V*- -^ c^^ 



a\^ •>-- -^ 






r.^^^ V -^ % ^^% 



->^' 



■r' 



- 



.0 









OO^ 



b 0^' 



^c<^~ 



-to » .>. 



^= ^*~^ 


•'''t.. 




y ^0^ ^ 


•^c^,. 




'.:>> 




•^ 










.A 






' 


'^ 


■\ 








•■>^" 








.#\ 








'%- 


.^'' - 










K: 


*'.r:>>^ %:^^rv^y ,. 


„ \ 






.^' %/ 








v^^ 


%■ s^' 'V 











^^. .oC^' 



:^''%.. .^^"^^. .S^%, 











% 


.^••^' 


"n^ 


V^' 


-A,^ 




7"' 


% 

'/;\ 


x^-^ 


^> 











•V,. v-*'^ 






'^ 


>'' 






x° 


c. 








■< 


I' ^ ■ 


., s^ H 




h 


'^V-, 


.^^- 



V 






^■c 'tf-. 



^-i 







"-.. V^^ 




■"o 0^ 


^^~^ 


'% 






x^"^ '^■t 


v^; 




Ai " ' O -y , 










N>\ 


^ 




%^^ : ■^^• 


■<^" 


*: 








% 


^ 


% 


s^' 

f 








: x° 


°^. 






X^°. 
























''f^ 






*■ 

















■' "fu- <y '^A <* 

0-. ,-0 



^V ./>. 



C 0~ 



:^: 



>-^ •%. 



.^^' 



' .. o S 



^ ^^ 






X r, 





-;,# 


>^^ 


■^^ 


\' 




•^-<. 
"^^. ,^\^ 










,'V 


.^^ 
















,,\- 



^^ 


.^^ 




%■ 


.c ■ 




..^ 


^. 














"f-j- 


r- 




■■^o<^ 




^ 






^^-\ 


"<^ 


% 










aV 


■p^ 











■- o 






» . , 1 ° 




■^,/ 






^''•-~V 








x^<=.. 





>o. .^' 



is- ^ .^^ - 






N^"^ 



N*'"\V«'i??C^ % ,v ' 



.1 



TRUE SONS OF THE CHURCH— I.OYAL CITIZENS OF THE REPUBLIC 



Cbe Cross and Che flag 

r^ r*^ Our Cburcb and Country 

HEROIC DEEDS FOR THE OLD FAITH AND THE NEW LAND 

FROM THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA :: :: :: :: ' 
TO THE DAWN OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY 



COMPRISING A FULL, TRUE, AND STRICTLY IMPARTLAL HISTORY OF THE 
UNITED STATES. BY THE GREAT HISTORIAN OF AMERICA 



JOHN GILMARY SHEA, LL.D. 

AUIIIOR OF 

"The Discovery of the Mississippi," "Early Voyages," "History of New France," "The Fallen Brave," " Novum 

Belgiam — An Account of New Netherland," "Operations of the I'rench Fleet," " The Lincoln Memorial," a Series 

of Grammars and Dictionaries of the Indian Languages. Contrihutor to the " American Encyclopedia." 

Member of the New England Historic Genealogical Society ; the Royal Academy of History, 

Madrid ; the New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Iowa, Wisconsin, 

Michigan, New Jersey, Missouri, Maryland, and other Historical Societies. 

WITH 

The Story of the Achievements of the Church and Her Sons in American 
History from Christopher Columbus to Archbishop Martinelli J- ^ J- ^ 

By Hon. JOHN L. MACDONALD 

iNB A.\ INTKODUL TOKV CHAPTER ON 

The Claims of the Church in the Making: of the Republic 
By His Eminence JAMES CARDINAL GIBBONS, D.D. 



PUBLISHED FOR 

THE CATHOLIC HISTORICAL LEAGUE OF AMERICA 



)C 



,^6P 



Washington's T^r^iblitc. 



" * * * I hope ever to see America the foremost nation in examples of 
justice and liberality. And I presume that your fellow-citizens will not forget the 
patriotic part which you took in the accomplishment of their revolution, and the 
establishment of their government ; or the important assistance they received 
from a nation in which the Roman Catholic faith is professed." — Gen. Washing- 
ton, replying to the congratulatory address of the Catholics of the United States. 



Copyrighted, 1899, 

f 

The Catholic Historical League of America. 



Printed and Bound bv The Office of Catholic Pidlications, 
457t 4S9. 461 West Broadway, New York. 



Publishers' Notice. 

^^IblFS ^'Ofk ivill ttot be offered for sale in Book-Stores. It is published exclusively 
^^ for subscribers, and can only be obtained by subscribing for it to a duly appointed 
representative 7uho has secured rights in the territory canvassed, and by paying, uiithout 
deviation, the publishers regular printed price of publication. 

It cannot be legally obtained by any other means or through any other source, and if 
so obtained, by collusion or otherwise, both the seller and purchaser become liable under re- 
cent decisions of t lie Federal Courts^ as the work is protected by the United States Copyright 
^'^'^^ TWO COPIES RBC -IVED. 










\ M'J: 










1 



^^^^^■^-^-..;,^^aa^-,^ 




Uko. CosMA.s, Hw l,iiM"ii l;^■'■ l:vriMii i'.Ko Imstachius. 

Rev. Peter Pal-l Coosey. \ kkv Kev. \V. i;nniiv. I'm-i i ...MMAMihii. Mr. W - A. (Jlmsted. 

Bro. BENEUirr. Bro. Ignatius. Hrh. John (_hrysc)stom. Bro. Agatho. 

NOTRE DAME'S G. A. R. POST, NO. 569, FORMALLY MUSTERED IN OCT. 5, 1897. 

Composed of iiieiiibers ..f The Coiifregatioii of The Holy Ciuss, University of Notre Dame, Imliaua. 



ANNOUNCEMENT. 



In the present work, the Publishers present a strictly impartial History of 
the United States, from the pen of the renowned Historian John Gilmary 
Shea, LL. D.,who has been recognized by all as a most eminent authority on 
Americana, as well as a writer of a pure and lucid style, and the most learned 
historian of the Church in America. Being a Catholic from Birth, Doctor 
Shea knew only too well how Catholics had suffered from misrepresentation in 
the historical literature of his time. He saw, perhaps, more than any one 
else, the need of a strictly impartial History of Our Country, for readers of 
every religious and political belief, and of every section of our Common 
Country. 

In Mr. Shea's pages in this volume, (107-998) the part taken by Catholics in 
establishing and maintaining political and religious liberty in this, his native 
land, is simply given its due proportion to other events, being only as fully 
related as the patriotic deeds of citizens of other religious beliefs. The same 
degree of fairness is shown in the treatment of the different political parties 
and sections of the country. Such impartiality, however, can not be credited 
to many of the so-called " Histories," a number of which up to the present 
time have gained the widest circulation, and their influence on the public 
mind still remains by far the predominating one. 

The Catholics of America have not always found it an easy task to place a 
true and impartial history of our country in the hands of their children, nor 
to secure for their libraries one of which they themselves could be proud. 
Many of the " Histories " offered, whether purposely or inadvertently, did in- 
justice to Catholics or their faith ; or, when well meaning, displayed such utter 
ignorance of the spirit and purpose animating the principal communion of 
Christians in the whole world, — and by far the greatest organized institution 
existing among men, — as to make them entirely unacceptable. 

This condition of affairs makes the " Introductory Chapters," from the pens 
of eminent and recognized Catholic authorities, a very necessary feature of 
the present volume ; for while Doctor Shea preferred to write a history of his 
Country that was for all alike, — true and faithful to historical fact, — the other 

I 



II ANNOUN'CEMENT. 

eminent writers employed themselves in attempting to undo the evil \\-ork of 
the biased and inaccurate literature of the past and present, specifically setting 
forth the noble work Catholics have done for America and freedom. There- 
fore, while Doctor Shea writes a history as it should be written, the authors 
of the Introductory Chapters, in a thoroughly American spirit, have engaged 
themselves in -undoing the mischievous work of the so-called "Histories" 
which never should have been written. These Chapters appropriately present 
the glorious achievements of a long line of noble Catholic patriots for Ameri- 
can History and Progress, from the day of the discovery of the Continent by 
Columbus, to our own time, setting forth deeds of Catholic valor and Patriotism 
as grand as any recorded in the annals of our Country's history ; which 
form inspiring examples for the emulation of all Americans, whether they be 
young or old, Catholic or Protestant, Jew or Gentile. 

THE AUTHOR AND HIS WORKS. 

In presenting this work to the public, the publishers deem it not inappro- 
priate to add a brief account of the author and his many productions, chief 
among which are those on American History. The following sketch is taken 
from The American Cyclopedia, with slight additions. It shows at a glance 
the author's eminent fitness to produce a work on American History that 
may be relied upon as authentic, interesting, and impartial, and we predict 
for it a welcome in the home of every lover of his country. 

John Gilmary Shea, LL.D., an American author, was born in New York, 
July 22, 1S24, of a family which came over to Massachusetts Bay with Win- 
throp, in 1630, the founder being Nicholas Upsal, the first great advocate of 
toleration in New England. He was educated at the Grammar School of 
Columbia College, in New York, under Prof. Charles Anthon, and was 
admitted to the bar, but has devoted himself to literature. He i:5 chiefly 
known for works on American History,, the most important of which are: 
" Tlie Discovery and E.xploration of the Mississippi Valley" (New York, 
1853); "History of the French and Spanish Missions among the Indian 
Tribes of the United States " (1S54 ; German translation, Wurzburg, 1S56); 
"The Fallen Brave" (1861) ; " Early Voyages up and down the Mississippi " 
(Albany, 1862); "Novum Belgium: an Account of New Netherland in 
1643-4 "(New York, 1862); "The Operations of the French Fleet under 
Count de Grasse " (1864V; " The Lincoln Memorial " (1865) ; and a transla- 
tion of Charlevoix's " History and General Description of New France" with 
extensive notes (6 vols. 8vo, 1866-72); Hennepin's "Description of Louis- 
iana ; " Le Clercq's " Establishment of the Faith " ; Pefialosa's " Expedition 



ANNOUNCEMENT. Ill 

to Quivira." He has edited the Cranioisy series of Relations and documents 
in French bearing on tlie early history of the French-American colonies (25 
vols., 1857-68] ; Washington's Private Diary (i 861); Colden's " History of the 
Five Indian Nations," edition of 1727 (1866); Alsop's " Maryland " (1S69). 
He is an authority in regard to the history and languages of the Indian 
tribes, and prepared the articles on those topics in Appleton's Cyclopedia. 
He prepared a series of Grammars and Dictionaries of the Indian languages 
(15 vols. Svo, 1860-74). He is known as a Bible student, and has published 
" Bibliography of Bibles and Testaments " (1859), corrected several of the very 
erroneous Catholic Bibles, and in 1871 revised by the Vulgate Challoner's 
Bible of 1750. He prepared and published at private subscription " The 
History of fhe Catholic Church within the present limits of the United 
States " (4 vols. 8vo). He also wrote " The Hierarchy of the Catholic Church 
in the United States," and many other works of permanent historical value. 
He edited for eight years The Historical Magazine, and has contributed 
largely to periodicals and publications of historical societies. For more than 
twenty years he occupied an editorial chair in New York City. 

His merit as a student has been acknowledged by our historical writers in 
general, many of whom have profited by his discoveries and investigations, 
and at the urgent solicitation of many of the most influential members of the 
American Hierarchy he was induced to accept the Presidency of The 
Catholic Historical Society. 

So impartial was he regarded as a writer that, in conjunction with the 
learned Presbyterian clergyman, Rev. Charles Hawley, of Auburn, he pre- 
pared a work on the early P>ench operations in New York State. 

Notices of Dr. Shea may be found in Appleton's Cyclopedia, Allibone's 
Dictionary, Duychinck's Cyclopedia. 

Dr. Shea became a member of the New York Historical Society (1845) \ of 
the Pennsylvania Historical Society (i860); of the American Ethnological 
Society (1865) ; Corresponding Member of the Maryland Historical Society 
(1855) ; of the Massachusetts Historical Society (1855) ; of the New England 
Historic-Genealogical Society (1859) ; of the Historical Society of Iowa (i860) ; 
of the Society Historique de Montreal (i860); of the Long Island Historical 
Society (i866); of the Rhode Island Historical Society (1869); of the 
Buffalo Historical Society (1876); Honorary Member of the Wisconsin His- 
torical Society (1854) ; of the Historical Society of Michigan (1857); of the 
New Jersey Historical Society (1865); of the Missouri Historical Society 
(1875); of the American Philological Association (1876), and of the Royal 
Academy of History in Madrid (1883). 



PREFACE 

To the True and Impartial History of the United States. 

To present the great facts of our country's history in an attractive 
and readable form has been the object of this work. That the His- 
tory of the United States is not more generally read arises from the 
fact that the works which ordinary readers find are overloaded with 
details and interrupted by tedious disquisitions. Others seem writ- 
ten from a sectional, political, or other standpoint, and the writer's 
prejudices are thrust before the reader at every page. 

The author has aimed to give the narrative clearness and simplic- 
ity, to be impartial, giving each part of the country an equal impor- 
tance, and equal justice ; and in the treatment of events, giving im- 
portance only to such as deserve it, in view of their bearing on the 
whole country. 

A History of the United States for the general public should be 
one to be read with equal interest in every State, by persons of every 
age. It should be as clear as the crystal waters of our purest streams, 
as solid and impartial as the great mountains that receive serenely 
the sunshine and the storm, and look calmly down on the quiet 
plain and the thunderous cataract. 

This volume may not fulfill all that is aimed at or desired, but it 
can claim to have made a step in the proper direction towards afford- 
ing a History of our country, readable, impartial, and accurate. 

John Gilmary Shea. 



CO:^TENTS. 



AXN-OUNCEIIENT, ........ I 

author's preface, ........ IV 



INTRODUCTORY CHAPTERS. 

I. THE CLAIMS OF THE CHURCH IN THE MAKING OF THE 

REPUBLIC. 

To tlie Cliiirch must be Attributed all that was doue in the New World — 
Catholic Pioneers — The First Great Explorers — Missions in the Northern 
States — The Church not Untrue to Her IMission of Teaching Nations — 
Catholic Literature in the Indian Tongues — Church foremost in the Revo- 
lution — Army swelled by Catliolics — Catholics the First to Proclaim Reli- 
gious Liberty — Irish contributed over 2,000,000 to the Country — Birth-rate 
in United States in Favor of Church — Property of Church not Wealth — 
Catholic Colleges — The School Question — Our Catholic Negroes — Char- 
ities and Charitable Institutions of the Church — Catliolic Societies — The 
Great Social Problem — A Great Evil — The Catholic Church — The Sunday 
Question — Catholic Total Abstinence — American Constitution in Harmony 
with Catholic Principles 

II. SOME CATHOLIC PAGES OF AMERICAN HISTORY. 

A Grand Temple of Liberty — Human Freedom — Lord Macaulay's Testimony 
— Two Great Ages of Civilization — A Catholic Discovery — The New 
World — Civil and Religious Liberty — The First Colonial Assembly — Testi- 
mony of Kearney — Roman Catholics of Marjdand — Testimony of Bancroft 
— Calvert, the Lawgiver — Testimony of Frost — Exemption from English 
Taxation — Lord Baltimore or Roo;er Williams — Toleration of Catholics — 

III 



IV CONTENTS. 

A Catholic Governor of New York — The " Charter of Liberty " — Catholic 
Missionaries and Explorers — The Franciscans and Dominicans — Bancroft's 
Testimony to La Salle — La Sueur follows La Salle — Catholic Patriots for 
American Liberty — Carroll of Carrollton — The Catholic Soldier in the War 
for Lidependence — Geu. Stephen Moylan — Washington's Tribute to 
Catholic Patriots — The Ursuline Nuns — The Catholic Soldier in the Civil 
■\Var — The Patriot Hero — Bayard Taylor's Testimony — Admirals Sands 
and Am men — Oldest Republic Catholic — Catholics Eminent iu Civil Life 
of our Republic — Catholics in the Arts, Sciences and Professions — A New 
Era — The Sisters among Wounded and Dying — A Mission of Gentleness 
and Mercy — Our Work the Heritage of all Americans — The Catholic 
Church— The Friend of Our Republic 29 

in. IN THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

The A. P. A. Bigots Refuted — Before War Was Declared — A Restored 
Union — Bishop Byrne Voices the Patriotic Sentiment of the Catholic 
Hierarchy — Bishop McQuaid's Address at the Silver Jubilee of Archbishop 
. Corrigan — Patriotic Utterances of Rev. Father Elliot — Catholics in the 
Navy— The Men of the " Maine " and Their Noble Chaplain— Father Chid- 
wick's Heroic Conduct — ^Five of the Seven Men Who Sauk the " Merriniac " 
Were Catholics — Heroic Conduct of Catholic Sailors on the Cruiser " New- 
ark " — Catholics in the Army — The Catholics of the United States Furnish 
More Than Their Quota in Both Branches of the Service — Close of the 
War — A Day of Thanksgiving Appointed 7G 

IV. THE CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN IN THE CIVIL WAR. 

A Sketch fff Father Corby— Ilis Work during Three Years— History of the 
Irish Brigade— The Sixty-ninth New York Infantry— Recollections of Gen. 
Francis Meagher— He is Wounded at Antietam— He Resigns after the Battle 
of Chancellorsville— A New Commander Leads the Brigade at Gettysburg 
— Absolution under Fire— Three Commanders of the Irish Brigade Killed 
in Battle— The Five Chaplains of the Brigade— Notre Dame sends Eight 
Chaplains — Archbishop Ireland aids the Cause — The Right Rev. Lawrence 
McMahon performs Chaplain Labor— Father Dillon's Temperance Work 
among the Soldiers— Nursed by the Sisters— Gen. Denis Burk Speaks of 
the Labors of Father Ouellet— The Rev. Paul Gillen as Chaplain— Father 
Egan as Chaplain— Father Egan Chaplain of the Ninth Mass. Regiment- 
He Describes a Military Execution— Father Corby's Description of a Mili- 
tarv Mass S'J 



CONTENTS. Xi 



PART V. 



THE REPUBLIC UNDER THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION AND UNDER 

THE CONSTITUTION. 

CHAPTER I. 

The Return to Peace — Articles of Confedei-ation — Treaties with Foreign Countries 
— Indian Nations — Northwest Ten-itory organized— A desire for a better Union 
— A Convention called — The new Constitution — It is accepted by eleven States 
— Close of the Continental Congress , 671 



CHAPTER II. 

George Washington President 1789-1797 —His Cabinet— Peace made with the 
Creeks and Cherokees — North Carolina and Rhode Island yield when treated as 
Foreign Countries — The National Debt — War with the Miamies and Western 
Tribes — Defeat of Greneral Harmar — Bank of North America — Vermont and Ken- 
tucky Admitted— St. Clair defeated by the Western Indians — Wasliington's Re- 
election — The French and their Ambassador, Grenet — Tlie Algerme Corsairs^ 
Wayne overthrows the Indians and concludes a Peace — The Wliisky Insurrec- 
tion — Indian Boundaries — Treaty with Spain — Tennessee admitted — Washing- 
ton's Farewell Address — He returns to Mount Vernon 678 



CHAPTER III. 

JOHN ADAMS, SECOND PRESIDENT— 1797-1801. 

Affairs mth France — Mississippi Territory organized — War with France on the 
Ocean — The Alien and Sedition Acts — Death of General Washington — Seat of 
Government removed to Washington— Indiana Territory organized— Close of 
the War with France— Adams defeated in the next election 600 

CHAPTER lY. 

THOMAS JEFFERSON, THIRD PRESIDENT-1801-1809. 

War against Tripoli — Purchase of Louisiana — Lewis and Clarke's Expedition to 
Oregon — Troubles with Florida— Burr's Conspiracy — English Outrages — Attack 
on the Chesapeake — New States and Territories 611 



SiM CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER V. 

JAMES MADISON, FOURTH PRESIDENT— 1809-1817. 

Ibouble in Pennsylvania — The President and Little Belt — Indian Troubles in ibe 
West — War with Ekigland — Hull's Surrender — Operations on the New York 
Frontiers — Queenstown, La CoUe — Victories at Sea — Proctor's Victories in the 
West — Repulsed at Fort Meigs — Toronto — The Niagara— Perry's Victory — Bat- 
tle of the Thames — Tecumseh slain — The Creek War — General Jackson — Battle 
of the Chippewa — Invasion of Maryland — Capture of Washington — English re- 
pulsed at Baltimore — Macomb and McDonough at Plattsburg — Jackson in Florida 
—Battle of New Orleans — Peace proclaimed — Final battles at Sea 618 

CHAPTER VI. 

JAMES MONROE, FIFTH PRESIDENT— 1817-1825. 

Indian Troubles — The Semiaoles— Seizure of Spanish Forts — Florida Ceded to the 
United States — The Treaty of Ghent— Alabama — Arkansas, Maine — The Mis- 
souri Compromise — Lafayette Revisits the United States — The Monroe Doctrine 
— ^West India Pirates Broken up 653 

CHAPTER VII. 

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, SIXTH PRESIDENT— 1825-1829. 

Internal Improvements — Death of Adams and Jefferson — Indian Troubles — Ma- 
sonic Excitement 660 

CHAPTER VIII. 

ANDREW JACKSON, SEVENTH PRESIDENT— 1829-1837. 

Striking Inauguration— A Bad Policy— Cherokee Difficulties— The United States 
Bank— Black Hawk War— NuUiflcation in South Carolina— Seminole War- 
Texas becomes an Independent Republic — Arkansas and Michigan Admitted— 
The Specie Circular. 662 

CHAPTER IX. 

MARTIN VAN BUREN, EIGHTH PRESIDENT -1837-1841. 

Bankruptcy caused by Speculation— The Independent Treasury — ^The Seminole 
War— Death of Osceola— Troubles in Canada— WQkes' Exploring Expedition— 
The Ma^ine Boundary 669 



CONTENTS. Xin 



CHAPTER X. 

WILLIAM HENRY HAJIRISON, NINTH PRESIDENT-1841. 
JOHN TYLER, TENTH PRESIDENT— 1841-1845. 

Mr. Tyler vetoes the United States Bank— The Mame Boundary— Rhode Island 
Troubles— Patroon Troubles— Native Americau Pai-ty- The Mormons— Annex- 
ation of Texas "• ^'^* 

CHAPTER XI. 

JAMES K. POLK, ELEVENTH PRESIDENT— 1845-1849. 

The Mexican War— Battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma— Battle of Monte- 
rey—Conquest of California and New Mexico— Santa Anna— Scott at Vera 
Cruz— Battle of Bueua Vista— Capture of Vera Cruz— Battle of Cerro Gordo— 
Puebla taken— Contreras and Churubusco— Battle of Chapultepeo— Mexico taken 
—Last Struggles of the Mexicans— Peace of Guadalupe Hidalgo— Close of Polk's 
Administi-ation 681 

CHAPTER XII. 

ZACHARY TAYLOR, TWELFTH PRESIDENT— 1849-1850. 
MILLARD FILLMORE, THIRTEENTH PRESIDENT— 1850-1853. 

Brief Administration of General Taylor — Admission of California — Fillmore as 
President — Lopez and the Cuban Affairs — Sioux Indians — Kossuth — Sir John 
Franklin and the Grinnell Expedition — Fishery Question — Death of Clay and 
Webster— The Telegraph 705 

CHAPTER XIII. 

FRANKLIN PIERCE, FOURTEENTH PRESIDENT— 1853-1857. 

The Mesilla Valley Difficulty — Growth of the Country— Walker and Nicaragua — 
The Ostend Manifesto— Kansas and Nebraska — The Dangerous Excitement as to 
the Growth of Slavery 712 

CHAPTER XIV. 

JAMES BUCHANAN, FIFTEENTH PRESIDENT- 1857-1861. 

Kansas — Its Civil War and final Admission as a Free State— Admission of other 
New States— Territories Organized — Party Violence — John Brown and Harper's 
Ferry — Four Presidential Tickets — Election of Abraham Lincoln — Secession of 
South Carolina and six other States — They form the Confederate States of 
America — Seizure of Forts — Anderson and Fort Sumter — The Ineffectual At- 
tempt to F':lieve it 716 



SaV CONTENTS. 



PART VI. 

THE GREAT CIVIL WAR— ABRAHAM LINCOLN, SIXTEENTH PRESI- 
DENT— 18G1-5— 1865. 

CHAPTER I. 

Affairs during the Spring and Summer of 1861 — Lincoln's Cabinet — Reorganization 
of the Government, Army and Navy — Attempt to relieve Sumter — Its Bombard- 
ment — The iii'st call for Troops — RepUes of the States — Blockade of the Southern 
ports — East Tennessee and West Vu'ginia for the Union — Missotu-i saved by 
Lyon's energy — First movement of United States TrooiJs — Ellsworth — McClellan 
in Western Virginia — Battles of Philippi, Rich Mountain, and Carrick's Ford — 
Big Bethel^Bull Run — General Lyon and the Battles of Carthage, Dug Spring, 
Wilson's Creek, and Lexington — First operations against the Coast of the Con- 
federate States 736 

CHAPTER II. 

The War in the West — Minor Operations — Battle of Belmont — Grant's Fu-st Action 
— Polk Crosses to ReUeve his Men — Desperate Fighting — Grant Succeeds in 
Reaching his Gunboats — The Port Royal Expedition — A Foothold in South 
Caroliaa — Operations with no Great Result— The Slidell-Mason Affair— Com- 
modore Wilkes— Attitude of the British Government— Slidell and Mason Given 
up— Pope's Missouri Campaign — The Confederate Line in the West — P'-epara- 
tions to Break it 750 



PART VI. 

THE CIVIL WAR CONTINUED— ABRAHAM LINCOLN, SIXTEENTH PRESI- 
DENT— 1861-5— 1865. 

CHAPTER III. 

BueU's Campaign— Battle of MiU Spring— ZoUicoflPer Defeated by Thomas and 
Killed — The Confederate Line Broken— Grant and Porter Move — Fort Henry 
Bombarded by the Fleet, and Reduced before Grant Arrives — The Army and 
Fleet Move upon Fort Donelson — The Fleet Repulsed with Loss — Grant's At- 
tack — Battle of Fort Donelson — Desperate Fighting — The Confederate Command- 
ers — Tlie Surrender of the Fort — The new Confederate Line — Island No. 10 Occu- 
pied by Them — It is Reduced — The War in Arkansas — Battle of Pea Ridge — 
Operations on the Coast — The Burnside Expedition — Capture of Fort Pulaski — 
Butler's Expedition to Louisiana 760 



CONTENTS. X\ 



CHAPTER IV. 



The rnvasion of New Mexico by Sibley— Canby's Defence — The Fleet on the Mis- 
sissippi^The Ram Fleet under Colonel Ellet — Memphis Yields — Butler's Louisi- 
ana Campaign— Farragnt's Naval Battle — Fort Jackson and Fort St. PhiUp — 
New Orleans Taken — The Fleet Ascends the River — First Operations against 
Vicksburg — The Chesapeake Naval Battle between the Merrimac and Monitor — 
The Confederate G-overnment — Stanton — Shields defeats Jackson — McClellan's 
Peninsula Campaign — The Battle of Pittsburg Landing 769 



CHAPTER V. 

McClellan's Campaign against Richmond — Operations in the Shenandoah Valley — 
The Seven Days' Battles— Mechanicsville— Fair Oaks— GaLues' Mill— White-Oak 
Swamp — Malvern Hill — McClellan Retb-es to Harrison's Landing — Halleck made 
Greneral-in-Chief — McClellan Embarks for the Potomac — Pope's Vauiglorious 
Promises — Banks Worsted at Cedar Mountain — Jackson in Pope's Rear— Second 
Battle of Bull Run — Pope not Supported by McClellan — He Retreats to Wash- 
ington and Resigns — Colonel Cautwell — Lee Entere Maryland — Outgenerals 
McClellan and takes Harper's Ferry — Battles of South Mountain and Antietam. 
— Lee Retreats — McClellan Pursues — He is Relieved 786 



CHAPTER VI. 

The Operations in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Mississippi — Advance of General Bragg 
—Battles of Richmond and Munfordsville— A Confederate Governor of Kentucky 
Inaugurated— Buell in the Field— Bragg Beaten at Perryville— Retreats thi'ough 

Cumberland Gap — Rosecrans Defeats Price at luka, and Van Dom at Corinth 

Rosecrans' Winter Campaign — Morgan's Raid — Bragg Defeated at Stone River 

Minor Operations qqq 



CHAPTER VII. 

Operations against Vicksburg— Grant's First Attempt Defeated by Van Dom's Cap- 
ture of Holly Springs— General Sherman Aided by Porter's Gunboats— Attempts 
to Storm it, but is Repulsed with Heavy Loss — Grant's Various Attempts— He 
goes down the River— Battles of Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion 
HQls, Big Black— Vicksbm-g Invested— Pemberton Surrenders— Grant drives 
Johnston from Jackson— Fight at Milliken's Bend— Operations in Louisiana and 

Texas under General Banks— His Repulse at Port Hudson — Second Attack 

Gardiner Surrenders — Minor Operations 809 



Xvi CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

The Army of the Potomac under General Burnside — He Crosses tlie Eappahannock 
and Attacks Lee's Position at Marye's Heights— He is Repulsed with heavy Loss, 
and Recrosses the River — Removed when about to Renew the Attack — General 
Hooker takes Command — He Crosses the Rappahannock — Battle of Chancellors- 
ville — His Right Wing turned by Jackson, who is Killed — Desperate Fighting — 
Hooker Stunned by a Cannon-ball at Chancellorsville — Sedgwick, Operathig be- 
low, Attacked by Lee's whole Force and Driven across the River — Hooker Re- 
crosses^Longstreet — Lee Flanks Hooker's Right — Milroy Surprised at Win- 
chester — Lee Crosses the Potomac — Hooker, unable to Obtaiu the Garrison of 
Hfarper's Ferry, Resigns — Meade placed in Command — Movements of the Ai'mies 
•Tbey come in Colhsion at Gettysburg — The Battle — General Reynolds KUled 
and his Corps Driven through the Town — Tlie Halt on Cemetery Hill— Sickles 
takes a wrong Position — Hancock — Meade Ai-rives— Sickles Driven back— The 
Terrible Charge of Lee's whole Line — Its Repulse — Lee Retreats — Manassas Gap 
:— Warren and Hill — The Armies Resume their old Positions — Mine Run — 
\>roop Mountain 816 

CHAPTEE IX. 

ffoi'gan's Raid through Indiana and Ohio — The War in Tennessee — Rosecrans 
flanks Bragg and di-ives him to Lafayette — Bragg Faces — Battle of Chickamauga 
— Rosecrans Defeated — Grant succeeds him — Bragg sends Longstreet against 
Bm-nside — Campbell's Station — ^Longstreet Repulsed — Cavalry Raids — Grant's 
Campaign — Hooker Crosses the Tennessee — Wauhatchie — Lookout MoimtaLa — • 
Mission Ridge — Sherman — Cleburne checks Hooker at White-Oak Ridge — 
Inoxville Relieved — The War in Missouri, Arkansas, and Indian Territory — 
Marmaduke at Springfield, Hartsville, Batesville, and Cape Gu-ardeau — Coffey's 
Operations— QuantreU's Cruelties — Indian Operations — The Sioux War 834 

CHAPTER X. 

Operations from North Carolina to Florida in 1862-3— Capture of Fort Pulaski— 
Jacksonville taken and abandoned— Hunter repulsed at Secessionville-^The 
Nashville— Dupont Repulsed — Ironclad Raid from Charleston— Attack on Fort 
Sumter— The Swamp Angel— Wagner taken— Hill at Newberne— Vallandig- 
ham's case— The Draft-Riots in New York— Negro Soldiers 854 

CHAPTER XI. 

Aji Offer of Amnesty — GUmore's Operations in Florida— Seymour defeated at Olus- 
tee — A Convention at Jacksonville in favor of the United States — Unsuccessful 
Operations in South Carolina— A Stirring Campaign in North Carolina on Land 
and Water— Banks' Red River Expedition— He retires— The Fleet carried over 
the Rapids by Engineering Skill — Operations in Texas and Arkansas —Rosecrans 
m ^Missouri- R-ice's last Attempt to carry the State— Battles at Pilot Knob, Little 
and Big Blue, T-Htle Osage and Newtouia 867 



CONTENTS. XVU 



CHAPTER XII. 

General Grant in Virginia— He takes Command of the Armies — The Army of the 
Potomac reorganized — KHpatrick sent against Richmond — Death of Dahlgren — 
Grant fights the Battle of the Wilderness — Spottsylvania— Hancock storms the 
Lines — His Captures — Sheridan and J. E. B. Stuart — Butler operating south of 
the James — Action at Port Walthall Junction — Beauregard attacks Butler — Gun- 
boats blown up — Grant at the North Anne — A sharp Action — Burnside defeated 
—Repulse at Cold Harbor — Butler's Operations against Petersburg — Meade at 
the Weklou Railroad — Defeat of Hancock and Gregg — Close of the Campaign of 
1864 — Jones and Avery in the Shenandoah Valley — Early threatens Wasliing- 
ton — Sheridan sent against him — Battles of Opequan and Fisher's Hill — Early 
surprises Crook at Cedar Creek — Sheridan's Ride — A Defeat turned into a Vic- 
tory by a single Man 88!i 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Sufferings of Prisoners — Andersonville — Forrest's Raids — He takes Fort Pillow — 
Fearful Atrocities — He routs Sturgis — Is beaten by A. J. Smith — Various Actions 
— Morgan's last Raid — Pursued and killed— Sherman's Campaign against John- 
ston — His thi'ee Ai-mies — Hooker takes Resaca — Davis takes Rone — Fight at 
Pumpkinvine Creek — New Hopes — Dallas — Allatoona — Sherman repulsed at 
Kenesaw — Again flanks Johnston — Hood supersedes Johnston — He twice attacks 
Sherman and is repulsed — Stoueman's Failure — Hardee defeated — Hood aban- 
dons Atlanta — Shei-man occupies it, and expels its Inhabitants — Hood endeavoi-s 
to draw Sherman out of Georgia — French defeated by Corae at Allatoona — 
Thomas sent to defend Tennessee — Sherman prepares to march to the Sea 90i? 



CHAPTER XIV. 

The Confederates on the Sea — The Oreto, Alabama, Floi-ida — Capture of the Reve- 
nue Cutter Chesapeake — Aid given by England and her Provmces — Captm'e of 
the Florida and Japan — Engagement between the Alabama and the Kearsarge — • 
The Alabama sunk — Farragut in Mobile Harbor destroys the Confederate Fleet . 917 



CHAPTER XV. 

The Presidential Election — Movements for Peace — The Negotiations at Hampton 
Roads — Forrest's last Raid — Hood advances, and Thomas falls back to Nashville 
— Bloody Battle at Franklin — The Battle at Nashville — Thomas attacks Hood on 
the right and left, and carries his fu-st Line — He storms Overton's Hill — Hood 
routed and driven across the Tennessee — Breckinridge driven into North Caro- 
lina— Saltville taken 922 



Xviii CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Sherman's Mai-ch to the Sea— Mode of Proceeding — Fights on the way — Before 
Savannah — Hazen storms Fort McAllLster — Sherman meets Foster and Dahlgren 
— Savannah evacuated — Sherman's Christmas-present to President Lincoln — 
Operations to co-operate with him — He crosses the Edisto — Actions at Branch- 
ville, Orangeburg, and on the Gongaree — Columbia surrendered — The Conilagi-a- 
tion — Hardee evacuates Charleston— The Stars and Stripes raised at Sumter — 
Sherman enters North Carolina — Fayetteville — Actions at Averysborough and 
Bentonville — Goldsborough — The Exi>editions against Fort Fisher — It is carried 
at last— Fall of Wilmington — Hoke's Repulse — Wilson's brilliant Cavalry Cam- 
paign in Alabama — Canby reduces Mobile 827 

CHAPTER XVII. 

The Close of the War — Grant begins operations — The Confederate Rams in the 
James — Sheridan in the VaUey again — He crushes Early — Wheels around Lee's 
Lines and reports to Grant — Lee's bold Dash — He takes Fort Steedman — Grant's 
Advance on the Confederate Lines — Sheridan at Five-Forks — General Assault 
by Grant — Forts Gregg and Alexander earned — Lee defeated, and A. P. Hill 
killed — He telegraphs to Davis that Richmond must be evacuated — The Confed- 
ei-ate Capital in Confusion and Flames — Weitzel enters it — Lee's Retreat — Sheri- 
dan heads him off — Grant pi'oposes a Surrender — Lee hesitates — Appomattox 
Court House — Surrender of Lee's Army of Virginia 936 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

Abraham Lincoln's Second Term — His Inauguration — He receives the News of the 
FaU of Richmond— He visits that City — His last Proclamations— He is assassi- 
nated in Ford s Theatre, Washington, by John Wilkes Booth— Simiiltaneous At- 
tempts to assassinate Mr. Seward, the Secretary of State — Death of Mr. Lincoln- 
Effect thi'oughout the Country— Its terribly disastrous Consequences to the South. 942 

CHAPTER XIX. 

ANDREW JOHNSON, SEVENTEENTH PRESIDENT -1865-1869. 
Sketch of President Johnson — His Inauguration — Investigation into Lincoln's As- 
sassination— -Pm-suit of Booth, his Capture and Death — The Attempt to Assassi- 
nate Mr. Sewai'd — A Conspiracy — Arrest of several — The bloody Court-martial — 
Hanging— The Conclusion of the War — The Surrender of Johnston— Other Con- 
federate Bodies — Jefferson Davis attempts to escape — Pursued and Captured — 
Imprisoned, but never tried— The Confederate Flag on the Ocean— The last of 
the British-buUt Ships.— President Johnson and Congress — Their diflPerent Views 
as to the Treatment of the South— A Series of Collisions- Bitter Feeling of the 
Republican Party against the Man whom they had raised to Office — President 
Johnson's Vetoes — Congress disregards them — Assumes to be the Government — 
One House of Congress impeaches the President, whom they had treated with 
every Dishonor — The other tries him — The great Impeachment Trial — Acquittal 
of the President — The South ruined by oppressive Reconstruction Acts — Fenian 
Affairs — Attempts to invade Canada — Prompt Action of Government — The At- 
lantic Cable — Close of Johnson's Administration 946 



CONTENTS. XiX 

CHAPTER XX. 

ULYSSES S. GRANT, EIGHTEENTH PRESn)ENT— 1869-1877. 

President Grant — His Cabinet — Reconstruction of Virginia — Mississippi and Texas 
— The Fifteenth Amendment — Proposed Annexation of St. Domingo— The great 
Conflagration at Chicago — Settlement of the Alabama Claims — The Presideaitia 
Election — Death of Mr. Greeley— The Modoc War — Ti-ouble with Spain in regard 
to the Seizm-e of the Virginius and Miirder of her Crew and Passengers at Santi- 
ago de Cuba — The Louisiana Troubles — Centennial Exliibition at Philadelphia 
— Colorado admitted as a State — Trial of Belknap, Secretary of War — Nez Perces 
and Sioux War— Presidential Election — Disputed States — Electoral Commission. 96S 

CHAPTER XXI. 

RUTHERFORD B. HAYES, NINETEENTH PRESIDENT— 1877-1881. 

His Cabinet— Concihatory Policy toward the South— Financial Troubles— Strikes 
and Riots— The House of Representatives resists the use of Military Power at 
Elections— The Ute War— The Yellow Fever— The Chinese Question — Decrease 
of the Debt— Presidential Election 979 

CHAPTER XXII. 

JAMES A. GARFIELD, TWENTIETH PRESIDENT— 1881. CHESTER A 
ARTHUR, TWENTY-FIRST PRESIDENT— 1881-1885. 

Garfield's Cabinet — Difficulty as to New York Appointments — He is Shot by Guiteau 
— His Sufferings and Death — Foreign Sympathy — Arthur's Policy — Trial of 
Guiteau — Apportionment of Representatives — The Suppression of Polygamy in 
Utah — A_rctic Explorations — The Brooklyn Bridge — Election of Cleveland. . . 983 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

GROVER CLEVELAND, TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT— 1885. 

His Cabinet— Gen. Gmnt put on Retired List— His Death at Mt. McGregor — Mas- 
sacre of Chinese — International Association of the Congo— Rights of American 
Fishermen questioned by Canada— Death of Vice-President Hendi-icks — The 
"Knights of Labor"— The Labor Party — Agitation of the Land Question — 
Labor Agitation m Chicago — Dynamite Bombs tlirown by Anarchists— Trial 
and Execution of theLr Leadei's— President Cleveland's Message to Congress — 
Succession to the Pi-esidency m case of death or disability of the Vice-President — 
"' Liberty Enlightening the World "—Interstate Commerce Act — The Charleston 
Earthquake— Centennial of the Ado])tion of the Federal Constitution — Presiden- 
tial Campaign of 1888 — The Candidates — Free Trade or Protection an Issue — 
Canadian Fishery Treaty rejected by the Senate— Dismissal of the British 
Minister — Congress passes an Act to admit four new States — Demise of many dis- 
tinguished men 98? 



XX C0XTENT5. 

CHAPTER XXIV, 

BENJAMIN HARRISON, TWENTY-THIRD PRESIDENT— 1889. 

The Cabinet of President Harrison— Cyclone at Apia-Samoa — Creation of Four 
New States — First Session of Pan-American Congress— Death of Generals 
Terry, Sherman, Johnston and Admiral Porter — Trouble with Chili— Ship 
" New York " Launched — Celebration in Honor of Columbus — Death of Gen. 
Butler, Hon. Jas. G. Blaine and Gen. Beauregard — Protectorate Declared at 
Hawaii — Election of Cleveland. 997 

CHAPTER XXV. 

GROVER CLEVELAND, TWENTY-FOURTH PRESIDENT, 1893.— HIS 
SECOND ADMINISTRATION. 

Cabinet Appointed — Naval Display on the Atlantic Coast — President Cleveland 
Opens the World's Columbian Exposition — Infanta Eulalia Entertained — 
President Cleveland's Message to Congress — United States Warships take 
part at the Opening of the Canal at Kiel, Germany — Utah Admitted to the 
Union — Provisional Government Established in Cuba — Money Appropriated 
by Congress to Defray Joint Expenses of the International Commission En- 
gaged in Locating Boundary Line between the Territory of Alaska and British 
North America — The Chinese Viceroy, Li Hung Chang, a Guest of the Nation 
— Republican National Convention Declares for a Protective Tariff — Demo- 
cratic National Convention Favors the Free Coinage of Silver — McKinley 
Elected — McKinley Inaugurated — In Inaugural he Recommends a Currency 
Commission and International BLmetalism. 1006 

SUPPLEMENT. 

THE 'OTAR WITH SPAIN. 
"WILLIAM McKINLEY, TWENTY-FIFTH PRESIDENT, 1897. 

Special Session of Congress — Dedication of General Grant's Tomb — Cuban 
Question in Congress — Diplomatic Correspondence with Spain — Annex- 
ation of Hawaii— Death of " Mother McKinley "—The Situation in Cuba 
— The DeLome Letter — The Tragedy of the Maine — Action in Congress — 
American Intervention — Active Preparations for War — Declaration of War 
— Battle at Manila — Heroism of Lieut. Hobson — Battle at Guantanamo — 
Destruction of Spanish Fleet — Surrender of Santiago — Invasion of Porto 
Rico — Negotiations for Peace — Cessation of Hostilities — Affairs in 
Manila — Surrender of the City — Orders to Spanish Troops at Manila. 1 



INTRODUCTORY. 



The Claims of the Catholic Church in the Making 

of the Republic. 



BY 

HIS EMINENCE JAMES CARDINAL GIBBONS. D. D. 



First in discovery, first in the establisliment of Christianitj', first in tlie organization of civil 

government, first in proclaiming religious toleration, first and unanimous 

in the support of Washington. 

The United States grew out of the colonies established on the 
Atlantic seaboard, and also out of those portions of the continent 
that were purchased from European countries and gained by conquest. 
To state fully that the Catholic Church has contributed to the mak- 
ing of the United States, it is necessary to state what she has done, 
not only since, but also before the act of Independence, in the terri- 
tories now comprised in the Union. Has she helped to break the 
ground as well as to plant and foster the growth of the tree of liberty ? 



2 THE CLAIMS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 

TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH MUST OF NECESSITY BE ATTRIBUTED ALL 
THAT WAS DONE IN THE NEW WORLD. 

since Columbus until the rise of the Reformation. After the event 
of Protestantism in the world she did not cease her work in this con- 
tinent; but it has been fertilized by the sweat and blood of Catholic 
explorers, founders of colonies and missionaries, not only in South 
America — which field, however, I leave aside as being out of our 
theme — but also from the Canadian borders to the southern most 
coast of Florida, from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean. 

CATHOLIC PIONEERS. 

All over these United States you will meet the monuments of 
their passage. The work of the Catholic Church in this land during 
this period might be distributed under the following heads : Discov- 
erers, Founders of Colonies, Explorers, Missionaries, Writers. Of 
course a full treatment of this matter is beyond the limits of this pa- 
per. I can only make a few suggestions. 

De Soto discovered the Mississippi and named it in honor of the 
Holy Ghost. Marquette threaded it for a great distance and dedi- 
cated it to the Immaculate Conception. Hennepin ascended to the 
Falls which he named in honor of St. Anthony of Padua. Ponce de 
Leon named Florida to commemorate its discovery on the Feast of 
the Resurrection. Ayllon named the Carolinas the land of St. John 
the Baptist, and bestowed on the Chesapeake the name of St. Mary. 
New Mexico bears the name given by a Catholic missionary 300 
years ago. In one word they were Catholic navigators, who gave 
Catholic names to river, bay, promontory, cape, from the river of St. 
John in the south to the river St. Lawrence in the north. 

Maryland counts among her founders the Catholics Sir George 



IN THE jMAKING OF THE REPUBLIC. 3 

Calvert, Lord Baltimore, Sir Tliomas Arundel. The Catholic Col- 
ony of Maryland was the first home on this continent of civil and 
religious liberty. Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles was the founder 
of a colony in Florida ; Antoine de la Motte Cadillac the founder of 
a colony in Michigan ; Vincennes the founder of a colon\- in Indiana ; 
La Salle, of a colony in Illinois ; St. Ange, of a colony in Missouri ; 
Touti, of a colony in Arkansas ; Iberville, of a colon)- in Louisiana; 
Sauville, of a colony in Mississippi ; Bien\'ille, the founder of Mo- 
bile ; Don Juan de Onate, of New Mexico ; Don Caspar de Portola, 
of California. 

THE FIRST GREAT EXPLORERS 

were Champlain, who named the lake in \'ermont ; Pierrot and 
Nicollet, on the upper lakes; Duluth, on Lake Superior; Louis 
Joliet, Robert Cavelier de la Salle, La Verendrye, Coronado, Font, 
Garces, Kulin, Saint Denys, in other parts of the land. By these 
men the valley of the great lakes, the valley of the Mississippi and 
the plains to the Gulf of California were made known before the 
English colonists had any definite knowledge beyond the Alleghanies. 

Not only were Catholics the first explorers, but they were the first 
geologists and botanists of the territory within the limits of the pres- 
ent United States. Le Moyne found the salt springs of Onondaga, 
the Franciscan Joseph de la Roche d'AUion the oil springs of Penn- 
sylvania, Jesuits the copper of Lake Superior and the lead of Illi- 
nois, a Jesuit identified the ginseng, Hennepin was one of the first 
to note our beds of coal. Father Mare the mines of turquoise. 

This is but an incomplete list of explorations made by the Catho- 
lics before the Revolution. It proves, however, that they had left no 
important portion of our territory hidden and unknown from Europe ; 



4 THE CLAIMS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 

their reports and relations of their voyages are the evidence of their 
discoveries. 

Catholic priests came with Columbus and his followers in transat- 
lantic voyages. A priest sailed with Cabot from Bristol in 1498. 
Missionaries came with Ponce de Leon in 152 1 to minister to the in- 
tended settlements in Florida and to labor for the conversion of the 
Indians. 

In 1526 two friars of the Order of Saint Dominic came with the 
colony of Vasquez d'Ayllon, established at or near the site of James- 
town, Va., which settlement was afterward abandoned. In 1538 
eight priests came with De Soto and perished in the marches of that 
discoverer across the continent. In 1542 the Franciscan Juan de 
Padilla began a mission among the Indians of New Mexico and fell a 
martyr to his zeal. The mission, however, was re-established and 
kept up by the Franciscans. In 1696, five were massacred ; in 175 1, 
many Catholic Indians were killed by their pagan fellows, and the 
missions were destroyed. 

In 1702, the Jesuit Nicholas Foucault was murdered by Indians on 
his way from Arkansas to Mobile. In 1729, the Jesuit Du Poissen 
and with him a lay brother was murdered while going to New Orleans. 
The Jesuit Antonius Senat, chaplain to Vincennes, was burned at the 
stake by Chickasaws in Mississippi, Palm Sunday, 1736. Three 
Dominicans, Luis Cancer, Diego de Tolosa, Juan Garcia, were mas- 
sacred by Florida Indians in 1549. Pedro Menendez founded St. 
Augustine, Fla., in 1565, and with him were Franciscans, Jesuits, and 
a secular priest, Mendoza Grajales. 

A year after the founding of St. Augustine, a Jesuit, Pedro Mar- 
tinez, was killed by the Indians at Cumberland. In 1571, two Jesuit 



V 



IN THE MAKING OF THE REPUBLIC. 5 

fathers, J. B. de Segura and Luis de Ourios with four lay brotliers 
were butchered on the banks of the Rappahannock, Va. In 1597 
four Franciscans were slain in Florida, and one, Francesco de Velas- 
cola, in Georgia, while Francesco de Avila was enslaved by the sav- 
ages. 

The labors of these missionaries were not without fruit for the 
time being, but we must confess that the results were not permanent. 
The natives associated with the religion preached by them the greed 
and cruelties of the Spanish invaders. At this period, as in later 
times, the Christians themselves were the obstacle to the success of 
the missions among the red men. 

In New Mexico a better result seems to have been gained down 
to the middle of the seventeenth century, when the Indians, exas- 
perated by the conduct of the Spanish Governor and excited to fanati- 
cism by the medicine men, turned on the Spaniards and slew 21 
Franciscans. In 1682 three priests left by La Salle at the mouth of 
the Mississippi were massacred. In 1721 brother Jose Pita was 
slain in Texas, and in 1752 Jose F. de Ganzabel at San Ildcfonso in 
the same state ; in 1757, Father Silva, near the Rio Grande, and in 
1758 Fathers Terreros and Santiesteban and Melina at the Apache 
mission. 

THE MISSIONS IN THE NORTHERN STATES. 

The history of the missions in the Northern States is not quite so 
early, but is of more interest to us and is better known. In 1604 a 
chapel was built on De Moorts or Neutral Island, in the present 
State of Maine. The settlers were removed the following year to 
Nova Scotia. In 1611 Father Biard offered Mass on an island in the 



6 THE CLAIMS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 

mouth of the Kennebec. Two years later, in the attack made on 
La Saussaye's settlement, near Mt. Desert, Fathers Biard, Ouentin 
and Masse suffered various fates. In 1641 Isaac Jogues and Charles 
Raymbault planted the cross at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. Jogues was 
massacred in 1649, near Auriesville, Montgomery County, N. Y., by 
the Mohawks. 

In 1680 the Franciscan Gabriel de la Ribourde was slain by the 
Kickapoos in Illinois. In 1706 Constantine DeshuUes was shot by 
the Ottawas while engaged in a mission of peace to that tribe from 
the Miamis. In 1728 Louis Guigras was captured by Indians near 
Lake Pepin, and was saved from death by adoption into the tribe. 
In 1736 Peter Aulneau was slain at the Lake of the Woods. In 
1724 I""ather Rale was slain by the English and the Mohawks at 
Norridgewock. 

Few of these missions had any permanency for the same reasons 
that rendered the work of the missionaries ineffective in the Spanish 
Colonies. The whites with their vices undid what the missionaries 
with their heroic and disinterested zeal tried to do. Such we know 
is the state of things to-day in our Indian missions. The conversion 
of the barbarian races in the early centuries of Christianity was ef- 
fected under quite other conditions. 

THE CHURCH HAS NOT BEEN UNTRUE TO HER MISSION OF TEACHING 

NATIONS 

nor has she at any time failed to find apostles ready at her call : but 
Christian peoples and Governments, instead of seconding her efforts, 
have put obstacles in her way, seemingly more intent on selfish aims 
than on the spread of truth and the salvation of souls. On them, 
not on her, rests the responsibility of failure in gaining to Christianity 



IN THE MAKING OF THE REPUBLIC. 7 

the aborigines of this continent. Future history will count our In- 
dian wars and our Indian policy a sad commentary on our Christian 
civilization. 

Naturally those discoverers, founders of colonies, explorers and 
missionaries, must have left behind them a very large amount of lit- 
erature concerning the countries now comprised within the United 
States. It would be a very difficult task to make out a complete 
bibliography of American literature before the Revolution ; this 
much is certain at first sight, the largest share of such literature must 
fall to the credit of Catholic writers. The introduction to the first 
volume of the " Narrative and Critical History of America," edited 
by Justin Winsor, deals with Americana in Libraries and Bibliograph- 
ies, and with Early Descriptions of America ami Collective Accounts 
of the early Voyages thereto. For further information on this point 
I refer the reader to this most learned work. 

However, to give an idea of the vast amount of literature that had 
been produced on America before the period of the Revolution, I 
transcribe one item from page 4 of the above-named introduction. 

" M. Terneaux Compans, who had collected — as Mr. Brevoort 
thinks — the most extensive library of books on America ever brought 
together, printed his ' Bibliotheque Americaine' in 1837 at Paris. It 
embraced 1,154 works arranged chronologically, and all of them of a 
date before i 700." 

CATHOLIC INDIAN LITERATURE. 

Take one item alone, works written on or in the Indian languages 
by Catholic missionaries, a long catalogue might be made out. I 
will name a few : Works in the Timaquan language of Florida, b}- 



8 THE CLAIMS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 

Father Francis Pareya, O. S. F., printed between 1612 and 1627, in- 
cluding a grammar, catechism, prayers ; Sagard's Wyandot Diction- 
ary, 1632 ; Father White's books on the Maryland language, written 
soon after 1634; Bruya's Mohawk works, the Onondaga Dictionary, 
Garnier's Seneca and Cayuga books. Rales' Abnaki Dictionary, Le 
Boulanger's Illinois Dictionary and Catechism, Garcia's Texan Man- 
ual, the works of Sitjar, Cuesta and other California missionaries. 

All these were published before the independence of the Colonies. 
Works of the same kind by Catholic missionaries since the Revolu- 
tion down to the present day would swell the list to an inconvenient 
length. When came the uprising of the Colonies and the war for 
independence, our country stood in need of loyalty in the masses, 
statesmanship in the leaders, money in the treasury, and fighting 
men in the field. Out of a population of 3,000,000 at that time the 
Catholic Church counted not more than 30,000 members. How- 
ever, of loyalty, statesmanship, money and men she furnished more 
than her share. 

FOREMOST IN THE REVOLUTION. 

I leave aside the help that France and Spain gave to the strug- 
gling colonies, and speak only of what our Catholic forefathers at 
home did for their country. Their loyalty to their native land was 
not and has never been questioned ; Toryism was not found among 
them; they had fled English misrule and tyranny, they were anxious 
to break off entirely with the land that only by a misnomer could be 
called the Mother Country. 

Although Catholics had fared ill at the hands of their fellow- 
colonists ; although in all the colonies they were oppressed with un- 



IN THE MAKING OF THE REPUBLIC. 9 

just penal laws; although on the very eve of the War of Independ- 
ence an outbreak of bigotry ran through the land on the occasion of 
the compliance of England to the treaty with France, in virtue of 
which, religious liberty and protection were guaranteed to Canada; 
although Methodists, with John Wesley, sided with England, and a 
very large portion of the Episcopalians took the same course, and 
Quakers, conscientiously averse to war, remained neutral, the Cath- 
olics spontaneously and universally adhered to the cause of inde- 
pendence. 

Every Catholic was a Whig. Look into Sabine's " American Loy- 
alists" (Boston, 1847). You will find there not one single Catholic 
name. Catholic Indians were animated with the sentiments of their 
white corelicjionists, and in the North and in the West, under the 
lead of their own or Canadian chiefs, took the field against England 
in the cause of liberty. Canada without a doubt would have thrown 
her lot in with ours at that period had not New York politicians, 
led by John Jay, drawn the Continental Congress into the fatal mis- 
take of denouncing the Canadians and their religion for the liberty 
England had granted them. As it was, the men of Saint Regis 
marched forth under Captain Lewis, and the army counted two regi- 
ments of soldiers from Canada. 

Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana, Illinois, furnished 
Catholic recruits out of all proportion to their number in the total 
population. The failure of the British to raise a Catholic regiment 
during their occupation of Philadelphia, in spite of extraordinary in- 
ducements, is evidence of the deep patriotism of the Catholic popu- 
lation in those days. Although before the war Catholics were de- 
barred from holding a commission in the militia, yet many speedily 



lO THE CLAIMS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 

rose to high positions in the Continental army, and were among the 
most trusted of Washington's aids. The roll of those Catholic offi- 
cers is a long and glorious one. 

On the seas the great Commodore of our Navy was saucy Jack 
Barry ! To detach him from the American cause Lord Howe offered 
him 15,000 guineas and the command of the best frigate in the Eng- 
lish Navy. " I have devoted myself," w^as the answer, " to the cause 
of America, and not the value and command of the whole British 
fleet can seduce me from it." 

Not only in the field and on the quarterdeck, but also in the 
council-room did Catholics have worthy and remarkable representa- 
tives. These put at the service of their country not only their wis- 
dom but their wealth. Charles Carroll, of Carrollton ; his cousin, 
Daniel Carroll, a brother of Archbishop Carroll, Thomas Fitzsim- 
mons, a wealthy merchant of Philadelphia, and Thomas Sim Lee 
were members of the Continental Cong^ress and sisfners of the 
Declaration of Independence. 

The Catholics of that day were as one to sixty in numbers. Both 
in council, and especially in war, they contributed far beyond their 
share in the winning of liberty and the forming of this country. 
One of the reasons Benedict Arnold gave for his treason was that 
his zeal for Protestantism would not permit him to remain in a ser- 
vice which constantly brought him in contact with Roman Catholics. 
After the election of Washington to the Presidency an address on 
behalf of the Catholics of the country was presented to him signed 
by Rev. J. Carroll, Charles Carroll, Daniel Carroll, Thomas Fitz- 
simmons and Dominick Lynch. In his reply to this address Wash- 
ington concluded with these words : " I hope ever to see America 



IN THE MAKING OF THE REPUBLIC. II 

among the foremost nations in examples of justice and liberty. And 
I presume your fellow-citizens will not forget the patriotic part 
which you took in the accomplishment of their Revolution and the 
establishment of their Government, or the important assistance 
which they received from a nation in which the Catholic faith is 
professed." 

When the Father of his Country came to the end of his glorious 
life Archbishop Carroll in a circular letter to his clergy, dated Dec. 29, 
1799, thus writes : " We Roman Catholics, in common with our fel- 
low-citizens of the United States, have to deplore the irreparable 
loss our country has sustained by the death of that great man who 
contributed so essentially to the establishment and preservation of 
its peace and prosperity. We are, therefore, called upon by every 
consideration of respect to his memory and gratitude for his services 
to bear a public testimony of our high sense of his worth when liv- 
ing and our sincere sorrow for being deprived of that protection 
which the United States derived from his wisdom, his experience, his 
reputation, and the authority of his name." 

THE ARMY SWELLED BY CATHOLICS. 

In all subsequent wars that our country has had to undergo the 
American armies have swarmed with Catholic soldiers, and have pro- 
duced a long line of officers who have reached the highest position of 
■command. Of the service of Catholics in our late civil war I need not 
speak ; the memory of them is living in the land. 

Not only Catholic soldiers and sailors, officers and chaplains, but 
also our Sisters of Charity, on the field and in the hospital, have 
proved our loyalty to the country and demonstrate better than many 



12 THE CLAIMS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 

words, long statistics and eloquent description what the Church has 
done for the United States in the trying days of the fratricidal war. 
Catholics were then i-i20th of the whole population. Our contribu- 
tion to the armies raised was far beyond that proportion. But it is 
not necessary to insist ; no one questions the service we rendered then. 

It is well known that in the war of 1812 the Catholics of New Or- 
leans welcomed back to the city the victorious hero of the battle 
that decided the fortunes of that crisis, General Jackson, and in his 
presence celebrated in the Cathedral a solemn service of thanksgiv- 
ing to Almighty God. 

Just as in the War of Independence Rev. John Carroll, afterward 
first Bishop of Baltimore, went on a political mission with the com- 
missioners appointed by Congress to secure the neutrality of Canada, 
so also in our civil war Archbishop Hughes, of New York, and 
Bishop Domenec, of Pittsburgh, performed confidential missions to 
European powers, and it is certain that Archbishop Hughes secured 
the neutrality of France and Bishop Domenec that of Spain. 

The Catholics came out of the struggle for independence a hundred 
years ago with an honorable record. It is a remarkable coincidence 
that the organization of the American Church, begun in the appoint- 
ment of John Carroll to the See of Baltimore, was contemporaneous 
with the organization of the United States, completed for the time 
being by the election of George Washington to the Presidency. 

CATHOLICS THE FIRST TO PROCLAIM RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. 

The struggle had educated the American people up to the idea 
and understanding of religious liberty. Laws discriminating against 
Catholics disappeared from the statute books of most of the States, 



IN THE MAKING OF THE REPUBLIC. I3 

and liberty of worship gradually was proclaimed everywhere. The 
two clauses of the Constitution, one providing that " Congress shall 
not require any religious test as a qualification for office under the 
United States," and the other providing that "Congress shall make 
no laws respecting an establishment of religion, or forbidding the free 
exercise thereof," exerted a powerful moral influence on the States 
and infused a new spirit into their several constitutions. 

On the other hand, the dominant idea in the mind of Bishop Carroll, 
•who was as great a statesman as he was a churchman, an idea that 
has remained the inspiration of the Church, and has dictated all her 
policy of the last century, as recorded in the legislation of the three 
National Councils of Baltimore, was absolute loyalty to the letter and 
the spirit of the Constitution of the United States. 

Bishop Carroll did not wish to see the Church vegetate as a delicate 
exotic plant. He wished it to become a sturdy tree, deep rooted in 
the soil, to grow with the growth and bloom with the development of 
the country, inured to its climate, braving its storms, invigorated by 
them and yielding abundantly the fruits of sanctification. His aim 
was that the clergy and people should be thoroughly identified with 
the land in which their lot is cast ; that they should study its laws and 
political constitution, and be in harmony with its spirit. From this 
mutual accord of Church and State there could but follow beneficent 
effects for both. 

1 have already stated what the Church did for the country in times 
of war. I now go on to outline briefly what benefits she has bestowed 
in the fairer fields of peace, education, industry, benevolence. These 
are the proper fields for her action. In these lie her nobler triumphs 
and greater gifts to man. 



14 THE CLAIMS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 

Among the greatest services that may be rendered to a nation is the 
increase of its industrial and producing population — of that class 
which by labor and thrift contribute to the growth not only of the 
numbers but also of the wealth of the country. In 1776 the Catho- 
lics were 25,000 or 1-120 of the entire population ; in 1790 they were 
32,000 or 1-107 of the population. 

Progressively they grew in numbers until to-day they are at least 
10,000,000, or almost one-sixth of the population. During 30 years 
prior to 1S76 the 

IRISH CONTRIBUTED OVER 2,000,000 TO THE COUNTRY. 

The Germans come next, but for some years the emigration from Ger- 
many outnumbers that from the British Isles ; a large proportion of 
the German contingent is Catholic. 

At the present time the Italian and Hungarian arrivals are more 
numerous combined than either the Irish or the German taken singly. 
Besides immigration, there have been other sources of increase which 
must be credited to the Catholic element ; accessions by the annexa- 
tion of Louisiana, California, Texas and New Mexico, and the birth- 
rate. 

THE BIRTH-RATE IN THE UNITED STATES IS ALL EST FAVOR OF THE 

CHURCH. 

The Irish, the Catholic Germans and the Canadians are proverbially 
prolific ; and there are other reasons, which we may not enter upon 
here, and which point to an entirely disproportionate increase of 
Catholics in the near future. 

This is especially remarkable in the New England States. During 
the late heated controversy upon the school question in INIassachusetts, 



IN THE MAKING OF THE REPUBLIC. 1 5 

a Protestant writer in one of the leading magazines counseled moder- 
ation to her co-religionists, on the ground that Catholics would soon 
make the laws of Massachusetts. Their birth-rate in that State was 
to that of Protestants in the proportion of four and a half to one ; and 
the example of Massachusetts would appear to be finding imitation 
through the States. 

The increase of clergy and churches has kept pace with the increase 
of population. In 1790 we had one Bishop, 30 priests and a propor- 
tionate number of churches. To-day we count 13 Archbishops, jT) 
Bishops, 8,332 priests, 7,523 churches. 

It goes without saying that a certain amount of property is nec- 
essary to the carrying on of the Church's work, and that such prop- 
erty must have grown apace with our numbers. 

THE PROPERTY OF THE CHURCH IS NOT WEALTH, 

strictly speaking, if by wealth is understood accumulated or surplus 
capital. We cannot be said to have wealth, since our churches, our 
educational ^nd charitable establishments are not sufficient for our 
numbers, and are yet in a struggle for bare e.xistence. 

What may be the value of the property held by the Catholic 
Church to-day we have no certain means of telling, and await with 
some curiosity the verdict of the late United States census on that 
point. Individual Catholics, though not reckoned among the great 
millionaires of the land, have grown wealthy, 

OUR CATHOLIC COLLEGES. 

One hundred years ago, when Georgetown College was founded, 
$100 was considered a munificent donation ; a few years ago, when 
the Catholic University was founded in Washington, donations of 



r6 THE CLAIMS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 

$10,000, $20,000, $50,000, $100,000, and one single donation of 
$300,000 were forthcoming. In St. Paul, Minn., a man, a Protestant 
himself, yet the husband of a Catholic and the father of a Catholic 
family, made to Archbishop Ireland the princely gift of $500,000 for 
an ecclesiastical institute of learning. 

In 1789 there was but one Catholic educational house in the land, 
Georgetown College. To-day there are 35 ecclesiastical seminaries 
for the training of candidates to the priesthood, 102 colleges, and 
about 635 female academies. This vast system of secondary educa- 
tion, is crowned by a National school of the highest grade, the Cath- 
olic University of America, lately opened at Washington, as yet in 
an infant and incomplete condition, but destined in a short time to 
be a crowning and completing of all the branches of learning begun 
in the primary and pursued further in the secondary schools of the 
Catholic educational system. For if the Church in this land has 
such a system, it is forced to it by the necessities of the case. 

THE SCHCXDL QUESTION, 

I go into no controversial considerations ; I simply state a fact ; 
the public school as now conducted, admirable as it certainly is in 
point of instruction, cannot satisfy the Catholic idea of education. 
Catholics, therefore, are driven to the hard necessity of fostering a 
system of Catholic primary schools — a hard necessity since they 
must add to the taxes they pay to the public school system of the 
country large contributions for the building and running of their own 
schools. Thereby they are rendering to their country a double ser- 
vice. 

For every child they educate in the Catholic schools they spare to 



IN THE MAKING OF THE REPUBLIC. I 7 

the State a proportionate expense. To every child they educate in 
the Catholic schools they impart the essential principles of good cit- 
izenship, religion and morality. I prove this latter assertion by 
words of George Washington : 

" Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political pros- 
perity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain 
would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to 
subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props 
of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician equally with 
the pious man ought to respect and to cherish them. **=!-- ^^ j 
let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be 
maintained without religion. 

" Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education 
on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us 
to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious 
principles. It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a neces- 
sary spring of popular government. This rule, indeed, extends with 
more or less force to every species of free government. Who that 
is a sincere friend to it can look with indifference upon attempts to 
shake the foundations of the fabric?" 

Catholics have to-day in the United States 3,194 parochial schools 
giving education to 633,500 children. Taking together our second- 
ary schools, academies and colleges, our primary schools, parochial 
schools proper, and certain of our charitable institutions, the chief 
work of which is the bringing up of orphans, I think I am safe in as- 
serting that we educate nearly 800,000 children. 

Of late years a movement which has become very widespread in 
England is beginning to take on respectable proportions in this 



I 8 THE CLAIMS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 

country ; it is known as tlie University Extension, and Li an effort 
to extend to tlie masses and popularize even higher education. 
Something- of tlie Icind is in existence among Catholics, and has been 
for some time past. 

In many cities there are Catholic literary societies, made up mostly 
of young men, graduates from our colleges and high schools. These 
are, as it were, an extension of secondary education. Moreover, in 
almost every parish there is in existence, or there is being formed, a 
Reading Circle, which is as the extension of the primary school. It 
is evident from what I have stated in this paragraph that the Church 
favors the education and the continual intellectual development of 
her members, and in so far renders valuable service to the Republic. 

OUR CATHOLIC NEGROES, 

The negroes are our fellow-citizens, the Indians are the wards of 
the nation ; whoever labors for the welfare of these two classes of 
fellow-men does service to his country. For them what has the 
Catholic Church done, and what is she doing? In a sermon 
preached on the occasion of the Baltimore Centenary last j^ear. 
Archbishop Ryan spoke some solemn words on these two questions. 

" I believe," he said, "that in the last century vre could have done 
more for the colored people of the South and the Indian tribes. I 
believe that negro slavery and the unjust treatment of the Indians 
are the two great blots upon the American civilization. So I feel 
that in the Church, also, the most reasonable cause for regret in the 
past century is the fact that more could have been done for the same 
dependent classes." 

Too true. But there are siens of a revival of the zeal in these two 



IN THE MAKING OF THE REPUBLIC. I9 

fields of missionary work. For in our own time tliat noble-liearted 
woman, Miss Drexel, has devoted herself and her very large fortune 
to the negro and Indian missions, and annually the sum of $70,000 
or $80,000 is contributed by the Catholics of the United States to 
the same purpose. 

Present statistics show that 151,614 negroes are members of the 
Catholic Church; that they have 27 places of worship, iio schools, 
giving education to 6,460 children, 10 orphanages and charitable in- 
stitutions. Thirty-three priests minister to the Catholic colored 
population, and lately a college and ecclesiastical seminary have been 
established in Baltimore, appropriated exclusively to the training of 
candidates for the priesthood who will devote themselves entirely to 
the colored missions. 

There lies before the Catholic Church a duty toward the colored 
population of the United States which she will not neglect, and in 
which, once she gives herself earnestly to the task, success cannot 
fail to attend her efforts. 

We have seen in the beginning of this paper how heroically the 
early Catholic missionaries labored and died in the task of convert- 
ing the Indian tribes to Christianity. The obstacles that were then 
in the way of complete success increased with the flow of white set- 
tlers, and are in full operation to-day, with the addition of a political 
situation anything but favorable. 

Indians are not considered to be free men, but the wards of the 
nation. Religious liberty in the sense we understand and enjoy it is 
not among the rights accorded to them. The policy of the Govern- 
ment has not been always uniform in this respect. At one time the 
tribes were parcelled out for religious and educational training 



20 THE CLAIMS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 

amonsf various religious bodies, and Catholic Indians were assicrned 
to non-Catholic ministers and teachers. The present administration 
seems inclined to adopt a system not less unfavorable to the work of 
the Church — that of Governmental schools, from which all Christian- 
itv, or at least all Catholic Christianit)', will be excluded. However, 
the good sense of the American people may interfere with the com- 
plete execution of that plan. At the present moment statistics of the 
Church's work among the Indians stand thus: Catholic Indians, 
87,375; churches, 104; priests laboring exclusively among them, 
81 ; schools, 58 ; pupils in Catholic schools, 3,098. 

OF THE CHARITIES AND CHARITABLE LNSTITUTIONS OF THE CHURCH, 

I can speak only briefly. We count in the United States 553 chari- 
table institutions directly under the control of the Church and in the 
hands of men and women who are exclusively devoted by vows of 
religion to the many works of Christian benevolence. 

There is no phase of human misery and affliction for which the 
Church does not provide some antidote, some alleviations. She has 
foundling asylums to receive and shelter abandoned infants, orphan 
asylums to be homes for children whom death has left without father 
or mother, hospitals for every species of bodily and mental disease, 
Magdalen asylums and Houses of the Good Shepherd for the shelter 
and reclaiming of women who have fallen victims to their own weak- 
ness or to the false promises of the seducer, reformitories for boys 
that have taken the first step in the path of vice or are exposed to 
its dangers, retreats for the agfed where men and women without 
homes find on the threshold of the crrave a refuofe from the storms of 
life, and a novitiate to prepare them for eternity. 



IN THE MAKING OF THE REPUBLIC. 21 

Besides the 553 charitable institutions which are in the hands of 
religious men and women, there is a very large number of societies 
charitable in their character and aims, the management of which is 
left in the hands of the Catholic laymen who compose their member- 
ship, though more or less under the sanction and control of their re- 
spective pastors. 

CATHOLIC SOCIETIES. 

Such are the Mutual Benevolent Societies ; their aims are very 
much alike, but their names are many and various, and their aggre- 
gate membership runs away up into the hundreds of thousands. 
These societies very naturally are formed on lines of nationality ; 
they are Irish, German, American, Polish, Canadian, etc. 

In contrast with these Mutual Benevolent Associations is the St. 
Vincent de Paul Society, which is based on no national lines, but is 
strictly Catholic, being made up as to membership of all nationalities, 
and doine its work amonor all without distinction of race or color. 
Almost every parish in cities has a St. Vincent de Paul Society 
attached to it. 

The members of this admirable association visit personally the 
poor in their homes, inquire into their condition, and distribute aid 
where it will do the most good. They give their services gratui- 
tously, and the means to accomplish their work are gathered by con- 
tributions voluntarily given by themselves in such a manner that 
neither member knows what his neighbor contributes. 

Of late years the care of immigrants landing in New York has 
attracted the attention and engaged the sympathies of our Catholic 
Associations. This work is only at its beginning; already two 
houses, one for German, the other for Irish immigrants, have been 



22 THE CLAIMS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 

opened in New York, to serve as bureaus of information and tem- 
porary lodging jDlaces. The work of colonizing immigrants in the 
Western States and Territories has been undertaken and carried on 
with great success by colonizing societies. 

THE GREAT SOCIAL PROBLEM 

is that of capital and labor ; many are the schemes that have been 
])ut out to solve the problem. But they are all partial and incom- 
plete remedies, because they look only to the material and temporal 
interests of man, and man after all is somethin^j more than a beinof 
of matter and time. He is a being under a higher dispensation, un- 
der the law of Christian charity. All social schemes based on the 
assumption that man's good lies in the natural order alone must fail. 
The brotherhood of man is a dream unless it be founded in the 
Fatherhood of God. In the Christian dispensation in which we live 
the natural order cannot stand without the support of the supernat- 
ural order. The Catholic Church is the authorized representative 
and exponent of the supernatural order. True, it is not her official 
duty to devise special social schemes for special social disorders : but 
it is her duty to see to it that all schemes devised are founded in 
Christian principles and do not antagonize the law of nature and the 
law of God. 

An illustration of her position in this social question of labor an.d 
capital was given a few years ago, when on the representation of the 
American Hierarchy the Holy Father forebore to take action against 
the Knicrhts of Labor, thus admittino- that labor has rights in the 
face of capital and is justified in asserting those rights as long as the 
means employed are not against natural justice or Divine law. 



IN THE MAKING OF THE REPUBLIC. 23 

On that occasion a very great service was rendered to the country, 
to the laboring masses and to the capitaHst class also. For is it not 
better for capital to find itself in the presence of moral right and 
force than in the presence of physical might and brute force? That 
service is but the earnest of many to come in the same line for which 
the country may have to bless and thank the Catholic Church. She 
alone of all religious bodies has the authority to speak frankly the 
truth to all, rich and poor, and the moral power to enforce that 
truth on the prouder classes and on the humbler but more dangerous 
because more aCTarieved masses. 

A GREAT EVIL. 

One great evil that threatens the American people is divorce. 
Divorce means contempt of the marriage bond, avoidance of the 
responsibilities and duties of family life ; it means the sapping of 
society at its very sources. The nation where divorce is of wide 
extension and long continuance must perish. Such is the verdict of 
logic and history. 

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 

never allows complete divorce, but allows for certain good reasons 
"limited divorce," or separation from bed and board. 

This limited divorce is hardly known or sought after by non- 
Catholics ; for out of 328,716 divorces granted between the years 1867 
and 1886, only 2,099 were limited divorces, and no doubt many if 
not all of these were granted to Catholic parties. That was a revela- 
tion to make a lover of his country pause in saddest musing, that 
report made on order of Congress by Carroll D. Wright. Within 



24 THE CLAIMS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 

twenty years 328,716 divorces had been granted in the United 
States. Within that period the population had increased 60 per 
cent., the divorces 157 per cent. 

The different aspects of this statistical report deserve study. 
Out of these many aspects I wish to present one that has a bearing 
on the main purpose of this paper. In Connecticut there was in the 
year 1874-75, one divorce for every 8.84 and 8.81 marriages. Grad- 
ually this proportion diminished to one divorce for every 1309 mar- 
riages in 188G. In Vermont the proportion was in 1874-75, one 
divorce to 14.97 and 14.26 marriages ; in 1886 one divorce to 20.06 
marriages. In Massachusetts in 1878 one divorce to 22.54 marriages ; 
in 1886 the proportion one divorce to 31.89 marriages. Meanwhile 
in all the other States the proportion was on a steady increase. 

Now the question is, how account for the decrease in the above- 
named States ? Here is the account in one word : The increase of 
the Catholic population in those States. It is well worth while 
quoting a remark of Mr. Carroll D. Wright on this point : 

" However great and growing be the number of divorces in the 
United States, it is an incontestable fact that it would be still 
greater, were it not for the widespread influence of the Roman 
Catholic Church." 

The only remedy to this terrible evil is a return to the legislation 
of the Church, which is the legislation of Jesus Christ Himself, on 
matrimony. 

THE SUNDAY QUESTION. 

The Divine institution of a day of rest from ordinary occupations 
and of religious worship, transferred by the authority of the Church 



THE OLD FAITH 



AND 




TRENTONOVE'S STATUE OF FATHER MARQUETTE 

STATUARY HALL, CAPITOL, WASHINGTON, D. C. 



THE NEW LAND 




CATHERINE TEGAK"WT:TA, "THE LILT OP THE MOHA'U''KS.** 

This " Flower of the Foiv st ' was haptizHil in the CathoUc Faith bv Father Laniber- 
viile. She was born in lfi5)j at Auriesville New York then a Mohawk village. This 
heroic Indian maiden died in tlie Faith April 17. IfiSO. Her tomb is at La Prarie some 
miles below the reservation and is regarded as a shrine by the survivors of her tribe. 




FATHER JOGUES, S. J., " FIHST APOSTLE OF THE IHOQUOIS." 

The Indians I'eueived hhn with clul)s. sticks and stones, on tlie eve of t)ie Assumption }0i'4, tlie day of 
his first arrival. He afterwards suffered iiiartyi-dom at the hands of the Moliawks. Oct. 18, ltJ4(i. His head 
being severed from iiis body and exposed on the palisades near the present site of the Chapel at Auriesvdle, 
N Y 




STATUE OP THE SACRED HEART IN THE CHURCH OF ST. FRANCIS, MEXICO. 

"MaiiT rare treasui-fs of art, erected in the service of ReliKion, are to be fouiul in the Clnirches and Cathe- 
drals of Jlexico; a countrr which has remained trne to the Catliohc Faith from tlie tmie of her conquest and 
conversion by Cortes to tlie present day. The Idols of the Pagans which he tore down have been supplanted 
by the Statues and Emblems of the Christian Religion. 




OUR LADY QUEEN OP MARTYRS. 
This statue is in the Shrine at Anriesville, X. Y.,— once a villaj^e of tlie Mohawlvs— on 
the si-ounj made sacred by tlie Jlartyrdom of Father Jogues wlio labored among tlm 
Mohawks for their salvation and suffered death at the hands of hostile members of 
that tribe. 





rf sj rt - 




hi 

t3 









P5|. 






oS'SSg 


O ^ 


= 5^:; 


X » 




I-" t. 

SI 


rt ho 


So^oS-' 


2§ 

H o 


1 .■sl» 


^ >-• 


^: 


||K5 




» ^ S U^ 






Clh C 


g;f^s 














c « 


Sis^i^ 




r- C O i' ^ 






k'^ 




M 


& a. ^ = 3 




8 f. »J 3 .K 




o-AU'r. 




«-S.s«g 








5 d S « 3 




2s:;j;s 












osll?;- 






rt-si-srs 




H rfs5~a 












fe 2-s=^ = 




o s«oi-: 




H "=i?*"S 




o - ■;. = 5 s 








rv" 3 — S O O 




~F°'^o 




lllli 




lliil 

S-7 " > CS 






am 






^ = i^ . 


— ■/; 


o -^ - tfi 


^ % 










^ 1 


lllil 


^ ^C 


sifeos 






_ 'J 








^ z 'V- -^ 












o ■^'-cq 










Z^ s 


5-2,;|.S 




l^iis 


< rt 


^ t^-- ;icq 


^ s 


^ 5?' rt t>i 










rr :^ 


^|.«is 




. O > o""" D 




^l2i = 




.23I0 




GROUP OF MASTERS, ST. IGNATIUS MISSION. 
Flathead, Indian Reservation. Jlontana. 




FIRST STUDENTS OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE AT ROME. 
[ncludetl in the groii]) are .\rchbislioiis Corrii^Mn of New Y"i)c and Kioidan of .san Fiaiioisco, Bishop 
Noitlirop, :\[onsiKnor Seton, Father Poole of Staten Island, Dr. Kentjen PaT-sons and Fatlier "Merriweather, 
S. J., of Macon, 6a. The Senior and the flr.st Prefect was Dr. Edward McGiyun, then a deacon. Tlie col- 
lege was opened Dee. 8, 1S59. 




CATHOLIC MISSIONARIES AT THE SIOUX CONFEHENCiiJ. 
Servants of God who devote their lives to the salvation of the Red IShnu 




TEACHING THE CATECHISM IN A RAILROAD SHANTY. 
The younp: Priest shares the hardships of the men who budd our raihoady, iu order to minister to their 
Spiritual wants. 



.1' -'ti^ 



¥MA 




A GKOITP OF BELIZE MAGISTRATES. 

At tlie Jesuit jxiission in Central Anieiica. 




GBOUP OF NATIVES WITH PRIEST AND PLANTER. 
At tile Jesuit mission in Central America. 




INDIAN TKADE SCHOOLS AT ST. IGNATIUS MISSION. 

Flathead lu-Iiaii Reservation, Muutaiia. 




BESIDENCE ANB BOYS' SCHOOLS, ST. IGNATIUS MISSION. 
Flathead Indiau Reservation, 3Ioiilana. 




INDIAN CHAPEL CKOW KESERVATION, MONTANA. 




*?■ 



INDIAN CHURCH AT CHERRY CREEK. 




ST. JOSEPH'S CHITHCH FOR INDIANS. UMA- 
TILLA RESERVATION, OREGON. 




GROUP AT THE FATHERS' SCHOOL FOR INDIANS. 

L'mutillii Indian Reservation Oreg'jn. 



THE MAKERS of HISTORY 

EMBRACING 

Champions of Our Church 




CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 



AND 



Heroes of Our Country 




02 C 

H " 

Eh o 

CO ^ 

&H ^ 
M Z 

H ■? 
t^ i 
O i 

!z: i 

^-^ 

Eh -3 
tc = 

2l 
h^ = 

2 ■' 



gi 







!fl' fc ■? M 



■6i25' 






o 


u 






'^ 
















Ui 


~ 






^ 


'f 












cu 


o 


' 


rt 










i4 






z; 














^ 
^ 




i 




1 


0) 
> 
is 


M 


^ 


r^ 






^ 


y: 


^ 




w 


> 


-i 






fi" 








P^ 








« 
H 
M 

U} 

W 
M 
CD 

o 

H 

EH 

S 

M 







o 

a 

K 

M 
Hi 

M 

K 






C«r-J:~il . 




C y .-w- «^*j._: 




•-i ■ c: ■; -~ ^ V c "^ 




ii«:s-7-jii 




gfccc- ji^£ = 








Sis'-s.i^ V5? 




•= "•"■£§■ ^ ^ 55 


M 


fill m^i 

._ 1-^ " ^ K 3) 


o 


n 

M 

w 


^ = S3; o 5 i> a) 


p; 




!2; 


:'l.,-iSSa°^ 


o 

1-3 


aplah 
and <ii 
In 181) 
Chap 
y the 

the 
eyond 
ant ai 






> 


-^'y^-^--6s^ 




^ 7: -= ~ 1 y 1 ~ 3 

iil-!lfl|3 












--"i-^T-O — 




-/ = si~ " 










*^ i. 7^3 Ij — T--, ■ •, 








i£||l'|f =4-| 




i-;^r:ceuco'>®=s 






1 £-= 



■5 c : 



r; ;^ - ^'ti-i 1; — 

i x^ 53 '■B Sf Si ID'S 5 

- „ On- S =.= ipn O 

■ S » = c J&i. ^s 
_" ■= tf c ^ t- aj aj E^ 
■• r = = S£b;~c °„ 



:^w-5-; 



05 O c3 C tc- 



t. rt li 



r — 1. "' i-r r E -rirjii-^ 






5 2 ■-■ > .H — ^ . 




? 


= 5^ ^ i^'-^^.r 


> 

w 






Ph 


!«ilPPi? 




ll|iiL-^|i> 




i '~ aj , "5 1: ~ ,- 5 




— lJ-l;C-_ — h-.Q 




«Kz-;:n3Ji 



IN THE MAKING OF THE REPUBLIC. 25 

from the Sabbath, the last day, to Sunday, the first day of the 
week, has ahvays been revered in this country, has entered into our 
legislation and customs, and is one of the most patent signs that we 
are a Christian people. 

The neMect and abandonment of this observance would be sure 
evidence of a departure from the Christian spirit in which our past 
national life has been moulded. In our times, as in all times past, 
the enemies of religion are the opponents, secret or avowed, of the 
Christian Sabbath. A close observer cannot fail to note the danger- 
ous inroads that have been made on the Lord's Day in this country 
within the last quarter of a century. He renders a service to his 
country who tries to check this dangerous tendency to desecration. 

It would not be difficult to show that the observance of Sunday is 
fraught with the greatest social blessing ; as proof, look at the social 
ills that have befallen those Christian nations that have lost respect 
for it. Solicitous to avert from the United States those disastrous 
consequences, the Catholic Church has been a strenuous upholder 
of the sacred character of the Lord's Day. On no point has she 
been more clear and emphatic in her legislation, recorded in her 
Plenary Councils, and notably in the Third Plenary Council held in 
Baltimore in 1884. It is to be hoped that all her children in these 
States, casting aside the abuses of the European lands whence they 
come, may accept loyally and carry out thoroughly that salutary 
lesfislation. 

CATHOLIC TOTAL ABSTINENCE. 

Akin more or less to all the foregoing questions, intimately bound 
up with the observance of Sunday, with the sufferings of the labor- 



26 THE CLAIMS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 

ing classes, with education, is the question of temperance. The great- 
est statesmen of all times have seen in drunkenness the direst plague 
of society, the main source of its crimes and pauperism. And )et, by 
an inconsistency that amazes the student of political history, they 
have not only not sought and applied a serious antidote, but have 
turned the very evil into a source of national revenue. 

However, to pass on to more relevant considerations, if he who seeks 
to stay and remove the curse of drink is to be accounted a social bene- 
factor, then we may claim that attribution for the Church. The leg- 
islation of the Council of Baltimore is precise and vigorous in this 
matter; Catholic Total Abstinence and Father Mathew Societies are 
everywhere in the land. A few years ago, in a brief address to Arch- 
bishop Ireland, the Holy Father, Leo XHI., gave his approbation, in 
words that cannot be misunderstood or misinterpreted, to total absti- 
nence as an efficacious remedy for intemperance, and to total absti- 
nence societies as being engaged in a work beneficial to the State 
and the Church. 

If it be objected that many Catholics are delinquent in this matter 
to the wishes of the Church, that in fact the retail liquor business is 
laro-ely in the hands of Catholics, our answer is that unfortunately 
the State does not co-operate with the Church in this important ques- 
tion ; that laws against drunkenness and legal restrictions on the sale 
of intoxicants are allowed to be violated ; that what is called the ne- 
cessities of politics are at war with the spirit of the Church, the vir- 
tues of the citizen, the good of the social body ; that this is a case in 
which corrupt politics and loose administration of law shelter the un- 
faithful or the less worthy children of the Church from her salutary in- 
fluences and commands. 



IN THE MAKING OF THE REPUBLIC. 27 

NO CONSTITUTION IS MORE IN HARMONY WITH CATHOLIC PRINCIPLES 
THAN IS THE AMERICAN, 

And no religion can be in such accord with that constitution as is 
the Catholic. While the State is not absorbed in the Church, nor 
the Church in the State, and thus there is external separation, they 
both derive their life from the same interior principle of truth, and in 
their different spheres carry out the same ideas, and thus there is 
between them a real internal union. The Declaration of Independ- 
ence acknowledges that the rights it proclaims come from God as the 
source of all government and all authority. This is a fundamental 
religious principle in which Church and State meet. 

From it follows the correlative principle that as God alone is the 
source of human rights, so God alone can efficaciously maintain them. 
This is equivalent to Washington's warning that the basis of our lib- 
erties must be morality and religion. Shall, then, the various Chris- 
tian churches have influence enough with the millions of our people 
to keep them in morality and religion ? No question can equal this 
in importance to our country. For success in this noble competition, 
the Catholic Church trusts in the commission given her by her Di- 
vine Founder to teach and bless "all nations, all days, even till the 
end of the world." For guarantee of the spirit in which she shall 
strive to accomplish it, she points confidently to history's testimony 
of her unswerving assertion of popular rights, and to the cordial de- 
votedness to the free institutions of America constantly manifested, 
in word and in work, by her Bishops, her clergy and her people. 



A Contributor to the Truth of History. 



The Hon. John L. Macdonald is the distinguished author of the 
succeeding pages entitled " The Achievements of the Church and her 
Sons in American History." Judge Macdonald is recognized as one 
of the representative and progressive men of Minnesota. His father, 
Dr. John A. Macdonald and family, moved from Scotland to Nova 
Scotia and shortly afterwards (in 1847) to Pittsburg, Pa., but in 1855 
settled near Belle Plaine, Scott county, Minn. Soon after this John 
L. Macdonald began the study of law and was admitted to the Bar 
in 1859. The same year he was elected judge of the Probate Court, 
and afterwards was chosen to, and held successively, the offices of 
county superintendent of schools and prosecuting attorney of the 
county. 

From i860 to 1862 he added editorial duties to his other occupa- 
tions. When the war broke out he was commissioned to enlist and 
muster in volunteers for the Union army. In 1869 and 1870 he was 
a member of the House of Representatives of Minnesota, and from 
1871 to 1S76 was a member of the state Senate. Whilea member of 
this body he came into prominence as a representative Catholic. 
Complaints had been made that the inmates of the juvenile and other 
reformatory and penal institutions of the state were refused the min- 
istrations of the clergymen of the denominations of which they were 
members, and Judge Macdonald prepared, introduced, and had se- 
cured the passage of what is known as the " Liberty of conscience 
law " of that state. The passage of this law was stubbornly opposed 
by those connected with the institutions ; but it was so ably defended 
by its author, and shown to be so eminently impartial and just, that 
he triumphed ; and it is now recognized by all classes as emphatically 
right, and a desirable peace measure. 

In 1872 he was the Democratic candidate for Attorney General. 
In 1875 he was elected mayor of the city. In 1876 he was elected 
judge of the Eighth judicial district of Minnesota notwithstanding 
every effort was made to defeat him on account of his religion. His 
conduct upon the bench, however, was so satisfactory to all that he 
was re-elected without opposition. In 1886 he resigned the office of 
judge to resume the practice of the law, but was not allowed to re- 
main long in private life, being elected to the Fiftieth Congress. On 
the expiration of his congressional term he resumed the practice of 
law in St. Paul. There are few public men in his state more highly 
respected. 

28 




FATHER DE SMET PREACHING TO THE INDIANS. 
The linner panel sives a ^'roup of Sioux Chiefs with Fatlier De Smet in the center. an<rthe lowei- panel 
his portrait In W->\ Father De Smet set out from Belgium with five other Priests as a Srissionary to the 
.\nierican Indians. He was then but 21 vears of age. In 1853 his missionary journeys were equal in extent 
to five times the circumference of the Globe. His labors amonj; the Indians were most arduous and mipor- 
tant, and his work published on " Indian Missions " is highly valued by students of American History. 



The Achievements of the Church 

. . . AND . . . 
Her Sons in American History* 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 

BY 

HON. J. L. MACDONALD. 

A GRAND TEMPLE OF LBERTY. 

There is no country on the face of the earth whose citizens, as a 
body, are so free from religious prejudice and sectarian bias, as the 
United States. Our people, with but few exceptions — as becomes 
the citizens of a great republic — have learned to respect each other's 
opinions ; and, recognizing the fact that man is accountable to God 
alone for his religious belief, they have agreed to disagree, where 
they differ, and to insist that no one shall be disturbed in the en- 
joyment of the inestimable right of freedom of conscience. 

The friends and admirers of human freedom, in other lands, re- 
gard the United States — and rightly so — as a grand temple of lib- 
erty, in which they all would fain reside. -It so appears to them, 
because here, more than under any other government upon the 
globe, our people enjoy ' life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," 
and because here the oppressed of all nations have found a refuge 

from tyranny, oppression and wrong. 

29 



30 THE CHURCH AND HER SONS IN AMERICAN HISTOKV. 

The arch which would represent the entrance to this temple of 
liberty is our constitution, and its keystone is that provision which 
secures to all living under its protecting aegis, religious as well as 
civil freedom ; the right to worship God according to the dictates 
of their own consciences. In the language of the author of the 
Declaration of Independence, this constitution "has banished from 
our land that religious intolerance under which mankind so long 
bled and suffered ! " 

But there are exceptions to every rule, and this country is not with- 
out them. Now and then there arises a bigoted Cassandra who 
attempts to disturb the spirit of harmony and good will that exists 
among our citizens, by frantic appeals to religious prejudice, and by 
doleful forebodings of dangers which have been foretold for almost a 
century, but have not yet materialized. In the recent past, our coun- 
try had an exhibition of these " alarming " prognostications, and the 
periodical and oft-refuted effort was made to array the Catholic 
Church as the eaemy of republican institutions. But the attack 
met the fate of its predecessors, and is now scarcely remembered. 
The Catholic Truth Society * has, however, concluded that it is due 
to the members of the Catholic Church, and the American people, 
that the truth of crur history, as to the Catholic portion thereof, be 
made more generally known. They have concluded that the most 
crushino- rebuke that can be administered to these malioners of the 
Catholic Church and its members, is to place before our citizens the 
Catholic pages of American history, and I have been requested to 
perform that duty. 

* The present chapter was originally prepared as a lecture, and delivered before the Catholic Truth 
Society at St. Paul, Minn., Feb. iS, 1S94. The Editor has omitted a few local allusions only. 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 3 I 

I would have much preferred that the task had been assigned to 
other and abler hands; but, beheving it to be the duty of us all to 
aid and assist this Society in its laudable efforts when we can do so, 
I have concluded to comply with that request, to the best of my 
ability. 

It will be hardly necessary for me to remark that my paper on 
this subject can be but little more than a brief statement of historical 
facts. 

It is not my intention to claim or seek to establish, in the mind of 
my fellow Catholics, that the great body of which we are members, 
is entitled to the credit of possessing a historical record superior to 
that of any of our non-Catholic brethren. I do not intend to even 
institute a comparison. I shall simply state facts and let them 
speak for themselves. If any one expects me to indulge in the de- 
nunciation of those who differ with us in matters of religion, he will 
be disappointed. Any institution that cannot maintain itself except 
by assailing those who differ with it, does not deserve to live. 

The Catholic Church has not been compelled to rely on the de- 
nunciation of others for e.xistence ; and the assaults of her enemies, 
for ages past, have failed to make an impression upon her. Upon 
this point the distinguished Protestant writer, Lord Macaulay, in 
1840, .said : 

LORD MACAULAY'S TESTIMONY. 

" The history of that Church joins together the two great ages of 
human civilization. No other institution is left standing which car- 
ries the mind back to the time when the smoke of sacrifice rose from 
the Pantheon, and when camelopards and tigers bounded in the 



32 THE CHURCH AND HER SONS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. 

Flavian amphitheatre. The proudest royal houses are but of yes- 
terday when compared with the line of the Supreme Pontiffs. That 
line we trace back in an unbroken series from the Pope who crowned 
Napoleon, in the nineteenth century, to the Pope who crowned 
Pepin, in the eighth ; and far beyond the time of Pepin the august 
dynasty extends, till it is lost in tlie twilight of fable. The republic 
of Venice came next in antiquity. But the republic of Venice was 
modern when compared with the Papacy ; and the republic of Ven- 
ice is gone, and the Papacy remains. The Papacy remains not in 
decay, not a mere antique ; but full of life and youthful vigor. The 
Catholic Church is still sending forth, to the farthest ends of the 
world, missionaries as zealous as those who landed in Kent with 
Augustine, and is still confronting hostile kings with the same spirit 
with which she confronted Atilla. The number of her children is 
greater than in any former age. Her acquisitions in the new world 
have more than compensated her for what she has lost in the old. 
Her spiritual ascendency extends over the vast countries which lie 
between the plains of the Missouri and Cape Horn — countries which, 
a century hence, may not improbably contain a population as large 
as that which now inhabits Europe. The members of her commun- 
ity are certainly no fewer than a hundred and fifty millions ; and it 
will be difficult to show that all the other Christian sects united 
amount to a hundred and twenty millions. Nor do we see any sign 
which indicates that the term of her long dominion is approaching. 
She saw the commencement of all the governments and of all the 
ecclesiastical establishments, that now exist in the world, and we 
feeJ no assurance that she is not destined to see the end of them all. 
She was great and respected before the Saxon had set foot on 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 33 

Britain— before the Frank had passed the Rhine — when Grecian 
eloquence still flourished at Antioch — when idols were still wor- 
shipped in the temple of Mecca. And she may still exist in undi- 
minished vigor, when some traveller from New Zealand shall, in the 
midst of a vast solitude, take his stand on a broken arch of London 
bridge to sketch the ruins of St. Paul's." 

The history of the fifty eventful years that have transpired since 
Lord Macaulay wrote those lines, have certainly furnished evidence 
of the wisdom and foresight he exhibited, in his prophetic state- 
ments. 

My purpose accordingly is simply to show, by a candid and truth- 
ful reference to American history, that the Catholic portion thereof 
is a record of many of the most important events contained therein, 
and reflects fully as much credit upon Catholics as is reflected by 
any other portion upon any other denomination. In fact so inter- 
woven in the history of this country are the deeds of distinguished 
and devoted Catholics, that were we to prune it of the record of 
those deeds, its brightest pages would be obliterated, and many of its 
noblest and proudest recitals of self-sacrificing heroism and patriotic 
virtue would be lost. 

A CATHOLIC DISCOVERY. 

I would ask you to go back with me, in imagination, to the fifteenth 
century, and into the city of Genoa. We enter a certain house, and 
looking into a room therein, we discover a man whose dress and 
bronzed and weather-beaten countenance indicate him to be a sea- 
faring man. He is kneeling — perchance before a crucifix — around 
him are lying maps, charts and nautical instruments peculiar to his 



34 THE CHURCH AND HER SONS IN AiMERICAN HISTORY. 

occupation. In that attitude he is appealing to his Creator to smile 
upon his efforts, and grant him success in carrying out an undertak- 
ing, the magnitude of which, when first suggested, startled some, and 
created ridicule in others, as an insane idea — the discovery of a 
Western Hemisphere, or as some called it, a " new world." 

That man is Christopher Columbus, the discoverer of America, 
whose character and subsequent career fully justify me in introduc- 
ing him as I have done. Calm, persevering and patient, under the 
most tr)'ing difficulties ; dignified in his deportment, at all times 
master of himself, he commanded the respect and elicited the esteem 
of all with whom he came in contact. 

The difficulties which he met and overcome, in carrying out his 
undertaking, and in accomplishing an object so grand in conception 
and stupendous in result, shows him to have been well qualified, by 
nature and education, for an enterprise so arduous. He first applies 
to the government of his native town, Genoa — anxious that it should 
share and participate in the honor that might arise from so grand an 
enterprise — but, to his great mortification, they treated his theory as 
a visionary scheme. He next applies for aid to King John H., of 
Portueal, and is ag^ain refused. He then sends his brother Barthol- 
omew to England, to solicit the patronage of Henry VH., but Bar- 
tholomew having been captured by pirates, failed to reach England 
for several years. 

Disappointed in his applications to other courts — but not dis- 
heartened — Columbus in i486 applied to that of Spain. Here he was 
fortunate in having a powerful friend and mediator in Father Juan 
Perez, guardian of the monastery of La Rabida, the queen's confessor, 
and an ecclesiastic of great influence and ability. Through the repre- 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 35 

sentations and mediation of this distinguished divine, a favorable hear- 
ing was granted to the propositions of Columbus. Still circumstances 
conspired against him, even here, in the accomplishment of his object. 
Spain had just emerged from a long war with the Moors, who had 
been expelled from Grenada, and the state of her finances was so low 
as to render it impossible for him to receive assistance from the public 
treasury, and Ferdinand was compelled to acknowledge his inability 
to assist him in his enterprise. 

But through the influence of Father Perez, who spoke to thequeen 
of the glory which would result from the achievement and success of 
the enterprise, and which would forever attach to her reign ; and of 
the extension of the Catholic religion over the countries to be discov- 
ered, this noble queen — appropriately styled "Isabella the Catholic" 
— pledged her crown jewels, and thereby raised the means necessary 
to complete the preparations for the voyage. 

Thus after six years of patient solicitation, and after surmounting 
difficulties under which any other than Columbus would have suc- 
cumbed in despair, the discoverer of this continent was enabled, by the 
munificent aid and liberality of " Isabella the Catholic " — effected 
through the mediation of a Catholic priest — to carry out his projected 
enterprise, and open ujd to the " old world " this vast and glorious land 
of ours. 

A squadron was fitted out, consisting of three vessels of inconsider- 
able size, and when ready for sailing, Columbus — ever mindful of his 
duty as a Catholic — proceeded with his crew in solemn procession to 
the monastery of La Rabida, and there at the hands of their friend, 
Father Perez, partook of the sacraments, and committed themselves 
to the protection of Heaven. They then took leave of their friends, 



36 THE CHURCH AND HER SONS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. 

whom they left full of gloomy apprehensions with respect to their 
perilous undertaking. 

On the morning of the third of August, 1492, Columbus set sail 
from the harbor of Palos, in the Santa Maria, the largest vessel of his 
squadron, followed by the Pinta and Nina. I will pass over the 
account given of his perilous voyage ; that long and doubtful period 
— his accidents — the discontent and almost mutiny of his crew, who 
failed to possess the perseverance to continue on across the trackless 
ocean, but for the indomitable energy of their commander — until 
the morning of the twelfth of October, 1492, when we find him and 
his crew first looking upon the island of San Salvador, the first por- 
tion of the American continent which he had discovered. 

Their first act is to offer up thanks to God, and, under the leader- 
ship of the crew of the Pinta, to sing hymns of praise and thanksgiv- 
ing, in tears of joy and congratulation. This office of gratitude to 
Heaven is immediately followed by an act of retribution to their com- 
mander, by that portion of the men who, but a few days before, 
required all the self-possession and address of the admiral to preserve 
his ascendency and insure the completion of the voyage ; they threw 
themselves at his feet, and, with the humblest acknowledgments of 
their rashness and disobedience, besought forgiveness. 

The boats were lowered and rowed to shore, and Columbus, as the 
representative of Spain, is the first to step upon the long wished for 
land, followed by those who accompanied him. They bear aloft the 
banner of the cross and, erecting it upon the shore, prostrate them- 
selves before it and again return thanks to God. 

The world is therefore indebted to the Christian zeal of a Catholic 
nation, and its noble queen and her spiritual adviser; but more than 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 37 

all to that great man and heroic Catholic — Columbus himself — for 
the accompUshment of this great undertaking, and the opening up to 
commerce, civilization and Christianity, of the fairest portion of the 
earth. The cross, the emblem of man's salvation, and symbol of 
Catholic faith, is planted upon the shores of the new world. I will 
now pass to a review of later events connected with our history. 

The next important event in the history of our country, which I 
shall take up and consider, is the establishment of 

CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. 

Notwithstandinof Columbus discovered the " new world " for 
Spain, she secured but- a small portion of the southern part of what 
is now known as the United States. France settled Acadia and 
Canada, and England succeeded in colonizing the greater portion of 
the U nited States, or what is generally known as the original colonies. 

With the settlers from the " old world " came its prejudice and 
bigotr\'. The home government insisted upon maintaining absolute 
sway and authority over its subjects, and "civil liberty" — so-called — 
was refused the colonies until the seventeenth century. Prior to 
that time the colonies were but mere settlements, subject to the con- 
trol of such irresponsible rulers or governors, as chance, coupled 
with the caprice of their sovereign, placed over them. 

The first colonial assembly ever convened in America, assembled 
at Jamestown, Virginia, on the nineteenth of June, 1619, and Ameri- 
can historians style that day "the birthday of civil freedom in our 
country." To a certain extent it is. The charter under which that 
assembly convened, secured rights which were sufficient to form the 
basis of political liberty ; but one great element was wanting to make 
their liberty complete ; and that was religious freedom. 



38 THE CHURCH AND HER .SU\S IN AMERICAN HISTORY. 

CATHOLICS THE HRST TO ESTABLISH RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. 

That grand element in our government, which has made our land 
the asylum for the oppressed of all nations, had not yet been incor- 
porated into the laws, regulations or charters of any of the colonies ; 
and it remained for a Catholic tojirs/ introduce and establish perfect 
civil and religions freedom upon the American continent. 

Sir George Calvert — Lord Baltimore — a Catholic gentleman, who 
was distinguished as a statesman in England, and had held the office 
of Secretary of State under James I., sailed to Virginia in 1631, in 
search of an asylum for himself and his persecuted brethren ; but 
meeting an unwelcome reception on account of his religion, he fixed 
his attention upon a territory beyond the Potomac. Finding it un- 
occupied and well adapted to his purpose, he immediately returned 
10 England and secured of Charles I. a grant of the land. In honor 
of Henrietta Maria — the consort of Charles — the country was called 
Maryland. 

Before the patent was completed Sir George died, and the grant 
was transferred to his eldest son, Cecilius Calvert, who inherited the 
titles of his father and became Lord Baltimore. Preparations were 
immediately made for the settlement of a colony. Remaining in 
England himself, Cecilius Calvert appointed his brother Leonard as 
governor of the intended settlement ; on the twenty-second of No- 
vember, 1633, emigrants to the number of about two hundred set 
sail from the Isle of Wight, in two small vessels, the " Ark" and the 
" Dove," and after a tedious voyage, arrived, in March of the follow- 
ing year, on the shores of the Chesapeake. 

Following the example of Columbus, they immediately erected a 
cross and returned thanks to God, who had conducted their vo\-a'^c 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 39 

to SO happy an issue, and then took possession of their colony in the 
name of their sovereign. Their next act (one which performed by 
William Penn x\<f2ix\y fifty years later has been extolled by historians, 
and has made his name distinguished), was to purchase the lands 
from the natives before building. 

TESTIMONY OF KEARNEY. 

Of the founders of this colony, Kearney, in his "Compendium of 
Ancient and Modern History," says : 

" The leading features of the policy adopted by the founders of this 
colony, claim our warmest admiration. Their intercourse with 
Indian tribes was marked by the strictest equity and humanity ; at 
the same time tiie unrestrained exercise of opinion, in matters of re- 
ligion, granted to the professors of every creed, reflects the highest 
honor upon the memory of Lord Baltimore and his benevolent asso- 
ciates. Whilst the Episcopalians of Virginia would suffer no other 
form of worship among them, except that of the Church of England, 
and whilst the Puritans of New England punished with fines, tor- 
tures and exile all those who differed from their creed, the Roman 
Catholics of Maryland, transcending the prescriptive principles of the 
aee, extended their arms and invited amoncT them the victims of in- 
tolerance from every clime." 

TESTIMONY OF BANCROFT. 

Nor is Mr. Kearney alone in bearing testimony to this fact. The 
distinguished historian, Mr. Bancroft, in the earlier editions of his 
history of America, sa)"S : 

"Its history is the history of benevolence, gratitude and toleration. 
The Roman Catholics who were oppressed by the laws of England, 



40 THE CHURCH AND HER SONS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. 

were sure to find a peaceful asylum in the quiet harbors of the Chesa- 
peake, and there, too, Protestants ivere slicltei-ed froni Protestant in- 
tolerance. 

" Calvert," says Mr. Bancroft, " deserves to be ranked among the 
most wise and benevolent law-givers of all ages. He was the first 
in the Christian world to seek for religious security and peace by the 
practice of justice, and not by the exercise of power ; to plan the 
establishment of popular institutions with the enjoyment of liberty 
of conscience ; to advance the career of civilization by recognizing 
the rightful equality of all Christian sects. The asylum of Papists 
was. the spot where, in a remote corner of the world, on the banks of 
a river which as yet had hardly been explored, the mild forbearance 
of a proprietary, adopted religious freedom as the basis of the state." 

TESTIMONY OF FROST. 

Frost, in his history of the United States, says : 

"Although Sir George Calvert was a Roman Catholic, he allowed 
the most perfect religious liberty to the colonists, under his charter; 
and Maryland was the Jirst state in the zcorld in which perfect re- 
ligious freedom was enjoyed. All English subjects, without distinc- 
tion, were allowed equal rights in respect to property, and religious 
and civil franchises. A royal exemption from English taxation was 
another singular privilege obtained by Lord Baltimore for the people 
of his colony. All the extraordinary features of his charter owe 
their origin to the political foresight and sagacity of this remarkable 
man." 

Lord Baltimore was certainly entitled to all the praise bestowed 
upon him by these and other historians. No one can fail to recog- 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 4 I 

nize the grandeur of his conduct, in contradistinction to that of the 
founders of the other colonies ; and especially New England, whose 
proscriptive doctrines compel even Baird, with his strong predelictions 
in their favor, to say : 

" It cannot be denied that the fathers of NewEntrland were intoler- 
ant to those who differed from them in religion ; that they persecuted 
Quakers and Baptists, and abhorred Roman Catholics." 

Roger Williams was banished in 1634 from the colony of Massa- 
chusetts, for having promulgated certain doctrines which were de- 
clared to be heretical and seditious, and which, according to Bancroft, 
were " that the civil magistrate should restrain crime but never con- 
trol opinion ; should punish guilt, but never violate the freedom of 
conscience." 

LORD BALTIMORE OR ROGER WILLIAMS? 

It has been claimed by some, who would fain deprive Catholicity 
of the honor which attaches to it and its professors, by the establish- 
ment of religious freedom in Maryland, that it was first established 
by Roger Williams in Rhode Island. This however is an error. As 
I have already stated, Williams was banished from Massachusetts in 
1634 — one year after Maryland was settled by those who arrived 
with Calvert in the "Ark" and the "Dove." In 1644 (ten years 
later than the Maryland settlement) Williams visited England and 
obtained a charter, declaring "that none were to be molested for any 
difference of opinion, in matters of religion " ; yet the very first 
assembly, convened under its authority, excluded Catholics from vot- 
ing at elections, and from every office in the government. 

Maryland was truly the "Beacon Rock" of civil and religious 



42 THE CHURCH AND HER SONS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. 

liberty, and stands forth in bold relief, as being — in the language of 
Baird in his " Religions of America" — 

"The Ji7'si government in modern times, in which entire tolera- 
ation was granted to all denominations of Christians ; this too, at 
a time when the New England Puritans could hardly bear with one 
another, much less with 'papists,' when the zealots of Virginia held 
both 'papists' and 'dissenters' in nearly equal abhorrence; zc/icn 
in fact tolerance zvas not considered, in any part of tlie Protestant 
luorld, due to Roman Catholics!' 

Such is the language of a Protestant writer, and Maryland was 
worthy of all that has been said of it. 

What more precious legacy could be bequeathed to nations yet 
unborn, than the following oath of the governor of this colony : — 

" I will not by myself or another, directly or indirectly, trouble, 
molest or discountenance any person professing to believe in Jesus 
Christ, for or in respect to religion. I will make no difference of 
persons in conferring offices, favors or rewards, for or in respect to 
religion, but merely as they should be found faithful and well-de- 
serving, and endowed with moral virtues and abilities; my aim 
shall be public unity, and if any person or officer shall molest any 
person professing to believe in Jesus Christ, on account of his relig- 
ion, I will protect the person molested and punish tlie offender." 

How much happier and better governed would be the world, did 
all the rulers and governors therein subscribe to such an oath, and 
were they bound by its obligations? 

Nor is the action of Lord Baltimore the only case, in our early his- 
tory, which shows that the spirit of religious toleration was character- 
istic of the Catholics of that period, and. I had almost said peculiar 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 43 

to them. After the Island of Manliattan had been by Stuyvesant 
— the last governor under the government of Holland — surrendered 
to the King of England, and "New Amsterdam" had its name 
changed to that of New York, it passed under the control of Colonel 
Nichols, the first English governor of New York. After its subse- 
quent surrender to the representatives of Holland by Manning, 
and restoration to the English, by the treaty of Westminster in 1674, 
Andros was, by the Duke of York, appointed governor of all territory 
from the Connecticut to the Delaware. Andros is declared by his- 
torians to have been " the oppressor of New England," and in his 
rule " to have exhibited much of that harshness, severity and rapacity 
which afterwards rendered him so odious in the Eastern Colonies." 

A CATHOLIC GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK. 

In 1682 Andros was succeeded by Col. Thomas Dongan, who had 
been appointed governor of that colony. Governor Dongan was a 
Catholic, and the historian tells us : "His administration is memor- 
able as the era of the commencement of representative government 
in the colony." He is represented by Frost in his history as "a 
man of high integrity, unblemished character, and" great moderation, 
who, altJwiiglt, a Catholic [/] may be ranked among the best of our 
governors." 

The first legislative assembly of New York, was convened by 
Governor Dongan ; and its first act was the " Charter of Liberty," 
passed October 30, 1683, which declares : — 

" That no person or persons who profess faith in God, through 
Jesus Christ, shall at any time be disquieted or called in question, 
but all such may freely have and fully enjoy his or their judgments 



44 THE CHURCH AND HER SONS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. 

or consciences in matters of religion — they not using this liberty to 
the civil injury or outward disturbance of others." 

The administration of Governor Dongan vja.s marked by his excel- 
lent management of the Indian affairs of his colony. It was he who 
first perceived and suggested to Lord Effingham, Governor of Vir- 
ginia, the necessity of a treaty with the celebrated Five Nations, 
and who did, in conjunction with Lord Effingham, enter into that 
treaty, embracing all the English settlements, and all the tribes in 
alliance with them — a treaty which was long and inviolably adhered to. 

This state of affairs was continued, by the excellent conduct and 
superior administrative ability of Governor Dongan, until, by the 
death of Charles II., in 1865, the Duke of York ascended to the throne 
of England as James II. After his accession to the throne, the new 
king inaugurated several measures highly injurious to the interests 
of the colony, and which culminated, in 1688, in the reappointment 
of the tyrant Andros. From this on through a long series of years, 
the colony of New York was involved in one continued succession 
of foreign wars, hostile invasions and internal dissensions. Andros 
departed from the line of conduct marked out by his distinguished 
Catholic predecessor, and such was the result. 

The first act of the first legislature convened by Andros, was to 
repeal those excellent laws, which I have referred to, as passed by 
the first assembly convened by Governor Dongan, and to pass the 
" Bill of Rights," which excluded Catholics from all participation in its 
privileges. From this on, through many years, the spirit of bitterness 
towards the Catholic Church increased. It was death for a priest to 
come voluntarily into the colony, and a penalty of $ i ,000 was im- 
posed upon the Catholic who harbored a priest. 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 45 

In 1778 the British, who still held New York, took a large French 
ship in the Chesapeake, which was sent to New York for condemna- 
tion. Her chaplain — De la Motte — desiring to celebrate mass, and 
having been informed that a prohibitory law existed, asked permis- 
sion to do so ; and in his ignorance of the English language, mistook 
a refusal for permission, and was the first priest that publicly cele- 
brated the divine service, after the passage of the odious laws under 
Andros, at which his own countrymen and those of his faith attended. 
For this he was arrested, cast into prison, and kept closely confined 
until exchanged. 

But the power of Great Britain was crushed, and the American 
Congress, rising above the prejudices of the age, and fully apprecia- 
ting the value of the services and aid rendered by Catholics durinsf 
the revolutionary war (and which I will refer to hereafter) incorpo- 
rated in the laws of the new nation, then springing into life, the tol- 
erant and liberal principles of Lord Baltimore and Governor Dongan, 
and religious freedom became the grandest feature in the mama 

o O o 

cliarta of our liberties. 

With this reference to the first establishment of religious freedom 
on the American continent, I will pass to a brief consideration of 

OUR CATHOLIC MISSIONARIES AND EXPLORERS. 

To attempt any more than a brief reference to a subject that has 
filled volumes, from the pens of Bancroft, Irving, Parkman, Shea, 
DeCharlevoix and a host of other writers, would be the height of 
folly. In fact, I hesitate to refer to these heroic men of God, whose 
deeds of self-sacrificing devotion, pati^ent suffering and martyrdom, 
has called forth the most eloquent encomiums and eulogies from the 



46 THE CHURCH AND HER SONS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. 

distinguished authors whose names I have just mentioned. But the 
record of their labors, suffering and death, forms one of the most im- 
portant parts of the Catholic history of America, and without a men- 
tion of them it would be but a fragment. 

The Franciscans and Dominicans, and other devoted servants of 
Christ, who followed in the footsteps of the Spanish adventurers, es- 
tablished missions, some of which still exist. They labored with a 
zeal unsurpassed, and a large proportion of them gave up their lives 
for their faith ; " but," as a late writer remarks, " unfortunately the 
crimes of their countrymen have been permitted, by the prejudice of 
modern writers, to tarnish the renown of these heroic preachers ; and 
the cruelties of a Cortez are better remembered than the virtues of 
the Spanish Dominicans. The Jesuits in the northern parts of the 
continent have received more justice in history. About their char- 
acters and achievements, there is but one voice." 

The Jesuits have always been the pioneers of civilization and 
Christianity. It was a Jesuit missionary who first explored nearly 
every northern state in the union. When the most intrepid layman 
or Protestant shrank from penetrating the unknown wilds of our con- 
tinent, the Jesuit missionary, forgetting all but his holy vows, and 
quailing before no danger, in his zealous desire to Christianize the 
untutored savage, hesitated not to pass beyond the confines of civil- 
ization, and to explore the wilderness. A part of that advance guard 
of civilization and Christianity, which established missions in Japan, 
India, in the isles of Sunda, Tartary, Siam, Syria, Persia and innu- 
merable other regions of Asia — missions on the burning sands of 
Africa, in Abyssinia, Congo, Mozambique, — missions in Brazil, 
Mavagon, New Grenada, Mexico, Guatemalas and California, con- 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 47 

vertine millions of the natives or barbarians — when settlements were 
made on the borders of North America, penetrated into the wilder- 
ness of Canada and the West and Northwest ; and a half a century 
before Le Sueur had ascended the Mississippi and explored the St. 
Peter (now Minnesota) river, they had established missions among- 
the Hurons, Illinois, Algonquins, Chippewas, Dakotas and other 
tribes in Canada and the Northwest. 

The Franciscans had been before them in Canada, but the capture 
of Quebec by the English almost wholly obliterated the mission, and 
but little trace was left of it ; and when the colony was restored to the 
French, two Jesuit priests — Le Jeune and De Neue — arrived there 
from Havre. They were followed soon after by four more — Brebeuf, 
Masse, Daniel and Davost ; and later by Garnier, Chabuel, Chamont 
and the illustrious martyr, Isaac Jogues, and others. The story of 
the hardships which these Christian heroes endured, in the inhospit- 
able climate of Canada, in their efforts to convert the Indian tribes, 
would be too lengthy for this lecture. 

As an evidence of their indomitable energy and perseverance, I 
would say that as early as in the year 1639, Fathers Jogues and 
Raymbault passed around the northern shores of Lake Huron, and 
preached the faith among the Chippewas as far inland as Sault Saint 
Marie, at the outlet of Lake Superior. 

After enduring indescribable sufferings and tortures, Brebeuf, 
Goupil, Jogues, Lallemant, Garnier and Chabuel suffered martyrdom 
at the hands of the savages, for whose souls they had offered up 
their lives. Brebeuf and Lallemant were burned to death, but not 
until they had been put to all the torture which the refined cruelty 
of the savages could invent. 



48 THE CHURCH AND HER SONS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. 

Father Daniel, another victim to the savage hate of the Iroquois, 
with his vestments on, fell pierced with scores of arrows and a musket 
ball, at the door of his chapel. But the associates of these martyrs 
were not discouraged ; they continued on in their labor of love, and 
imitating the example of Him whom they had vowed to follow, they 
still labored to convert the savages. Their establishment at Quebec 
continued to send its apostles to the great lakes on the one hand, 
and through the forests of Maine to the sea coast on the other. 

A beautiful and flourishing mission had been established in Maine, 
by the saintly Father Sebastian Rasle. 

That indefatigable missionary suffered martyrdom, and the tribes 
which he had converted were dispersed and many of them massacred ; 
and, as a result, there, Bancroft says : " influences of commerce took 
the place of the influence of religion, and English trading houses 
supplanted French missions." 

More intimately connected with the history of this, the Northwest, 
are the names of Fathers Menard, Hennepin and Marquette. 

Father Menard was lost in the j-ear 1658, and his fate is only a 
matter of conjecture — his cassock and breviary having been found, 
years afterwards, among the Indians, preserved as medicine charms. 
Hennepin, a Franciscan perhaps much misrepresented, was tlie first 
to penetrate to the Falls of St. Anthony, which he did in 1680. 
Like his co-laborers in the cause of Christianity, he endured his full 
share of suffering. His captivity among the Dakotas, and his suc- 
cess in securing the compassion and protection of the Nodawassey 
chief, would form the theme of an interesting narrative. He it was 
wlio first stood by the Falls of St. Anthony and gave them the 
name of the Saint they bear — St. Anthony of Padua. 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 49 

The saintly Father Marquette, now known in history as the ex- 
plorer of the Wisconsin, and the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, 
visited the Northwest nearly two centuries ago. History has at last 
done him justice, and not only Catholics but Protestants unite in 
doing honor to this great and good missionary, whose name is to be 
found among the list of towns that are situated upon the shores of 
the lake, beside whose waters he breathed his last. 

I cannot better describe the death of Father Marquette, than by 
quoting the following lines, from the pen of an unknown author, 
which appeared some years ago in the " Western Messenger." They 
are the just tribute of, presumably, a Protestant, to the great mis- 
sionary and explorer : — 

His solitar)' grave was made 

Beside thy waters, Michigan ! 
In thy forest shade the bones were laid 

Of a world-wandering man. 
Discoverer of a world ! he sleeps. 

By all the world unknown ; 
No mausoleum marks the spot, 

Nor monumental stone. 



He died alone ! No pious hand 

Smoothed down the pillow for his head ; 
No watching followers reared the lent. 

Or strewed the green leaves for his bed; 
His followers left the holy man 

Besirle a rustic alt.ir kneeling — 
Tlie slanting sunbeam's seiting rays 

Through the thick forest branches stealing. 



An hour had passed — and thev returned, 
They found him lying where he knelt, 

But oh ! how changed ! the calm of death 
Upon his marble features dwelt. 



50 THE CHURCH AND HER SONS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. 

Even while he prayed, his living soul 

Had to its native heavens fled ; 
Whilst the last twilight's holiest beams 

Fell like a glory on his head I 

Thus died a Jesuit ! And his death is but one of many thousands 
of that band of martyr heroes, whose deeds shed a halo of glory over 
Catholic history, and challenge the world to produce a truthful rec- 
ord of their equal. 

Well may Catholics feel proud of the early missionaries, when ieven 
the Protestant historian Bancroft is led to say :—" Thus the religious 
of the French bear the cross to the banks of the St. Mary and the 
confines of Lake Superior, and look wistfully towards the liomes of 
the Sioux, in the valley of the Mississippi — five years before the New 
England Elliott had addressed the tribe of Indians that dwelt within 
six miles of Bosto7i harbor." 

And among the missionaries of later days, no names are better en- 
titled to a place in Catholic history, as worthy successors of Jogues, 
Brebeuf, Menard, Hennepin and Marquette, than those of our late 
Bishop Cretin, our revered Archbishop Grace, and Fathers Galtier, 
De Smet and our own Monseigneur Ravoux. 

It is customary for the average non-Catholic writer upon South 
America,, to attribute, without investieation, to the early missionaries 
who settled there, the present unsatisfactory condition in which he 
may happen to find the native inhabitants of that part of this conti- 
nent. As a complete answer to all such effusions, I will read this ex- 
tract, from a letter written a few years ago by M. Sacc, the distinguished 
Calvinist savant, to his friend Abbe Migno, on his return, after a 
lengthy sojourn in South America. The letter was published in Les 
Afondes 3.nd attracted considerable attention at the time. He said : — 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 5 I 

" During my long peregrinations from one end of America to the 
other, the immense services rendered there by the Jesuits were made 
in some manner palpably visible to me. To them alone the civiliza- 
tion of that immense continent is due, and what remains of their 
works attests both the might of their genius, and the perseverance of 
their efforts to civilize those wonderful countries which their barba- 
rous Spanish conquerors sought only to profit by. At present, of all 
their admirable works, nothing is left but ruins and fond remembrances 
which the poor Indians cherish and bless. They still weep at the 
thought of their lost ' Robes Noires,' whilst the same remembrances 
are branded with ostracism by the present governments who reject 
any bridle that may be used to rein in the course of brutal passions. 
There we have the true cause of the social disease which bliohts the 
very existence of all the Hispano-American Republics, and which 
ceases only for a while, when a new dictator arises. There also we 
have the true cause of the prosperity-of Canada and Brazil, where a 
strong executive power sets due limits to the selfish struggles of un- 
bridled private ambitions. 

" It is my conviction that nothing short of a recall of the Jesuits can 
raise the republics of South America. They are fallen so low merely 
because they have become a prey to constant revolutions brought on 
by ambitious men who place the government of their country in 
jeopardy by the vilest devices. The order of the Jesuits alone, with 
its military organization, represents the interests of all, andean bring 
back order to those unhappy countries. They alone can save the 
Indian tribes, which are threatened with complete extinction, although 
laborers are the only thing required to work out the incredible wealth 
of that soil, which contains all imaginable treasures, either at its 



52 THE CHURCH AND HER SONS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. 

surface or in its bosom. \Vhen the civilization of tliose tribes is 
brouglit about, colonization will be easy enough because they know 
the country thoroughl}-, without them it will al\va)s be extremely 
difificult, chiefly on account of the obstacles they put in the way. 
Unfortunately it is to be feared that the recall of that order, so 
deservedly famous, will meet with many clifificulties, because it would 
stand in the way of all those personal ambitions to whose shameless 
and relentless rivalries those unfortunate states have become a prey." 
It will be noticed that he has fallen into the same error that 
nearly all non-Catholic writers do, of regarding every Catholic mis- 
sionary as a Jesuit. But it is not important. For his honesty and 
candor the children of St. Dominic and St. Francis will not complain. 

BANCROFT'S TESTIMONY TO LA SALLE. 

Among the Catholic explorers who first followed in the footsteps 
of the missionaries was La Salle, who in the year 1682, descended 
the Mississippi from Illinois to the sea. Of him Bancroft says : — 

" His sagacious eye discerned the magnificent resources of the 
country. As he floated down its flood, [the Mississippi] ; as he 
framed a cabin on the first Chickasaw bluff; as he raised the cross 
by the Arkansas ; as he planted the arms of France near the Gulf of 
Mexico; — he anticipated the future affluence of emigrants, and heard 
in the distance, the footsteps of the advancing multitude that were 
coming to take possession of the valley. Meantime he claimed the 
territory for France, and gave it the name of Louisiana." 

It was Le Sueur, who in 1700 explored the St. Peter or Minnesota 
river, to the mouth of the Blue Earth, and built his fort " La Hull- 
ier " at the mouth of the " Mahnkahto." Baron La Houtan, who 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 53 

wrote his " narrative and description of La Longjie Reviere" also 
followed Le Sueur and La Salle. 

It was not until 1776 that others ventured to follow our brave 
Catholic missionaries and explorers. Captain Jonathan Carver 
visited what is now Minnesota, and was followed years afterwards by 
Cass, Schoolcraft, Nicollet and others. 

CATHOLIC PATRIOTS FOR AMERICAN LIBERTY. 

Passing from a consideration of this portion of my subject, I now 
come to that which is embraced in the period beginning with the 
commencement of the struggle for American Independence, and ex- 
tending down to the war of the Rebellion. 

When the American colonies determined to throw off the yoke of 
England, and rid themselves of the oppressions of the mother coun- 
try, it was deemed necessary that a declaration, informing the world 
of the reasons why they took such a step, should be made, and 
Thomas Jefferson was appointed to prepare the same. In conform- 
ity with his instructions, he presented to Congress that immortal 
document for their consideration. The reader of history need not 
be reminded of the importance of the act, which each of the members 
of this Congress performed, in voting to declare themselves free, and 
in signing the Declaration of Independence. Not only did that act 
involve the colonies in a war, but it — at one stroke — placed them in 
an attitude of unmistakable hostility to England, and put in jeopardy 
all that they pledged to each other — their lives and their fortunes. 
They staked everything upon the result of that act, and, with a heroism 
unsurpassed, virtually invited the enmity and vengeance of their 
King. Every one of them was necessarily a man of iron nerve, in 



54 THE CHURCH AND HER SONS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. 

thus braving the anger of their sovereign, and entering upon a war 
with one of the most powerful kingdoms, so illy prepared and de- 
ficient as the colonies were in everything except undying patriotism 
and zeal, and unconquerable bravery. 

LORD BROUGHAM ON CHARLES CARROLL OF CARROLLTON. 

And among the list of patriot heroes, whose names are attached 
to that " immortal document," none was more distinguished than 
that celebrated Catholic, C/iaries Carroll of CarrolUo}i,yN\\o, in sign- 
ing the Declaration of Independence, did not hesitate to stake upon 
the issue, more property than all of the other signers put together. 

The reference to this patriot, and his family, by Lord Brougham, 
in his " Historical sketches of statesmen who flourished in the time 
of George III.," will explain his history and the reason of the ad- 
dition of his place of residence to his name. Lord Brougham says : — 

" His family was settled in Maryland ever since the reign of James 
II., and had during that period been possessed of the same ample 
property — the largest in the union. It stood therefore at the head 
of the aristocracy of the country; was naturally in alliance with the 
government ; could gain nothing, while it risked everything by a 
change of dynasty ; and, therefore, according to all the rules, and 
the prejudices and the frailties which are commonly found guiding 
men in a crisis of affairs, Charles Carroll might have been expected 
to take a part against revolt, certainly never to join in promoting it. 
Such, however, was not this patriotic person. He was among the 
foremost to sign the celebrated declaration of independence. All 
who did so were believed to have devoted themselves and their fam- 
ilies to the Furies. As he set his hand to the instrument, the whis- 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 55 

per ran round the hall of Congress, ' There goes some millions of 
property ! ' And there being many of the same name, when they 
heard it, said : ' Nobody will know what Carroll it is,' as no one 
wrote more than his name, and one at his elbow remarked, address- 
ing him : ' You'll get clear — there are several of the name — they will 
not know which to take.' ' Not so ! ' he replied ; and instant!) 
added his residence, ' of Carrollton.' " 

Nor was this all that can be said of this remarkable man. In 
1827 the editor of the then Philadelphia National Gazelle published 
a biography of Mr. Carroll, which appeared in the Amc7'ican Q?iaj'- 
terly Review ; and in it he stated, that shortly before the revolution- 
ary war, Mr. Carroll wrote to a member of parliament as follows : — 

" Your thousands of soldiers may come, but they will be masters of 
the spot only on which they encamp. They will find naught but 
enemies before and around them. If we are beaten on the plains, 
we will retreat to the mountains, and defy them. Our resources will 
increase with our difficulties. Necessity will force us to exertion; 
until tired of combating in vain against a spirit which victory cannot 
subdue, your enemies will evacuate our soil, and your country retire, 
an immense loser from the contest. No, sir ! We have made up 
our minds to bide the issue of the approaching struggle ; and though 
much blood may be spilled, we have no doubt of our ultimate 
success." 

He was appointed with Dr. Franklin and Mr. Chase, Commis- 
sioners to Canada, in behalf of the struggling Colonies. 

He lived to be the lasl surviviuir signer of the Declaration of In- 
dependence. As has been well said of him : — " Like a peaceful 
stream his days glided along, and continued to be lengthened out, till 



56 THE CHURCH AND HER SONS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. 

the generation of illustrious men with whom he acted on that memor- 
able Fourth of July, 1776, had all descended to the tomb." He died 
in 1S32 — 

" Full of years and honors, 
Through the gate of painless slumber he retired." 

In his last days he uttered these remarkable words : " I have lived 
to my ninety-sixth year; I have enjoyed continued health; I have 
been blessed with great wealth, propert)-, and most of the good 
things which the world can bestow — public approbation, applause ; 
but what I now look back on with the c;reatest satisfaction to myself 
is that / have practiced the duties of my re/ioioii." 

Nor is Charles Carroll the only one of the name entitled to hon- 
orable mention, as a distinguished patriot of the Revolution. Rev. 
John Carroll took as active a part in behalf of the Colonies, as was 
consistent with his position as a clergyman. He was employed by 
Dr. Franklin on a confidential mission to Canada, in reference to the 
then lately declared independence of the Colonies — and afterwards 
became the first Archbishop of Baltimore — the first Episcopal See 
in the country. 

THE CATHOLIC SOLDIER IN THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE. 

In attempting to refer to the long list of Catholic patriots who 
distinguished themselves in the Revolutionary war, I am at a loss 
where to begin, as space will not permit me to make honorable men- 
tion of them all. 

At the head of the list is the name of that distinsfuished hero — 
General Lafayette — who, leaving the comforts of home, happiness 
and wealth, crossed the ocean in a vessel fitted out at his own ex- 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 57 

pense, and, laying aside his rank, " plunged into the dust and blood 
of our inauspicious struggle." The world affords no nobler illustra- 
tion of disinterested heroism, and gallant and generous conduct than 
that exhibited by Lafayette, Rochambeau, Fleury, Dupartail, Low- 
zun, Count De Grasse, Pulaski, De Kalb, Kosiusko and other Catho- 
lic lovers of liberty, in their efforts in aid of the establishment of 
American independence. 

The first American navy must not be forgotten, with its first and 
Catholic Commodore, John Barry ; appointed by Washington to 
form the infant navy of this country, and who has been appropri- 
ately styled " Saucy Jack Barry, father of the American navy." 
Many of his sailors and mariners, who so gallantly assisted the land 
forces, in the contest for freedom, were, like himself, Irish Catholics. 

General Stephen Moylan, first quarter-master of the revolutionary 
army, was also a Catholic. Washington, recognizing his ability, ap- 
pointed him to that position, the duties of which, even under all the 
trying circumstances incident to an impoverished country and de- 
pleted treasury, he performed to the satisfaction of all. 

It is also worthy of note, that a large number of the men who 
composed the command of General Anthony Wayne, and whose 
fighting- qualities eained for their commander the cognomen of 
" Mad Anthony Wayne — the ever-fighting general," were Irish and 
German Catholics. 

In the year 1780, the cause of American independence was men- 
aced by dangers more formidable than the English forces which op- 
posed them. The continental currency had depreciated in value, 
and become almost worthless, and the commissary of the army was 
without the means to supply the troops with subsistence. Gaunt 



58 THE CHURCH AND HER SONS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. 

famine stared Washington's little army in the face, and all ihe evils 
attendant upon such a condition of affairs — discontent, desertion and 
mutiny — threatened to defeat and destroy the great object and end 
sought to be accomplished ; and when, in the dark hours and destitu- 
tion of Valley Forge, Washington united with Congress in an appeal 
to the colonists for pecuniary assistance, and when, in the language 
of another, "the urgent expostulations of the commander-in-chief 
and the strenuous recommendations of Congress, had utterly failed 
to arouse the American public to a just sense of the crisis," none 
responded more promptly than did the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick 
— an Irish Catholic society — twenty-seven members of which con- 
tributed 103,500 pounds sterling — over half a million of dollars. 
This patriotic act of liberality was fully appreciated by Washing- 
ton, who wrote the Society a very complimentary letter, and 
declared it to be "distinguished for the firm adherence of its 
members to the glorious cause in which we are embarked." The 
same compliment could be paid to Thomas Fitzsimmons, who sub- 
scribed a loan of twenty-five thousand dollars to aid in carrying on 
the glorious war. 

Such acts of disinterested patriotism may not appear to be so 
very great, or important, to those who are purse proud among us ; 
but if it was patriotic for our millionaires and wealthy fellow-citizens 
to loan their money to the government during the late war with the 
South, with all the extraordinary inducements offered — with an op- 
portunity to exchange their gold coin for double the amount in legal 
tenders, and bonds of the government, secured by the faith and 
credit of the country, at a time when one of our states contained 
nearly as large a population as the colonies contained, and more 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 59 

available wealth than they could then command — how much more 
patriotic was it for those men to come forward and contribute their 
money in the manner and under the circumstances in which they 
did ! All honor to the men, who in the darkest hours of our nation's 
history, by their deeds of valor and patriotic virtue and liberality, 
set an example worthy the imitation of their fellow-citizens to the 
end of time ! 

WASHINGTON'S TRIBUTE TO CATHOLIC PATRIOTS. 

No one appreciated the part which Catholics took and performed, 
in the struggle for American independence, more than did the im- 
mortal Washington himself. After the war was over, and he was 
elected first President of the new Republic, he received a congratu- 
latory address from the Catholics of the United States, signed by 
Bishop Carroll of Baltimore, on the part of the Catholic clergy, and 
by Charles Carroll of Carrollton, Daniel Carroll, Thomas Fitzsim- 
mons and Dominic Lynch, on the part of the Catholic laity. In 
that address they said : — 

"This prospect of national prosperity is peculiarly pleasing to us 
on another account, because, whilst our country preserves her free- 
dom and independence, we shall have a well-founded title to claim 
from her justice and equal rights of citizenship, as the price of our 
blood spilt under your eyes, and of our common exertions for her 
defense, under your auspicious conduct ; rights rendered more dear 
to us by the remembrance of former hardships." 

To this portion of the address, Washington replying, said : — 

" As mankind become more liberal, they will be the more apt to 
allow, that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of 



6o THE CHURCH AND HER SONS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. 

the community, are equally entitled to the protection of civil govern- 
ment. I hope ever to see America the foremost nation in examples 
of justice and liberality. And I presume that your fellow-citizens 
will not forget the patriotic part which you took in the accomplish- 
ment of their revolution, and the establishment of their government ; 
or the important assistance they received from a nation in which the 
Roman Catholic faith is professed." 

No denomination of Christians exhibited greater zeal, in the 
struggle for independence, or more anxiety for its success, or mani- 
fested more joy at its glorious termination than did the Catholics. 
And when the war was over, and a grateful and sorrowing country 
mourned his death, and sought by every means to do honor to him 
who was " first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his 
countrymen," it remained for Bishop Carroll to deliver in the Cathe- 
dral at Baltimore, what was conceded to be the most solid, eloquent 
and noble oration upon Washington. 

After the battle of New Orleans, it was in the Catholic Cathedral 
that General Jackson was received in triumph, and the laurel garland 
of victory — woven by Catholic hands — placed upon his brow by a. 
Catholic priest, and the noble hero could have been seen weeping 
with joyful emotion, as he listened and responded to the eloquent 
address of the Rev. Mr. Dubourg. In a beautiful address de- 
livered some years ago in Washington, by Mr. Livingston, the dis- 
tinguished orator feelingly alluded to the pavement of that church 
being worn smooth, by the holy knees of the Ursuline nuns, praying 
fervently that victory might perch on the American banner, and 
drawing from the feast of the day — that of St. Victoria — an omen 
of success. 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 6 1 

It is a fact not generally known that one-half of the soldiers of 
the Revolutionary Army of the United States were of Irish birth. 
During the seven years of that war, which secured our independence 
as a nation, the forces raised by the United States consisted of 
288,000 men, of which 232,000 were Continental soldiers and 
56,000 militia. Of this army there were two Irishmen to every 
native. At the close of the war, a Mr. Galloway, who had been 
Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly, was examined before a com- 
mittee of the House of Commons, and asked what the Continental 
Army was composed of. Here is his answer: — "The names and 
places of their nativity being taken down, I can answer the question 
with precision. There are scarcely one-fourth natives of America ; 
about one-half were Irish, and the other fourth principally Scotch 
and English." Now, it needs no guess to determine what the relig- 
ious belief of those Irish revolutionary soldiers was, and when we 
take into consideration the large number of Catholic soldiers, of 
other nationalities, who came with and fought under Lafayette, 
Rochambeau, Pulaski, Kosiusko, De Kalb and others already named, 
we are fully justified in believing that one-half of the soldiers in the 
Revolutionary Army of the United States were Catholics. I com- 
mend this historical fact to the consideration of those who think we 
are indebted to native Americans and Protestants, alone, for the 
achievement of our national independence. 

In all the subsequent wars in which the United States has been 
engaged, Catholic valor and patriotism has maintained a position 
corresponding with its earlier history, and contributed its full share 
to the successes which have attended them. Side by side with the 
names of Charles Carroll, Barry, Lafayette, Moylan, Fitzsimmons and 



62 THE CHURCH AND HER SONS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. 

Archbishop Carroll, will be found those of Sheridan, Rosecrans, 
Shields y Meagher, Newton, Mulligan, Ewing, Sands, Ammen ; and 
that army of noble prelates at the head of whom we place Cardinals 
McCloskey and Gibbons, Archbishops Hughes and Ireland. 

THE CATHOLIC SOLDIER IN THE CIVIL WAR. 

At the head of the list of those Catholic officers who acquired dis- 
tinction in the war of the Rebellion, I place General Sheridan. 

I had the honor to be a member of that Cono-ress which attended 
in a body, the funeral service of General Sheridan, at St. Mathews 
Church, in the city of Washington. That scene will always come 
vividly before me, as memory recalls to mind that great soldier and 
defender of the Union. There the people of our whole country, in 
the person of their official representatives, gathered around his bier, 
to do honor to the departed patriot-hero, and to attest a nation's- 
sorrow and gratitude for the great services which he had rendered in 
the suppression of the rebellion. In front sat the President, sur- 
rounded by members of his Cabinet, flanked by the officers of the 
Army [and Navy on the one side, and the judges of the Supreme 
Court on the other ; next came the Senate and House of Represent- 
atives, and members of the Diplomatic corps ; then the officers of 
the different other departments of the government ; representatives 
of the press, and other influential persons. It was a memorable and 
truly impressive gathering and scene. The offering up of that 
solemn requiem high mass ; the truly eloquent and masterly sermon 
of Cardinal Gibbons and the appropriately grand music of the mag- 
nificent choir of that church, will be remembered by all the partici- 
pants in that solemn ceremony, as long as life lasts. 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 63 

As I listened to the beautiful but mournful music of the choir, I 
fell into a reverie, and mused upon the life and career of him whose 
remains lay before us. — I saw him a boy at Somerset, Ohio, the son 
of poor but respectable Catholic parents, having the ambition and 
nerve to write to the member of Congress from that district to 
secure his appointment at West Point, to succeed, and then to grad- 
uate with honor, and distinguish himself as an Indian fighter. I 
saw him soon after the outbreak of our civil war, taking command 
of the Second Michigan Volunteer Cavalry, and in less than two 
months winning the stars of a brigadier-general at the battle of 
Boonville ; then at Perryville at the head of the Eleventh Division 
gaining new fame by his resistance of the dare-devil forces of 
Hardee and Leydell ; then at Stone River, with Rosecrans, again 
distinguishing himself; then at Mission Ridge, as at the front of his 
men he led them up toward the lofty summit, through the cross fire 
of the Confederates, from the ramparts above ; then at Winchester, 
where he clinched with and defeated Early ; then at Appomatox, 
where his dash put the finishing stroke to the rebellion, then receiv- 
ing from General Lee the flag of truce that announced the close of 
the war. Then peace was declared, and I saw him receive, equally 
with Grant and Sherman, the thanks and plaudits of his country, 
and his-iiame received with enthusiastic cheers wherever mentioned. 
Here ni)' musing brought to mind an incident in his career which 
has become as historical as it was dramatic. 

It was the night before the battle of Cedar Mills — a time when 
the fate of the Union hungf tremblings in the balance. In the war 
office, at Washington, sat Secretary Stanton in consultation with 
General Sheridan, upon some grave subject ; for it was long after 



64 THE CHURCH AND HER SONS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. 

midnight. In the adjoining room sat General Eckert, superintend- 
ent of miHtary telegraph lines, beside the instruments, watching for 
messages from the armies at the front. Morning was fast approach- 
ing. Presently a click of the instrument caught Gen. Eckert's ear. 
It was a call from Winchester. To his prompt response came the 
message : — " There is danger here. Hurry Sheridan to tlie front." 
In an instant the message was handed to the two in consultation in 
the next room. Gen. Sheridan came to the instrument and there 
was a hurried conversation over the wire with his headquarters. 
Intercepted dispatches of the enemy showed that Longstreet had 
arrived in front and learning of Sheridan's absence, had ordered 
Early to attack Sheridan's army. 

The railroad was at once ordered cleared, and an engine to report 
in readiness. Sheridan left the war office and is soon aboard the 
panting engine, and away they speed to Harper's Ferry. Every 
station on the railroad reported his progress to Gen. Eckert, and 
.Secretary Stanton, who waited to hear that Sheridan had reached 
his destination. Harper's Ferry at last reported his arrival, and a 
fresh engine is ready to take him to Winchester, and then comes 
the welcome report: — "Sheridan has just reached Winchester." 
The run had been made in the shortest time ever made over the 
line, and the anxious watchers in the war office breathed freer to 
know that he had reached there without accident. But he was not 
yet at his destination. There he mounted his favorite black charger, 
that had carried him safely through many a battle, and away through 
the town and up the Shenandoah Valley he rode, as only Sheridan 
could ride, on such an occasion. Then I saw him meet his retreat- 
rig and demoralized army and reach the field and turn defeat into 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 65 

victory, and the battle of Cedar Creek was won. I saw Gen. Grant, 
then at City Point, order a salute of one hundred guns fired from each 
of the armies in honor of this victory, and President Lincoln pro- 
mote him to a Major-Generalship in the regular army, and person- 
ally notif)- him of this in a letter of thanks. I saw him standing 
side by side with Grant when Lee surrendered, and crowned with 
honors on the disbanding of the armies, and awoke from my reverie 
to find the nation mourning his death, as to-day we mourn the loss 
of his grand companion in arms, General Sherman. 

As I recall this now, I wonder what the great-hearted and liberal- 
minded people of t'liis nation would have said, if a Burchard, a Burrell 
or a Burgess had then raised his voice in opposition to their doing 
honor to the " Hero of Winchester," because, forsooth, he wor- 
shipped God in a Catholic Church, and educated his children in the 
Catholic Academy of the Visitation. 

Next on our list is General Rosecrans — the last survivor of that 
grand quartet : Grant, Sherman, Sheridan and Rosecrans. The 
name of "Old Rosey " is also a household word with our Union 
veterans, and is mentioned with love and veneration by every soldier 
of tlie Army of the Cumberland. 

When the bill placing him on the retired list was before Congress, 
many eloquent appeals for its passage were made, and I wish to 
quote briefiy from remarks of some of the Union officers who then 
spoke in its favor. 

General B. M. Cutcheon of Michigan, said : 

" When the tocsin of war sounded. General Rosecrans did not 
hesitate or falter, but he left everything behind him and laid all that 
he had upon the altar of his country, and when we needed victory. 



66 THE CHURCH AND HER SONS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. 

when this country in its heart of hearts was aching for want of vic- 
tory, General Rosecrans in the very beginning, in West Virginia, 
gave us victory. Again in the far Southwest, at luka, he gave us 
victory. He was promoted step by step from Colonel to Brigadier- 
General, and from that to Major-General, and was placed at the head 
of the Army of the Cumberland, and again, in the closing days of 
December, 1862, at Stone River he lighted the horizon of this whole 
country from edge to edge with the fires of victory. Then, following 
that, he gave us one of the most magnificent specimens of perfect 
strategy that the entire war afforded, in the Tullahoma campaign, 
when, almost without the sacrifice of a life, he flanked Bragg out of 
his fortified position at Tullahoma and carried his army across the 
mountains into the valley of Chickamauga." 

Hon. O. L. Jackson of Pennsylvania, who served four years in the 
Army of the Tennessee, said : 

" It was Rosecrans who commanded and directed the brave men at 
Stone River on. those fearful winter days when again the tide of 
battle was turned southward. It was under him Phil Sheridan first 
rode at the head of a division, and on this bloody field gave evidence 
of the hiofh rank he was afterwards to obtain. It was Rosecrans' 
skill and genius that maneuvered the enemy out of Chattanooga and 
gave the Army of the Cumberland a position at Chickamauga that 
enabled him to hold at bay Bragg's army, reenforced by one of the 
best corps from the rebel army on the Potomac. 

" Do not forget that it was under Rosecrans that Thomas stood, the 
Rock of Chickamauga. 

" Mr. Speaker, there was a day in the nation's peril when good 
Abraham Lincoln thousfht he oueht to send the thanks of the nation 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 6/ 

to General Rosecrans and the officers and men of his command for 
their great services in the field." 

Gen. David B. Henderson, of Iowa, who left a leg on the battle- 
field, electrified the House by his appeal in behalf of his old com- 
mander. In the course of his remarks he said : 

" As a member of the Army of the Tennessee, I followed both 
Grant and Rosecrans. I fought under Rosecrans at Corinth. 

" I was with him in that battle, and he was the only general that I 
ever saw closer to the enemy than we were who fought in the front, 
for in that great battle he dashed in front of our lines when the 
flower of Price's army was pouring death and destruction into our 
ranks. The bullets had carried off his hat, his hair was floating in 
the wind, and, protected by the God of battle, he passed along the 
lines and shouted, ' Soldiers, stand by your flag and your country ! ' 
We obeyed his orders. We crushed Price's army, and gave the 
country the great triumph of the battle of Corinth. General Rose- 
crans was the central, the leading, and the victorious spirit." 

Gen. J. B. Weaver of Iowa, also spoke eloquently in behalf of 
Rosecrans, under whom he served, and in doing so said : 

" I, too, had the honor to participate in the battle at Corinth in 
1862, and I know, and the country knows, that but for the magnifi- 
cent strategy of Rosecrans, his soldierly bearing, his wonderful grasp 
of and attention to the details of that battle, the Army of the Soutli- 
west would have been overthrown, and the consequences could not 
have been foretold. He decoyed the army of Price on to the spot 
where he designed to fight the battle, and the result was that he was 
victorious and captured parts of sixty-nine different commands serv- 
ing under Price and Van Dorn and the other Confederate com- 



68 THE CHURCH AND HER SONS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. 

manders. In that important battle he saved the cause of the Union 
in the Southwest. Rosecrans was a splendid soldier, a valuable 
officer, and he is now a most honorable citizen. Few are more dis- 
tinsfuished. He is one of the heroes of this acre, and his name will 
live forever." 

These extracts from four of the fourteen speeches that were de- 
livered in support of that bill, must suffice for this occasion. And, 
my friends, these speeches were not delivered at the close of the great 
conflict, when the war feeling ran high. They were made in the last 
Congress ; and every one of the speakers from whom I have quoted 
were non-Catholics, and knew General Rosecrans to be an out- 
spoken and practical Catholic ; for it was a common occurrence for 
him, during the war, to have the sacrifice of the Mass offered up at 
his headquarters in the field. 

I speak from personal knowledge, when I say that the visitor to 
the city of Washington, will find no more regular attendant at the 
sacrifice of the Mass, in that decidedly Catholic city, than General 
Rosecrans — gallant and grand " Old Rosey," the hero and idol of 
the Army of the Cumberland. He is a regular attendant at St. 
Mathew's Church, and he can be seen in his pew there, at divine ser- 
vice, on every day that a practical Catholic should, if possible, and 
on many other days. Like Sheridan's, his life in Washington, in its 
simplicity and modest demeanor, is a model of all that a worthy cit- 
izen of this great republic of ours should be. It is difficult for the 
stranger to believe that the kind and mild-mannered gentleman, who 
is now the Register of the United States Treasury, is none other 
than " Old Rosey," who so often led his men, sword in hand, where 
the battle racred hottest and fiercest. 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 69 

Next to General Rosecrans, we place General Shields ; the hero 
of two wars, and United States Senator from three states, Illinois, 
Minnesota and Missouri, who carried through life the scars of severe 
wounds, received in both the Mexican war and that of the Rebellion. 

Next we name General Meagher, the dashing commander of the 
famous Irish Brigade, and brave General Mulligan, "the hero of 
Lexington," whose dying words on the field of battle — " Lay me 
down and save the flag " — have made him famed in song and story. 

Among the distinguished officers of the Union Army were other 
Catholics, whose names will be familiar to many of you, when men- 
tioned. I can only recall and name these : — • 

General Ewing, brother-in-law of General Sherman. 

General Newton, Chief of Engineers, and later known to fame as 
having planned and executed the world renowned ensfineerine feat 
of the destruction of the " Hell Gate " obstructions, in New York 
harbor. 

General Henry Hunt, Chief of Artillery of the Army of the Po- 
tomac, and late governor of the Soldier's Home at Washineton. 

General Stone of the Army of the Potomac, and afterwards Chief 
of Staff and Lieutenant-General of the armies of the Khedive of 
Egypt. 

General McMahon of the Army of the Potomac, and United 
States Marshal of the District of New York, under President Cleve- 
land. 

General Rucker, late Quartermaster-General of the Army. 

General Vincent, Assistant Adjutant-General of the Army, and 
since Chief of Staff to General Schofield. 

Colonel Jerome Bonaparte ; and, by no means the least, the brave 



70 THE CHURCH AND HER SONS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. 

General Garishe who, as Chief of Staff to General Rosecrans, fell at 
the battle of Stone River. 

But, I must stop here, as the list could be extended almost in- 
definitely. 

It can hardly be necessary to say, in this connection, that the 
Catholic Church had its full quota of representatives among the 
brave men who composed the rank and file of the army, and who 
performed the deeds of valor which made it possible for their officers 
to acquire the distinction and fame which is now accorded to them. 

Amono; the Catholic naval officers who distinofuished themselves 
and acquired national fame as leaders in the war of the Rebellion, 
I can now name Admiral Sands and Admiral Ammen. There were 
and are many of lesser rank in that branch of the service. 

BAYARD TAYLOR'S TESTIMONY— OLDEST REPUBLIC CATHOLIC. 

And yet there is nothing surprising in all this. It is but a repeti- 
tion of history, and a reflex of the love of liberty exhibited by Cath- 
olics in other portions of the world ; to prove which, I have but to 
quote from that celebrated traveler, and staunch Protestant, Bayard 
Taylor, who, in writing upon this point, during the Know-nothing 
excitement, said : 

" Truth compels us to add, that the oldest republic now existing 
is that of San Marino, not only Catholic but wholly surrounded by 
the especial dominions of the Popes, who might have crushed it like 
an egg-shell at any time, t'lese last thousand years — but they didn't. 
The only republic we ever traveled in besides our own is Switzerland, 
half of its Cantons, or states, entirely Catholic, yet never, that we 
have lieard of, unfaithful to the cause of freedom. They were nearly 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 7 I 

all Roman Catholics, from the Southern Cantons of Switzerland, 
whom Austria so ruthlessly expelled from Lombardy, after the sup- 
pression of the last revolt of Milan, accounting them natural born 
republicans and revolutionists ; and we suppose Austria is not a 
know-nothin^T on this point. We never heard of the Catholics of 
Hun<T-ary accused of backwardness in the late glorious struggle of 
their country for freedom, though its leaders were Protestants, fight- 
ino- ao-ainst a leading Catholic power, avowedly in favor of religious 
as well as civil liberty, — and chivalric unhappy Poland, almost wholly 
Catholic, has made as gallant struggles for freedom as any other 
nation, while of the three despotisms that crushed her, all but one 
' was Catholic' " 

CATHOLICS EMINENT IN THE CIVIL LIFE OF OUR REPUBLIC. 

Nor has the Catholic church of America any reason to be less 
proud of those of her members, who in the more peaceful walks of 
civil life, have acquired distinction and reflected credit upon their 
country. The list of their names — headed by that of Chief Justice 
Taney — embraces among them many of the most distinguished in 
the arts, sciences and professions. Of the present Catholic hierarchy 
of the United States, it is not necessary for me to speak. To the 
Catholic who is at all familiar with the present condition of the 
Church, their names are as familiar as household words. Distinguished 
for their learning and ability, as for their piety and zeal, they com- 
mand the respect and esteem not only of Catholics, but of all 
high-minded non-Catholics — who, I am pleased to say it, constitute 
a large portion of our dissenting fellow-citizens. We are certainly 
justified in entertaining the conviction that among the Catholic pre- 



72 THE CHURCH AXD HER SONS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. 

lates and clergy of this country, are to be found some of the most 
distinguished men of the present age. 

With the termination of the late terrible struggle which deluged our 
land with blood, and left its traces, in the habiliments of mourning 
which are still to be seen, as the sad relics of the war, from one end 
of the Union to the other, a new era da.wned upon Catholicity. The 
war has had its influence upon our political and social system, and also, 
to a certain extent, upon the sentiments of the people with reference 
to religion. Bringing together, by force of circumstances, all de- 
nominations, it brought thousands of PrV^testants — who knew nothing 
of the Catholic Church and her religion, except what they had 
learned through sources contaminated by prejudice — in intimate 
contact with Catholics ; and as a natural and logical result, their pre- 
conceived prejudices were removed, and they ceased to regard the 
Church with that abhorrence which they had formerly entertained. 
And to none are Catholics more indebted for bringing about this 
gratifying change than to those saintly beings, the Sisters of Charity, 

THE SISTERS AMONG THE WOUNDED AND DYING, 

whose labors in the cause of humanity and Catholicity (although ap- 
parently overlooked by me) have been proportionately equal to that 
of the missionaries. 

I cannot find laneuaee to refer to the acts of these holy women 
during the late war, more appropriate than the following extract 
from an editorial which appeared in 1868 in one of our state papers, 
the editor of which was a non-Catholic and had served in the Union 
army. He said : — 

" It has always been a matter of some surprise with us that the 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 73 

self-sacrificing labors of these angels in disguise have not been more 
specially noticed in the newspapers and in the thousand-and-one 
books written and published about the war. There is scarcely a 
battle field, a hospital or a prison within the whole broad compass of 
the war-scourged district that was not the scene of scores of acts of 
heroism and mercy performed by these women. Not with the 
pomp and parade of the Sanitary and Christian Commissions were 
these acts performed, but hundreds and thousands of living witnesses 
can this day testify that when the cruel bullet or burning fever had 
stricken them down, somehow a quiet-faced woman dressed in black, 
would find her way to their side and with the cup of cool water, the 
soothing ointment, or better than all, the word of encouragement 
and hope, give them a new lease of life. No question of creed or 
religious belief was asked or hinted at — their mission was one of 
gentleness and mercy — to smooth the pillow of the dying, and to com- 
fort and sustain the sick and afflicted, and nobly they performed 
their work. Yet how seldom do we to-day meet in public print, any 
acknowledgment of their works of charity and love. 

" It is safe to leave the reward of these women in the hands of that 
Saviour they are serving while they imitate His blessed example, 
and we know that human praise is distasteful to them, while human 
obloquy and scorn is unnoticed ; but we never see the familiar dress, 
and' quiet, meek features of a Sister oi Charity without an inward 
' God bless you,' and an instinctive desire to lift our hat to them as 
they pass." 

Well might the late Henry J. Raymond, in his paper (the New 
Yo7'k Times) in commenting, but a short time before his death, upon 
the labors of the Sisters, and the great want of proper nurses, that 



74 THE CHURCH AND HER SONS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. 

exists in our non-Catholic hospitals, and the many deaths that can 
be attributed to that cause, say : — 

" Does not all this suggest to our great Protestant Churches, the 
necessity of establishing some order of holy women, whose labors 
shall be akin to the Sisters of Charity, or rather we should say, akin 
to the angels? If we cannot have such an order, we earnestly hope, 
for the sake of suffering humanity, that the Catholic Church will de- 
vote itself more than ever, to enlarge the numbers and extend the 
beneficent labors of the Sisters." 

This candid admission — from one of the leading journals of the 
nation — of the gfreat grood which these self-sacrificinor women are do- 
ing, for the poor and unfortunate, in contradistinction to the spirit 
which, but a few years before the war of the Rebellion culminated in 
mob violence, and reduced convents to ashes, exhibits as much as 
any other evidence can the progress which the Catholic Church has 
made, in general public estimation, in the past quarter of a century. 
And its growth in power and greatness has been fully equal to its 
growth in popularity. From a few hundred thousand at the close of 
the Revolutionary war, its membership has increased to about one- 
fifth of the present population of the United States; or about twelve 
millions — a membership which is more than double that of any other 
denomination. 

OUR WORK THE HERITAGE OF ALL AMERICANS. 

With this imperfect epitome of the Catholic Pages of American 
History, I must close. It is necessarily brief and incomplete, be- 
cause it would be impossible to do more than I have done within 
the space that I should occupy with this paper. 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 75 

Imperfect and incomplete as it is, I trust that I have furnished 
L sufificient to satisfy the most prejudiced, that the children and mem- 
bers of the Catholic Church have been, at all periods of our country's 
history, among its truest friends, and are entitled to the proud dis- 
•| tinction of being the founders and chief builders of that magnificent 
temple of liberty which I mentioned in my opening paragraphs, and 
which our beloved country so grandly typifies. 

As we reflect upon these pages of our country's history, and en- 
tertain such a pride in it as would almost justify us in challenging 
our other fellow-citizens to point to a supcj'ior historical record, we 
should not forget that — as the successors of the distino-uished Cath- 
olics whom I have mentioned — we have a duty to perform. 

That duty is to prove that we are worthy to be the successors of 
the illustrious Catholics who have made this history. We can, by 
imitating their virtues and patriotism, show that a true and practical 
Catholic must necessarily be a good and worthy citizen of this great 
republic. 

Living thus, and not forgetting that these pages of American his- 
tory are the common property of us all — of our citizens of other be- 
lief as well — let us content ourselves with pointing to this record 
with pride, and in the spirit of truest brotherly love, invite our non- 
Catholic brethren to a friendly rivalry for higher purposes, in what 
we hope and pray to be the glorious future of our country to the end 
of time. 



IN THE WAR WITH SPAIN/ 



The war between the United States and Spain, which has just 
been brought to a successful termination, and again demonstrated 
the invincibiHty of our army and navy, and compelled the powers of 
the old world to recognize that ours is one of the great nations of the 
earth, furnished another opportunity for the people of the United 
States to see that in the members of the Catholic Church our coun- 
try could always find defenders as patriotic, fearlessly brave and 
loyal as it possesses in any other denomination within its limits. 
The record made by the Catholic soldiers and sailors in this war has 
again, in most crushing manner, refuted and confounded all bigots of 
the " A. P. A." kind. 

BEFORE WAR WAS DECLARED, 
our hierarchy and priests, as became men of peace, and faithful 
followers of Him who taught " peace on earth and good will to man," 
exerted their influence to avert war and bloodshed; but when all 
such efforts failed, and Congress and the President were compelled to 
declare war, and the question became one of victory or defeat to our 
arms, these holy men, with a unanimity hardly equalled, at once took 
the stand of ardent patriots and supplicants at the throne of grace 
for the success of our arms. For the double purpose of showing 
this, and as evidence that ours is 

A RESTORED UNION, 

I will select and quote from the pastoral of Bishop Byrne of Nash- 
ville, Tennessee, addressed to the clergy of his diocese, on the 24th 
day of April, 1898 ; directing that prayers be offered up in their sev- 

* Judge Macdonald has prepared the following pages, upon the attitude of the 
Catholics of this country, and the part they took, in tlie Spanish-American War, as an 
addenda to his paper, and the same is here inserted as such. 

76 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. "]"] 

cral churches, at each service, for " victory, honor and peace." In it 
he said : 

" The events that have succeeded the blowing up of the battleship 
' Maine,' and the sacrifice of 266 innocent victims and patriotic seamen 
of the United States Navy, have culminated in war between Spain 
and our beloved country. 

" Whatever may have been the individual judgment of Americans 
prior to the moment when war broke out as to Its wisdom or the 
adequacy of the reasons advanced in the justification, there can be 
now no two opinions as to the duty of every loyal American citizen. 
A resort to arms was determined upon by the Chief Executive of the 
nation, with the advice of both branches of Congress, and after con- 
sultation with his Cabinet, but not until he had exhausted all other 
honorable means to bring about a peaceable settlement of the diffi- 
culties between this country and Spain. 

"The patient calmness, the quiet dignity, the subdued firmness, the 
patriotic and forbearing attitude of President McKinley during the 
trying days that Intervened between the blowing up of the 'Maine' 
and the actual breaking out of war, are beyond all praise, and should 
be the admiration of every American. 

" We are all true Americans, and as such loyal to our country and 
to its flag and obedient to the highest decrees and the supreme author- 
ity of our nation. * * * * It is not only lawful but laudable to pray 
for the temporal and spiritual well-being of the brave soldiers who 
are battling in the defense of their country and ours, and to beg the 
God of battles to crown their arms on land and sea with victory and 
triumph, to stay the unnecessary effusion of blood and to speedily 
restore peace to our beloved land and people. 

" To this end we direct that on and after the receipt of this circular 
and until the close of the war every priest of this diocese will say In 
his daily Masses; * * * * announcing beforehand the Intention for 
which the prayers are said. 

" Praying that God may bless and preserve our country In this 
crisis and speedily bring victory^ honor and peace to all our people, 
I am faithfully yours in Christ." 

In May last (1S9S) the silver jubilee of Archbishop Corrlgan was 



78 THE CHURCH AND HER SONS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. 

fittingly celebrated in New York City, and — as might be expected — 
was participated in by a very large gathering of prelates, priests and 
people. After the ceremony at the Cathedral was over, the Papal 
Delegate and Archbishop Corrigan, with the visiting archbishops, 
bishops, and monsignori, and about 400 priests, proceeded to the or- 
phanage near by, where a banquet was served. Bishop Farley acted 
as toastmaster. 

In introducing Bishop McOuaid, of Rochester, to speak to the 
toast, "Our Country," Bishop Farley said that "this was the great- 
est country that man ever lived for, bled for, or died for. Now that 
it was engaged in a deadly struggle, the Catholics of the country 
would be among the first to risk their lives in its defense." At this 
sentiment there was a wild outburst of applause. Bishop McQuaid 
was received with the sinofine of the 

"RED, WHITE AND BLUE," 

led by Archbishop Ryan, of Philadelphia. He said : 

" A child of this great city of New York, I feel that love of 
country down to the very marrow of my bones, that love which is 
born within us, and in which the country shall find its security 
against whatever elements of passion rise up to assail it. We Amer- 
icans know that we have a country to live for, to build up, and to 
leave to those who come after us ; to make of it the home of the op- 
pressed, for those who come to us not as beggars, but as willing 
hands to assist in the upbuilding of this Republic. When we find 
that the principles underlying our Government are those which make 
people great and noble, have we not cause to be proud of this country 
of ours ? The nations of Europe have again and again pointed at us 
the finger of scorn, and have taken pains to blazen our faults and fail- 
ings to the world. But we are not looking for lessons from Europe. 
We want a country unshackled by the chains of European customs. 
Our forefathers laid down for us principles that are abiding, and I am 
not so much a believer in armies and navies as in the good strong 
common-sense of the American people. I believe in an army that 
will embrace all the people, which will enable us to defy the 
world, and in time of war to call not a million but ten million men 



THE TESTIMOXV Ol-' GREAT WRITERS. 79 

into the field. Then shall we be able to dictate to Europe and the 
world the doctrine of peace." 

Another instance : At the Church of the Paulist Fathers, New 
York City, on "Slay 2gth, 1S9S, — but a few days after war was de- 
clared, — the annual memorial services for the soldiers and sailors 
who uied in the war for the Union were held. The attendance was 
unusually large, and the members of nearly every G. A. R. Post in 
the city were present as guests of honor. The address of the eve- 
ning was by 

REVEREND WALTER ELLIOT 
(himself a member of A. T. A. Torbert Post, No. 24), and was 
devoted largely to a discussion of our war with Spain and the duty 
of the hour. In that addregs Father Elliot said : 

" The duty of the hour is warlike ardor. In time of war, devotion 
to one's country is the fierce purpose to overcome her enemies. 
There is no citizen so religious a lover of peace as to be exempt from 
praying for victory for the National arms. As the soldier at the 
front stands his ground unto death, so we at home must unalterably 
resolve that America shall conquer her enemy, and we must practi- 
cally cooperate to this absorbing end. Skulking from the point of 
danger may be the crime of the citizen in any station ; whether in the 
military uniform or not. 

"Just war is always a choice of evils. This war — we call Heaven 
to witness — has been forced upon us. We have but voiced with the 
thunder of our war-ships the sentiment of mankind — that the fair island 
at our door should no longer be made the slaughter-pen of women 
and children. America, In this war for humanity, has said this : 'I 
had rather be killed trying to arrest my neighbor, starving his 
wife and children, than live on with the torment of a coward's 
conscience.' ***=:= 

"This war, thank God, with its unitive force, has given the final 
notes to the sweet hymn of peace which began so plaintively when 
Robert E. Lee surrendered his stainless sword to Ulysses S. 
Grant. * * * * 

" Meantime and always, Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. 
War is only good because it breaks peace which is worse than war. 



8o THE CHURCH AND HER SONS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. 

We are for war in the interest of peace. No animosity sliall poison 
the souls of true patriots. No race hatred shall profane the sacred 
cause of this nation, a nation which is the divine blendine of the 
blood of all nations. And whatever territory shall be gained by our 
valor, let us thank God rather for the victory than for the spoils, and 
let us treat our acquisition and their inhabitants as being set over 
them by the Great Father of Battles /« loco parentis." 

The exercises closed with the sinking of " America" and " Nearer, 
My God, to Thee." 

I could also quote from the patriotic utterances, upon the same sub- 
ject, of, notably. Cardinal Gibbons, and Archbishops Ireland, cf St. 
Paul ; Elder, of Cincinnati, and Gross, of Oregon ; and of hundreds 
of our other bishops and clergy, but space will not permit. As 

THE NAVY 
was the first to gain great victories over the Spaniards, I will first re- 
fer to that branch of the service. Prior to this war there were in our 
navy, in round numbers, eleven thousand enlisted men (including ap- 
prentices on regular cruising ships), and between four and five thou- 
sand of them (nearly one-half) were, and are, Catholics. It is under- 
stood that the proportion of officers who are Catholics is nearly the 
same. 

After the magnificent victory of Admiral Dewey at Manila, the 
attention of the department was called to the large number of Catho- 
lics in Dewey's fleet, and the great want felt by them for a chaplain 
of their own faith, and the justice of this claim was so manifest that 
Rev. W. H. I. Reaney, who had been chaplain at the Brooklyn Navy- 
yard, was at once (in May, 1S98) assigned to Admiral Dewey's ship 
"Olympia." Father Reaney immediately jDroceeded there, and has 
been with the Philippina squadron ever since. 

THE MEN OF THE MAINE. 

Of the 266 brave men whose lives were sacrificed by the blowing 
up of the " Maine," over half of them were Catholics ; and their 
heroic young chaplain, Father Chidwick, has added luster to the 
already splendid record of our priesthood. He was spared by Divine 
Providence from that awful explosion, and was the last to leave the 
sinking ^hip, after doing all in his power to rescue and save the 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 8 1 

ma.med and wounded. Immediately after that terrible affair, the 
newspaper correspondents vied with each other in applauding him 
for his noble devotion to duty in that trying moment, and the govern- 
ment, in recognition of his acts and service, promoted him and as- 
signed him to the chaplaincy of the " Cincinnati." The following 
pen picture of Father Chidwick, written by the well-known corre- 
spondent, Malcolm McDowell, to the Chicago Record, while the 
" Cincinnati" was lying off Key West, preparing to engage in the 
blockade of Cuba, is the description of a model chaplain that should 
be preserved. Mr. McDowell said : 

"FATHER CHIDWICK, 
chaplain of the ' Cincinnati,' is easily the most popular man in Key 
West, afloat or ashore. This little priest, who rowed around and 
around the battered wreck of the ' Maine ' for an hour after it had eone 
down, sobbing, ' Boys, my boys, are any of you alive ? Answer, 
boys, it's Father Chidwick. Do you hear me, boys?' and cried as 
only a strong man can cry when the heart is near breaking when no 
voice replied, is ever at his work. Wherever there is a sailor, officer 
or marine who is a member of his church, there Father Chidwick goes 
to hear his confession, write letters, admonish and encourage. Pro- 
testants vie with Catholics in doing honor to the little hazel-eyed 
chaplain. Less than thirty years of age, with a face showing kind- 
ness and good nature in every line of a sunny disposition, he bears 
out Captain Sigsbee's remark : ' Father Chidwick is a good priest, a 
royal gentleman, and a first-class seaman.' Long before the ' Maine' 
disaster brought his name prominently before the people, Father 
Chidwick was a favorite with the officers and men in the navy. He 
is a stanch friend of 'jack-tar,' and, it is said, knows the men in 
this fleet better than their commanding officers do. The men of the 
' Cincinnati ' do not growl when they are ordered to row Father 
Chidwick ashore that he may celebrate early mass in the Catholic 
church of Key West. He is always hailed by' the ' jackies' who are 
waiting in the basin to take their officers aboard on steam-launches 
or in whale-boats. He does not wear the queer-looking clerical cos- 
tume prescribed by the Navy Department for ship chaplains, but 
goes about in the dress worn by the Catholic priests ashore. Every 



82 THE CHURCH AND HER SONS IN AMERICAN HISTORV. 

man, woman and child in Key West knows him, and he who is in a 
hurry must not walk with Father Chidwick, for he is stopped every 
other step by some one, American, white, black, Conch or Cuban, 
who wants to shake hands with the kindly-hearted and youthful- 
looking 'father.' " 

The daring deed of the 

SINKING OF THE "MERRIMAC* 
in the entrance to Santiago harbor was an act of patriotic heroism 
that electrified not only this country, but the civilized world, and 
made the name of Hobson and his men famous in song and story; 
and it is but justice to them to state that five of the seven heroes 
who accompanied Hobson, and by that act so cheerfully tendered 
their lives to their country, were Catholics. 

I wish to here say a word in favor of the personnel of the men of 
our navy, regardless of their religious belief. The sailors of the 
old-time navies were not a class of men to pattern after ; but the 
character of the enlisted men of our navy of the present day has 
improved with our war vessels, and it is a great injustice to the 
man-of-war's man of to-day to regard him as of the same class as 
the old-time reckless, dissipated and improvident "jack-tar." In a 
magazine article, which appeared nearly a year before the Spanish- 
American War, Father Chidwick, upon this, said : 

" It is time that people banish from their minds the old conception 
of a man-of-war's man. The drunken and abusive sailor, staggering 
through the streets or loud in profanity in a low saloon, is not the type 
of our men of to-day. These are as superior to their predecessors as 
the ships of the new navy are to those of the old. They are capable, 
intelligent, self-respecting men. Every day they are becoming more 
so. The uniform which our sailors of old wore with honor and 
pride in battle and danger they disgraced too often, unfortunatel}', 
by their sprees ashore. Our men are not lacking in the efficiency 
and courage of their predecessors, and do not yield one iota to their 
fellow citizens ashore in obedience to law and self-respect. It is dif- 
ficult to convince people of this truth. We cling tenaciously to old 
ideas and we quote exceptions to justify our position. The men of 
our navy to-day are not only entitled to the admiration of our people 
for their pluck and daring, but to their est'f'em for the manner in 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 83 

which, under all circumstances, they honor the uniform it is their 
proud boast to wear." 

In this connection, and in concluding what I have to say about 
our navy, I will incorporate a very interesting and touching account, 
by a correspondent of the New York Evening Sun, of an incident 
that will make all feel good to hear of, and proud of our glorious 
navy. It is as follows : 

" One of the most graceful of the many graceful acts that charac- 
terized the war with Spain was performed by sailors of the United 
States cruiser 'Newark' on August 15. Many of the officers and 
crew of this ship on that day visited the wreck of the Spanish war- 
ship ' Vizcaya,' near Santiago. Some of the officers who went over 
reported on their return that there were many bodies to be seen, and 
Dr. Harmon, the ship surgeon, said it was a shame. Captain Good- 
rich said nothing but called away his gig. He was back in a little 
while and ordered Executive Officer Turner to muster the crew. 
When all hands were grouped in a dense mass on the deck, with clean 
or dirty and sooty faces, dingy, faded and greasy, or snow-white uni- 
forms, shod and unshod feet — for a general muster is imperative and 
does not permit frills — the Captain walked up. He stood for a 
moment in silence, and then he called for volunteers to go to the 
Vizcaya and give to the bodies Christian burial. ' I want to ask you to 
perform a disagreeable duty,' he said, 'and because it is disagreeable 
I will not order you to do it ; but because it is a duty I know you 
will volunteer. Those men died in battle bravely and they deserve 
better treatment than they have received. Will fourteen of you, Ro- 
man Catholics preferably, volunteer ? ' More than that number in- 
stantly stepped forward ; so many that only the first fourteen were 
chosen, and Lieutenant Royal Phelps Carroll offered his services, as 
a member of the Roman Catholic church, to take charge of the 
burial party. Boxes and canvas bags were then got up from the 
ship's hold, and shortly before 1 1 o'clock the party put off. * * * * 
It was disagreeable work, but they were white men who were doing 
white men's work, and about i o'clock parts of twenty bodies had 
been recovered and put in boxes, and weighed down with iron scraps, 
of which tliere was all too much. One body, identified by its clothes 



84 THE CHURCH AND HER SONS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. 

and buttons as that of an officer, was found in the conning tower, and 
was placed io a separate box. * * * * -j^j^g boxes were arranged on 
the starboard bow, abreast of the forward turret, and Lieutenant Car- 
roll committed them to the water. The memory of that act will not 
die out of the minds of the little party, as they stood with bared and 
bowed heads and followed Lieutenant Carroll through the short 
committal. The fierce sun beat down on the hot plates, and the 
high river crags a few hundred yards away seemed to quiver in the 
air. There was a softly uttered command : ' Heave overboard.' 
When the swift splashes arose there came from the ' Newark,' whose 
crew had all been called to 'attention,' the sound of ' taps,' bidding 
those dead Spanish soldiers and sailors 'go to sleep.' An incident 
like this does us all good. But it makes us prouder than ever of our 
glorious navy. American valor and American chivalry are unsur- 
passed." 

THE ARMY. 

Catholics in this war against Spain have made an equally good rec- 
ord in the army and in volunteering for this war. 

It is hardly necessary for me to state that it is impossible, so 
soon and before the war Is fully ended, to do more than state such 
facts as have come to my knowledge, as to the proportion of Catho- 
lics who have enlisted. 

In the first three regiments raised in Minnesota (known as the 
1 2th, 13th and 14th) the proportion of Catholic enlistments was 
fully one third of the whole ; and it was in recognition of this fact 
that our Governor appointed Rev. William Colbert chaplain of the 
14th Regiment. 

The First California Regiment, now at Manila, is almost wholly 
Catholic ; and in each of the other regiments from that state they are 
well represented. 

When New Jersey's 3,000 was mobilized at Sea Girt, it was found 
that 1,800 of them were Catholics. 

To secure data for this addenda, I wrote to Father Colbert at 
Camp Thomas, Chickamauga ; Father Sherman at Camp Alger, and 
Father Daly at Tampa. I have not had an answer from the last two 
named; presumably because both camps have been " on the move " 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 85 

most of the time since. But I have received a full and interestinor 
one from Father Colbert, as to the troops which were camped at 
Chlckamauga Park — Camp Thomas — when and since he arrived. 
He sends me a tabulated statement of forty-three regiments, hailing 
from twenty-four different states, in which he states that the actual 
number of communicants was 10,961, and estimating the Catholic 
soldiers who, from various causes, did not do so at 1,073 I making 
the total number of Catholics in tliose forty-three regiments 12,036. 
When it is remembered that those regiments were not full, it will be 
seen that the Catholic soldiers at Camp Thomas comprised fully one- 
third of the whole force there. 

There is no doubt but that the number of the Catholic volunteer 
soldiers in the other encampments will be proportionately as great as 
at Chickamauga. Such almost wholly Catholic regiments as the 
fighting 69th New York, and the 9th Massachusetts and 7th Illinois, 
were at other camps. 

As the members of the Catholic church in the United States are 
now estimated to be over one-seventh of our entire population, and 
as the proportion of Catholics in the army and navy in this war 
was between one-fourth and one-third thereof, it will be seen that our 
Catholic body furnished much more than its proportion, or than 
could be demanded of them on the basis of numbers. 

CATHOLIC THANKSGIVING. 

Among the many sermons preached at the divine service cele- 
brated in our Catholic churches, in response to the President's recent 
request to all denominations to offer up thanks to God for the vic- 
tories obtained by the army and navy of the United States, I need 
only quote the following from the sermon of that typical American, 
Archbishop Ireland, upon that occasion. In it he said : 

" Why has God given us victory and greatness ? It is not that we 
take pride in our power. It is not that we gather in for our pleas- 
ures the wealth of the world. It is that Almighty God has assigned 
to this republic the mission of putting before the world the 
ideal of popular liberty, the ideal of the high elevation of all 
humanity. * * * " 

"As Catholics in America, we have the right to sing the ' Te Denm' 



86 THE CHURCH AND HER SOXS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. 

for America's victories. We have the right to look with joy to the new 
era of America's greatness opening before her, for we are her chil- 
dren. We yield to none in loyalty to America. As this war pro- 
gresses, there is not a battle on land or sea, we thank God for it, in 
which Catholic sailors and soldiers do not bare their breasts to the 
enemy in defense of America. The records show that in proportion 
to their numbers in population in America, in a very large number 
of states at least. Catholics have given more than their number in 
soldiers in the defense of America. It is but their duty, as they are 
loyal citizens, and I praise them not for it. Yes, as Catholics, we 
have the right which comes from our citizenship, which comes from 
our loyalty, which comes from our deeds, to salute the American flag, 
to rejoice in her glory, and to wish her all the greatness and all the 
blessings in the future which the great God of nations holds in store 
for her." 

No more fervent and soul-inspiring words of rejoicing over those 
victories of our army and navy have been uttered than are the fol- 
lowing by Archbishop Gross of Oregon, in a pastoral letter which he 
addressed to the clergy and laity of his diocese after the peace pro- 
tocol was sisfned. In it he said : 

" The close of the war with Spain and the return of peace call 
forth deepest emotions. Our army and navy have covered then> 
selves with glory. Feats of valor by sea and land have elicited the 
admiration of the world. Admirable generalship, magnificent man- 
agement of the war vessels, the discipline of the soldiers, and un- 
rivaled gunnery aboard the huge war-ships have surprised friends 
and foes. Acquisition has been made of islands that will be of untold 
value to the interest of our republic. 

" But there are more solid gains by the war. There are shown to 
the world how deep, how self-sacrificing, how universal is the love 
and devotion of its citizens for this republic, founded so wisely by 
the peerless Washington. No sooner was our war declared by our 
illustrious President than two hundred thousand men sprang to arms 
— all volunteers — and more offered themselves than could be ac- 
cepted. Money was asked and over four times the amount requested 
was offered. * * * =i-- 



THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT WRITERS. 8/ 

" The tall monuments tell the heroic deeds of great men to future 
generations; and, mutely eloquent, teach the youth to imitate the 
virtuous actions of their forefathers. The achievements of a Wash- 
ington, a Schuyler, a Jackson will speak. The brilliant achieve- 
ments of the war just closed so successfully will speak with eloquence 
irresistible to unborn generations. European nations have been 
taught to estimate properly the strength of America's army and navy, 
and the still greater moral strength that deep patriotism has de- 
veloped in the hearts of its people. They must certainly conclude 
that to attack the United States is a very risky undertaking. 

" Amid all this, we rejoice that our country has shown itself a Chris- 
tian people — acknowledging God- — asking His help — and thanking- 
him as the arbiter of nations. Aboard ship, while guns still reeked 
from the just completed victory, officers called their willing crews — 
and the voice of prayer and thanksgiving arose from the brave vet- 
erans to tlie one true God. And our government gave the many in- 
fidel governments of Europe a lesson. After magnificent victories 
by sea and land, instead of ordering their celebration by balls, illumi- 
nations, or by a first-class bull-fight, our people were invited to close 
their places of business and to repair to their respective churches and 
adore and thank God, as the author of the splendid successes ; and 
the people did so." 

When we reflect that this war was one waged against a Catholic 
country and an avowedly Catholic government, surely our non- 
Catholic brethren will not allow prejudice to prevent them from ris- 
ing to a full appreciation of how grandly their Catliolic fellow-citizens 
have again given conclusive evidence that our country can always 
rely upon them, when strong and willing arms are needed for her de- 
fense. Our brave boys who fought with Dewey, and under Sampson 
and Schley, and at El Caney and Santiago and Porto Rico, as well 
as those who were waiting in line for orders to do likewise, say to 
their brethren of other beliefs : — " Our conduct in the army and nav • 
is our onlv answer to those unchristian and malienant bigots who 
have impugned our patriotism, or that of our leaders and directors in 
spiritual things." 




r?*t 




GEN. JA:^rES SHIELDS. 
A hero of two wars. 

GEN. HUGH J. KILPATRICK. 

A famous Union General and a 

convert to Catholicity. 

can-war, and was^n,.ai,,U.Ci.^^N^ar^^^ ANB BEPENT^EHS OF THE BEPUBLIC 



GKN THOMAS F. MEAGHER. 
The Hero of tlie Irisli Brigade. 

GEN. W. S. ROSECRANS. 

A Brother of Bishop Rosecrans. 

Both were converts. 



The Catholic Chaplain 

IN 

THE CIVIL WAR. 
From the Memoirs of Father Corby. 



The part taken by the Catholic chaplains and the Sisters of 
Charity in field and hospital and on long marches during the war 
between the North and the South, is a page of American history that 
has received but little attention from the historian. 

For the sketches in the following pages we are indebted to Father 
Corby's " Memoirs of Chaplain Life," which we have used freely by 
the kind permission of the author, and, so far as possible, have given 
the story in his own words. 

Among the many noble priests who served as chaplains during the 
Civil War, no one deserves more favorable mention than Very Rev. 
Wm. Corby, C. S. C, of Notre Dame University, Indiana. 

For three years chaplain of the Eighty-eighth New York, Irish 
Brigade, he brought consolation to the afflicted, ministered to the 
spiritually needy the rites of the Church, and extended a helping 
hand, not only to the sick, wounded and dying soldiers, but sent au- 
thentic accounts to the anxious and weeping relatives at home. 

Feailess, self-sacrificing and patriotic, he rendered valuable assist- 
ance bcith in the hospitals and on the battle field. 

89 



90 THE CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN IN THE CIVIL WAR. 

Father Corby resigned his professional duties in the University of 
Notre Dame, Ind., at the request of his superior, Very Rev. E. 
Sorin, now Superior General, in the fall of iS6t, went directly to 
Washington, D. C, and joined his brigade a short distance out from 
the city of Alexandria, Va. 

During the entire campaign of three years, starting from Camp 
California, near Alexandria, Va., in the spring of 1862, and ending at 
Petersburg, Va., Father Corby accompanied his brigade, night and 
day, in heat and cold, in sunshine and rain ; marching and counter- 
marching in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland, hundreds if not 
thousands of miles. These years of varied experiences render the 
following pages from his " Memoirs " of great interest. 



A SHORT SKETCH OF THE IRISH BRIGADE. 

The brigade known as the " Irish Brigade," composed largely of 
recruits from New York City, under the command of Gen. Thomas 
Francis Meagher, had the greatest number of Catholic chaplains. 
When President Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers, the call was 
responded to promptly. The general impression at the time was that 
the disturbance at the South would not last long, and the volunteers 
were enlisted for ninety days only. Under this call the Sixty-ninth 
New York Infantry, a militia regiment which so distinguished itself 
at the first battle of Bull Run, in July, 1861, offered its services, 
which were accepted, and the regiment, accompanied by Capt. (after- 
Brig.-Gen.) T. F. Meagher and his Zouaves, all under the command 
«f Col. Michael Corcoran, "went to the front." At this first Bull 
Run battle, the Sixty-ninth New York fought desperately ; but the 



THE CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN IN THE CIVIL WAR. or 

gallant Col. Corcoran was captured with several of his command, and 
was carried off to Richmond, where he was kept prisoner for thirteen 
months. Rev. Thomas F. Mooney, of New York, went out as the 
chaplain of the Sixty-ninth, but was obliged, in a short time, to re- 
turn home to attend to very important duties assigned him by his 
ordinary. Most Rev. Archbishop Hughes.* The soldiers, at the 
President's call, had enlisted for ninety days only ; and before the 
memorable battle of the first Bull Run, which took place July 21, 
1861, the term having expired in the case of several regiments, on the 
20th, many militia regiments from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Penn- 
j sylvania, and one from New York, besides a battery, returned home. 
j The Sixty-ninth agreed to continue. They did so, and " fought like 
\ Turks." After this battle was over, the Sixty-ninth was disbanded 
I in New York, the time having expired sometime before. Here we 
' start. We leave Col. Corcoran a prisoner in Richmond, and the old 
I Si.xty-ninth, with Meagher's Zouaves, mustered out of the service, 
; with honor to both officers and men. 

Thomas Francis Meagher, who distinguished himself at Bull Run, 
I set about recruiting not a sinijle retjiment, but a bris:ade. In a short 
i time, with the help of other efficient persons, he organized three 
Irish regiments. The old Sixty-ninth re-enlisted, and was joined by 
the Eighty-eighth and Sixty-third New York regiments. Each of 
these enlisted for " three years, or during the war." To this brigade 
of three New York regiments were subsequently added the Twenty- 
eighth Massachusetts Infantry, the Sixty-ninth and One Hundred 
and Sixteenth Pennsylvania Infantry, and Hogan's and McMahon's 

* Rev. Bernard O'Riley, S. J., repjaced Father Mooney for a few weeks, until the Bull Run battle 

terminated that campaign. 



92 THE CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN IN THE CIVIL WAR. 

batteries. The brigade in question was ever after known as the 
Irish Brigade, and was commanded by Gen. Thomas Francis 
Meagher. 

It was the intention of those who organized the Irish Brig^ade to 
place Gen. James Shields in command; but the Government de- 
signed a larger field of usefulness for that old veteran. Col. Michael 
Corcoran, who led so well the Sixty-ninth at Bull Run, still languished 
in a Southern prison, and so it came about that Thomas Francis 
Meaorher assumed command. 

MY RECOLLECTIONS OF GEN. THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHER. 

Here let me say a word about Gen. Thomas Francis Meagher, 
whose character is, I think, not well understood by many. Gen. 
Meagher was more than an ordinary gentleman. He possessed high- 
toned sentiments and manners, and the bearing of a prince. He 
had a superior intellect, a liberal education, was a fine classical writer, 
and a born orator. He was very witty, but more inclined to humor; 
was fond of witty or humorous persons, and admired those who pos- 
sessed such gifts. He was a great lover of his native land, and pas- 
sionately opposed to its enemies; strong in his faith, which he never 
concealed, but, on the contrary, published it above-board^ and wher- 
ever he went he made himself known as a " Catholic and an Irish- 
man." He was well instructed in his religion, and I should have 
pitied the one who had the temerity to speak disparagingly of it in 
his presence. His appearance was very much in his favor, being one 
of the finest-looking officers in the whole army ; and, mounted on a 
magnificent horse, surrounded by a " brilliant staff" of young officers, 
he was a fit representative of any nation on earth. It is not surpris- 



THE CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN IN THE CIVIL WAR. 93 

ing, then, that a man of his intellect and noble personal character 
drew around him, not a low, uneducated class, but rather refined and 
gentlemanly officers and men, recruited mostly from New York ; 
while many came from Boston, Philadelphia, Jersey, and even from 
Europe, to join his standard. 

During the battle of Antietam Gen. Meagher was badly crushed, 
and Lieut. James Macky of his staff was killed at his side. 

Chancellorsville was the last battle in which Gen. Meacrher com- 
manded the Irish Brigade. He resigned shortly after the fight, was 
re-commissioned again and transferred to the West ; but the fight- 
ing qualities of the organization remained, even when the general 
had gone ; it never missed a battle, and was present until the end. 

Gen. Meagher's departure was greatly regretted. A most bril- 
liant leader he was, who seemed at his best in the midst of a combat. 

At Gettysburg the brigade was led by a new commander, the 
amiable, noble Patrick Kell)', colonel Eighty-eighth New York, who, 
like Elias of old, was destined to ascend to heaven in a chariot of fire. 

The brilliant Meagher was orone, but his mantle had fallen on one 
who was well worthy to wear it. 

ABSOLUTION UNDER nRE. 

Here I will quote the account of Maj.-Gen. St. Clair Mulholland, 
then a colonel in the Irish Brioade, a Christian gentleman and as 
brave a soldier as any in the Army of the Potomac, to which his 
wounds and his army record will testify : 

" Before advancing upon the enemy, on the afternoon of July 2, a 
religious ceremony was performed that, in the sublime magnificence 
and grandeur of its surroundings, was never equalled on this con- 



94 



THE CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN IN THE CIVIL WAR. 



tinent. As the men stood ready to move, their chaplain, Father! 
WilHam Corby, proposed to give them general absolution before 
ffoincj into the fight. Standing in front of the brigade, which was! 
drawn up in a column of regiments, he made a fervent and passionatel 
appeal to the men to remember in the hour of battle the great Cap-I 
tain of all, Jesus Christ, and to have contrition for their sins, that! 
they might be prepared to die for the cause for which they fought. 

" Every man fell upon his knees, the flags were dropped, and| 
Father Corby, looking up to heaven, called down the blessing of thel 
Almighty upon the men. Stretching out his right hand (as the lipsj 
of the soldiers moved in silent prayer) he pronounced the words o£i 
absolution : 

" ' Dominus noster Jesus Christus vos absolvat, et ego auctoritate\ 
ipsius, vos absolve ah oinni vinculo cxcommnnicatio7iis et inter dicti, in\ 
quanttan possiim ct vos indigctis, dcinde, ego absolvo vos a peccatisX 
vest 7' is in 7t077iine Patris, et Filii, et Spi7'it!is Sa7icti, A77ie7t T 

"The scene was more than impressive; it was awe-inspiring, |, 
Near by stood a brilliant throng of officers who had gathered to wit-| 
ness this very unusual occurrence, and while there was profound! 
silence in the ranks of the Second Corps, yet over to the left, out by 
the peach orchard and Little Round Top, where Weed and Vincent 
and Hazlitt were dying, the roar of the battle rose and swelled and 
re-echoed through the woods, making music more sublime than ever 
sounded through cathedral aisle. The act seemed to be in harmony 
with the surroundings. I do not think there was a man in the brieade 
who did not ofTer up a heart-felt prayer. For some, it was their 
last; they knelt there in their grave clothes. In less than half an 
hour many of them were numbered with the dead of July 2. WhO' 



THE CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN IN THE CIVIL WAR. 95 

in doubt that their prayers were good ? What was wanting in the 
loquence of the priest to move them to repentance was supplied in 
le incidents of the fight. That heart would be incorrigible, indeed, 
lat the scream of a Whitworth bolt, added to Father Corby's touch- 
ig appeal, would not move to contrition." 
The Irish Brigade received the title 

"HEADQUARTERS OF THE CHURCH IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC"; 

numbered over 9,000 Catholic soldiers, not to mention odd num- 
ers in every regiment in the army. A full page of history, in all 
istice, should be given to such a respectable body of Christian sel- 
lers — unique in character, unique in faith, unique in nationality; 
ut ever brave and true in support of their adopted country. 

Of the men who, at different times, had led the command, three 
■ere killed in battle — Smyth, Kelly, and Byrnes ; and Meagher — 
le brilliant citizen and gallant soldier — found a grave in the turbu- 
;nt waters of the upper Missouri. 

Few of those brave souls who, under the Green Flag of their own 
ative land, fought so well to defend the Stars and Stripes of the 
ind of their adoption, are now with us. Those who lived through 
le storm of the battles are rapidly passing to the other side, to join 
le heroes who fell in the fight. The few survivors assembled at 
iettysburg a year or two ago, there to erect and dedicate to their 
lemory, monuments in granite and bronze, and stand once more on 
rie spot that had been crimsoned by their blood ; and like Melchise- 
ech, on Bilboa's field, to pray for their comrades slain, that the God 
f Moses and Joshua, He who loves the brave and good, may grant 
weet rest to the souls of those who died in defense of their adopted 
ountry. 



96 THE CATHOLIC CHAPLAIX IX THE CIVIL WAR. 

The six regiments composing the Irish Brigade had five Catholic 
priests as chaplains. Rev. James Dillon, C. S. C, chaplain of the 
Sixty-third; Rev. Thomas Ouellet, S. J., chaplain of the new Sixty- 
ninth, and the writer, chaplain of the Eighty-eighth. Rev. Father 
iVicKee, chaplain of the One Hundred and Sixteenth Pennsylvania, 
soon fell sick and resigned ; he was replaced by Rev. Father McCul- 
lum. The latter, unable to endure the hardships of campaign life, 
also resigned, leaving the brigade with three Catholic chaplains, 
namely, Dillon, Ouellet, and Corby. Besides these, there were other 
Catholic chaplains in the Army of the Potomac. Paul E. Gillen, C. 
S. C; Father O'Hagan, S. J.; Father Martin, of Philadelphia; 
Father C. L. Egan, O. P.; Father Thomas Scully, of Massachusetts, 
and Rev. Doctor Kilroy. 

EIGHT CHAPLAINS— TEMPERANCE WORK AMONG THE SOLDIERS. 

In view of this, Notre Dame sent out seven priests as chaplains, 
and, counting the Rev. Dr. Kilroy, who is also a child of Notre 
Dame, there were eight priests of the Community of the Holy Cross 
rendering spiritual aid to the poor soldier in the field and in the 
hospitals. These were the Revs. J. M. Dillon, C. S. C. ; P. P. 
Cooney, C. S. C. ; Dr. E. B. Kilroy, C. S. C. ; J. C. Carrier, C. S. 
C. ; Paul E. Gillen, C. S. C. ; Joseph Leveque, C. S. C, and the 
writer, W. Corby, C. S. C. Many of the above went to an early 
grave ; but while they were able they braved the dangers of the 
battlefield and the pestilence of the hospitals. 

The Rev. John Ireland, now the illustrious Archbishop of St. 
Paul, Minn., gave a bountiful share of his time and talent to the 
good work — the chaplaincy. A year of his time and brilliant talent 



THE CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN IN THE CIVIL WAR. 97 

was more than six years as compared with that of ordinary men. 
His great abiHty was exercised with the enthusiasm that has distin- 
guished his whole career. His name was and is a power. The Rev. 
Lawrence S. McMahon, afterward the distinguished Bishop of Hart- 
ford, Conn., also performed a generous share of chaplain labor. 

ARCHBISHOP IRELAND AS CHAPLAIN IN 1862. 

In relating an interview had with the Archbishop in 1897, Mr. 
Frank G. Carpenter writes as follows : 

"The Archbishop was born in Ireland, but he bought the right to 
his American citizenship by fighting for the Union during the late 
war. In 1861 he was a young priest in Minnesota, having just fin- 
ished his education in the theological seminaries of Europe. After 
the battle of Bull Run he offered his services as chaplain and was 
attached to the Fifth Minnesota regiment. The most of the mem- 
bers of this regiment were Catholics, and young Father Ireland was 
the most popular man of the corps. He preached to the boj's be- 
fore and after the battle, and it has been said that the men would 
drop their cards and leave their games at any time to hear one of 
his sermons. He was not, however, contented with preaching. 
At times he went into battle and fouQ-ht with the men. This Was 
the case at Corinth. The late John Arkins, editor of the Rocky 
Mo nil fain A^civs, who was in the fight, once told the story : ' It was 
in the midst of this battle. The famous Texas brigade had made 
their desperate charge. The Confederates had succeeded in pene- 
trating the Union lines. They had captured some of the batteries 
and were pouring into the streets of Corinth. The gap in the lines 
was widening-. More soldiers were rushinsf through. It looked as 



98 THE CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN IN THE CIVIL WAR. 

though the Confederates would soon attack Rosecrans' army in the 
rear, when the Fifth Minnesota regiment was ordered to the rescue 
to close the gap. They attempted to do so. They threw them- 
selves like a whirlwind upon the enemj'. With shot and bayonet 
they rushed upon the advancing mass, pressing it back inch by inch 
until at last they retook the batteries which had been lost and al- 
most succeeded in re-establishing the line at the point where it had 
been broken. Just at this time, when the enemy were still crowding 
and fighting for the gap, the cry went out from the Union soldiers 
for more ammunition. Many of our boys had used up their forty 
rounds and were replenishing their cartridge-boxes from those of 
their dead comrades. It was then that, walking amid the shot and 
shell, came a smooth-shaven, tall, angular young man in the dress 
of a chaplain. Upon his shoulder he carried a heavy box, and as he 
walked along just back of the soldiers he yelled out from time to 
time : 

" ' " Here are cartridges for you, boys. Here are more cartridges 
for you ! " 

" ' And so he went along the line, the soldiers reaching back and 
grabbing the cartridges by the handfuls and then turning again with 
new ammunition upon the struggling enemy. And so through all 
that fight this smooth-shaven chaplain moved back and forth carry- 
ing ammunition to the men to whom he had preached only a few 
nights before. He kept it up until at last, when the evening shades 
began to fall, the battle closed with a victory for the Union forces. 
Then it was discovered that the brave chaplain was missing. Father 
Ireland, for it was he who carried the cartridges to the men, could 
nowhere be found. The greatest concern prevailed and almost all 



THE CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN IN THE CIVIL WAR. 99 

thought that his bravery had cost him his Hfe. There was an anxious 
search among the wounded, when in an improvised hospital on the 
outer edge of Corinth the young priest was found unhurt, but still 
at work speaking words of comfort to the wounded and the dying.' " 

FATHER DILLON'S TEMPERANCE WORK AMONG THE SOLDIERS. 

To prepare for the realities of war, the Sixty-third, N. Y. V., was 
encamped on David's Island, in the East River, Long Island Sound, 
in November, 1861, R. C. Enright was colonel of the regiment, and 
the Rev. James M. Dillon, C. S. C, was the chaplain. 

A talk of organizing a Temperance Society in the regiment was 
rife for several days, and assumed formal shape on Sunday, Novem- 
ber 17. The Holy Sacrifice was offered, as usual, that morning in 
the dining hall, where probably 700 officers and men were present. 
(The regiment was composed almost entirely of Roman Catholics.) 

Chaplain Dillon, at the close of the service, took as his text the 
subject of " Temperance." He went on, in his usual eloquent style, 
depicting the evils of intemperance. 

There was a rush for the front, and the aid of several secretaries 
was required to take the names of those who desired to sign the 
pledge. 

On November 21 (a feast of the Blessed Virgin), after Mass, the 
chaplain spoke again on the subject of "Temperance," after which 
the following officers were elected for the Temperance society : 
President, the Rev. J. M. Dillon ; Vice-President, Dr. Michael G. 
Gilligan ; Recording Secretary and Treasurer, Lieut. Patrick Gor- 
merly ; Corresponding Secretary, Capt. Michael O'Sullivan. 

The efTects of the " Temperance Societ)' " were soon apparent 



lOO THE CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN IN THE CIVIL WAR. 

and there was witnessed a decided diminution in camp carousals. 
So elated was Father Dillon that he decided to have a medal struck 
to commemorate the event. A design was prepared and placed in 
the hands of an engraver in New York City, and several hundred 
were cast. They had an appropriate inscription on each side, and 
in size resembled a silver dollar. Even at this day, thirty years after 
the incident above alluded to, " Father Dillon's Temperance Med- 
als " are frequently met with in the hands of the remnant of the 
Sixty-third or their descendants. 

Father Dillon was a young man in the prime of manhood at this 
time — about twenty-eight years old. He was impulsive and ardent 
and threw his whole soul into his work. He was mustered into the 
service October 30, 1861, and was discharged for disability (sick- 
ness), October iS, 1S62. He contracted in the army the disease that 
carried him to an early grave in 1868. 

THE WORK OF FATHER OUELLET AS CHAPLAIT-J. 

General Dennis Burk in the New York Tablet speaks thus of the 
labors of Father Ouellet : 

The Rev. Thomas Ouellet, S. J., though not of our race, having 
been born in Lower Canada, of French parents, was one of the most 
zealous priests in the army. When the war commenced, Father 
Ouellet was attached to St. John's College, at Fordham, and, hear- 
ing that a Catholic regiment required a chaplain, offered his services 
to Archbishop Hughes, the Nestor of the Catholic Church of Amer- 
ica, who assigned Father Ouellet to the Irish Brigade. 

Father Ouellet was in build small of stature and lithe of frame, 
but immense in enero-v. He loved his sacred calling, and never 
neo-lected its important duties. During Gen. McClellan's famous 



THE CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN IN THE CIVIL WAR. lOI 

seven days' retreat before Richmond, he was always to the front on 
every occasion ministering to the wounded, and always predicting, to 
those who happened to be faint-hearted, the certainty of final success. 
Father Ouellet was loved by all the Irish Brigade, and respected by 
every member of the Second Army Corps, from the gallant com- 
mander, W. S. Hancock, to the humblest private. The love which 
the " boys " had for Father Ouellet could be equalled only by his zeal 
for their salvation. Father Ouellet resigned April 25, 1862, and re-en- 
listed as chaplain Feb. 15, 1864. He was beloved by all who knew him. 

REV. PAUL E. GILLEN, C. S. C, AS CHAPLAIN. 

The Reverend Paul E. Gillen, one of the Fathers of Holy Cross, 
left Notre Dame in the early part of the war of '61-5 to accomplish 
what good he could among the soldiers in the Army of the Potomac. 
In the beginning he accepted no commission and wanted none. A 
commission, in his opinion, would be an impediment rather than a 
help to his work, wishing to be free to pass from one portion of the 
army to another. He had a singular faculty for finding the Catholic 
soldiers, and among them he did a remarkable amount of good. 

His work in the army consisted in going from regiment to regi- 
ment, and wherever he found a few dozen Catholics, there he 
" pitched his tent," staid a day or two, heard all their confessions, 
celebrated holy Mass, and communicated those ready to receive. 
Then "striking his tent" he pushed on to another regiment. 
Wherever he went he was beloved and respected by Catholics and 
non-Catholics. He could do double the work, and endured twice as 
much hardship as ourselves — much younger men and much more 
pretentious. Father Gillen, C. S. C, lived and labored many years 



I02 THE CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN IN THE CIVIL WAR, 

after the war, and finally died, at an advanced age, on October 20, 
1882. He is buried within gunshot of where I write these lines, 
under the shadow of the cross, his banner in the army of Jesus 
Christ, carried fearlessly and zealously in the desperate struggle 
against sin and Satan, 

FATHER EGAN AS CHAPLAIN. 

The Rev. Constantine L. Egan, O. P., entered the service as 
chaplain of the Ninth Massachusetts in September, 1863, and was 
mustered out July 15, 1865. He would have enlisted earlier had he 
realized the great want in the army of Catholic chaplains. 

He relates the following pathetic incident : 

A MILITARY EXECUTION. 

I was asked by the Secretary of War to go to Gen. Newton's corps, 
which was camped near Culpepper Court House, Va., to minister to 
a deserter sentenced by court-martial to be shot. I started the next 
morning, and reached Gen. Newton's headquarters about ten o'clock 
that night. The general told me I had better see the prisoner soon, 
as he would certainly be shot the next morning. I started at once 
to where the prisoner was confined, heard his confession, and staid 
the remainder of that night at Gen. Robinson's headquarters. Next 
morning I said Mass for the prisoner in the provost-marshal's tent, 
administering to the poor condemned man Holy Communion. After- 
ward, I was invited by the provost-marshal to partake of a cup of 
coffee and some hard-tack — such as he had for breakfast himself. 
After breakfast, the provost-marshal commenced loading the twelve 
rifles for the shooting party, one of the rifles being loaded with a 



THE CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN IN THE CIVIL WAR. IO3 

blank cartridge only — the other eleven were loaded with bullets. 
After a while, an ambulance was in readiness, accompanied by a 
squad of soldiers to guard the prisoner to the place of execution. 
The prisoner was placed in the ambulance, and I took my place by 
his side. During the sad journey, of about two miles, we were oc- 
cupied saying the rosary and litanies, the poor prisoner praying with 
much fervor during the short time he had to live. 

Arriving at the place of execution, we saw a coffin ready and a 
grave prepared for the reception of the poor soldier's remains, and 
the whole of the First Army Corps drawn up in a position to witness 
the prisoner's death. We got a few minutes to pray, and before the 
white bandage was placed over his eyes, the prisoner stood up, and 
in a steady voice said : " I ask pardon of all whom I have offended ; I 
forgive every one who has offended or injured me ; boys, pray for me." 

The officer then read the death warrant, and placing the white 
bandage over the prisoner's eyes, gave the order to the firing party : 
" Make ready ! Aim! Fire!" The poor soldier fell on his coffin, 
and death was almost instantaneous. 

FATHER CORBY'S DESCRIPTION OF A MILITARY MASS. 

On or about the 4th day of September, 1S64, Gen. Meagher, who 
was on a visit with Gen. Hancock at the time, prior to his de- 
parture for the department of Gen. Sherman, to whom he had been 
assigned for duty, proposed an anniversary celebration for the bri- 
gade. The brigade was now three years old. As usual, he wished 
to have the anniversary commemorated in a religious manner. He 
therefore, asked me, if I would be so kind as to arrange a Solemn 
High Mass for the occasion. I was only too glad to do him this 



I04 THE CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN IN THE CIVIL WAR. 

favor. Invitations were sent out to various other commanders 
to join us in the celebration. These invitations were accepted by 
quite a number of other commands, and by the following generals, 
namely : Hancock, Miles, Berney, Gibbons, Mott, De Trobriand, 
and, of course, Meagher himself would be expected. 

Details of men with willing hands were directed in clearing up, 
beautifying the grounds, planting pine and cedar trees, and making 
the entire camp like fairy-grounds. A beautiful chapel tent was 
erected, and a grand avenue lined with everereens led to the front 
entrance of the grounds and to the chapel, which was on a slight 
eminence. Seats were provided for the invited guests as far as pos- 
sible. About nine o'clock the bugles were sounded, and the whole 
brigade, at this signal, began to make preparations to receive their 
guests. With military precision every man reported, and in a short 
time one could see the ranks formed in perfect order. 

Precisely at ten o'clock, the hour fixed for service, the guests began 
to arrive. The generals were seated first, and, as each company, 
battalion, or regiment of invited troops arrived, place was allotted 
them, the members of the brigade "doing the honors." 

The Rev. Thomas Ouellet, S. J., Paul E. Gillen, C. S. C, and the 
writer, appeared before a simple altar, dressed in modest taste, at the 
very moment ten o'clock was sounded by the bugle. By this time 
we had become experienced in such celebrations, and it is with some 
laudable pride that we refer to them now. Gen. Meagher, being 
well versed in the ceremonies of the Mass, acted as Master of Cere- 
monies, in as far as the music and the military duties were con- 
cerned. As soon as the priests are ready, the Asperges me is 
announced, and, instead of a grand choir, such as is heard in the 



J 



THE CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN IN THE CIVIL WAR. I05 

royal cathedrals of Christendom, the bugles, followed by the report 
of numerous guns, announced the beginning. Then, under the 
direction of Gen. Meagher, at the Iiitroibo various military bands 
discourse solemn music until after the Credo, when, again, by a sign 
from the Master of Ceremonies to the Officer of the Day, another 
discharge, a grand salute of guns, testify to Credo in uhhjii Deuni — 
I believe in one God. The bugle follows with its well-known notes, 
" tara-taran-tara," and again the bands play. Now their music is 
soft, low, and sweet, suitable to the devotion that immediately dis- 
poses the faithful for the more sacred portion of the Mass. The 
Sanctus ! sanctiis ! sanetus / rouses all to a fixed attention and is 
accompanied by a sudden rattle of dozens of kettle-drums, with an 
occasional thundering sound from the bass drums. Shortly after 
this comes that moment of moments in the ofTering of the sublime 
mysteries. The preparatory is over, and now you see men bow down 
in deep devotion as the priest leans over the altar and takes up the 
Host. Here, at a sign from the Master of Ceremonies, the bugle 
notes, "tara-taran-tara," ring out over the tented fields, and the same 
grand evidence of respect and faith is given by the sound of cannon 
and the roll of musketry, as the sublime words, full of power and 
purpose — the supreme words of Consecration — are pronounced. Soft 
music is again in order at intervals, until the end, which is proclaimed 
in turn by guns, drums, and bugles that prolong a grand. Jina/e. 

Thus we see how God is served, even in camp. We behold the 
highest honors paid to Him by the solemn offering of the Holy 
Sacrifice, infinitely holier than that offered in the Temple of Solo- 
mon, amid the splendor of glittering gold and the flashing light of 
precious stones. No military equipage is too fine, no military honors 



Io6 THE CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN IN THE CIVIL WAR. 

too great, no music too sweet or too sublime, no respect too pro- 
found, in honor of the great God in the transcendent Mystery of His 
love and mercy — a Mystery offered on Mount Calvary, when Nature 
herself spoke in greatest reverence and covered her face in darkness 
to hide it from the too great majesty of the Divine Being. 

NURSED BY THE SISTERS. 
Sixty Sisters of the Order of the Holy Cross went out under the 
intelligent Mother Mary Angela as superioress, (Mother Angela was 
a cousin of the Hon. James G. Blaine). These Sisters volunteered 
their services to nurse the sick and wounded soldiers, hundreds of 
whom, moved to sentiments of purest piety by the words and exam- 
ple of their angel nurses, begged to be baptised i)i articulo moj-tis — 
at the point of death. The labors and self-sacrifices of the Sisters 
during the war need no praise here. Their praise is on the lips of 
every surviving soldier who experienced their kind and, careful min- 
istration. Many a soldier now looks down from on high with com- 
placency on the worthy Sisters who were instrumental in saving the 
soul when life could not be saved. Nor was it alone from the Order 
of the Sisters of the Holy Cross that Sister-nurses engaged in the 
care of the sick and wounded soldiers. Many other orders made 
costly sacrifices to save life and to save souls, notably the noble Or- 
der of the Sisters of Charit)'. To members of this order I am 
personally indebted. When prostrate with camp-fever, insensible 
for nearly three days, my life was intrusted to their care. Like 
guardian angels these daughters of St. Vincent watched every symp- 
tom of the fever, and by their skill and care I was soon able to return 
to my post of duty. God bless these good nurses ! Many lives 
v.'f^re saved by their skilful care. 




1 iii!***. 




BEAKLNG THE CROSS TO THE NEW W'OBLD. 
The Landing of Columbus with the First Minister ot the Christian ReUgion in America. 



A True and Impartial History 

* * OF m # 
THE UNITED STATES. 

By John Gilmary 5hea, LL. D. 



INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 

The spirit of Discovery awakened in Europe — The great advantage of the Crusades to Trade — 
Missionaries and Merchants — What was known of the Atlantic Ocean — The wonderful 
Island of St. Brendan— Iceland and Greenland — Discoveriert on the Coast of Africa — The 
Madeira Islands — Italy the School of Geography. 

At the beginning of the Christian era, the Roman Empire extended 
over all Southern and Western Europe as far as Britain, over North- 
ern Africa, and the Levant. There was regular intercourse through 
all the vast empire, and there was trade with countries lying beyond. 
After the Roman Empire fell, barbarians overran many parts of 
Europe, and the Mohammedans gained Africa and the East. When 
new countries were formed, there was little trade, and people had 
only scanty knowledge of distant parts, even in Europe. The only 
people who traveled far, were pilgrims who used to go to the Holy 
Land. The ill-treatment given to the pilgrims by the Mohammedans 
led to the wars known as the Crusades, in which most of the Chris- 
tian kingdoms of the West united to recover Palestine from the hands 
I of the Saracens. The expeditions sent out failed to wrest it from 
them, but they made the East known to the marines and merchants, 

'. who began to trade with those distant countries. 

I 

One great and good result came forth from the Crusades, although 

) they failed in their main object. People learned more of the East, of 



I08 THE SPIRIT OF TRAVEL AWAKENED. 

its science, its fabrics, its plants, its riches of every kind. A spirit of 
travel was awakened. Missionaries set out to announce the gospel 
to distant lands ; merchants hastened to open new avenues of trade. 
All Europe was astir. The accounts brought back by Carpirii and 
Rubruquis, who penetrated into Tartary, opened a new world. Then 
Marco Polo, the greatest of early travellers, pushed on till he reached 
Cathay, or China, and astonished men with his accounts of the 
strange people of that land. Catalani next described the wonders of 
Asia, and Mandeville gave a book of travels in which he introduced 
the most extraordinary stories. Then commerce reawakened from, 
its long sleep, and trade between the various Christian States, and 
between them and distant lands, was extended with remarkable 
rapidity. In the commercial operations which sprang up, Genoa and 
Venice took the lead : their ships were not confined to the Mediter- 
ranean, but sought the shores of the Atlantic. The sciences of 
Geography and Navigation became in Italy favorite studies, and were 
cultivated to an extent not common in other parts of Europe, with 
rare exceptions. 

But most of the Kings of those times were too much taken up with 
wars and pleasures to give any attention to such severe studies, or 
encourage them as they should. Italy, where there were free Repub- 
lics, full of commercial activity, and then the religious centre of Chris- 
tendom, had the most learned geographers and navigators, as well as 
the most skillful naval commanders. 

Other nations, therefore, for several centuries, looked as a matter of 
course to Italy for the latest improvements in all that regarded naviga- 
tion and the sea. Kings even hired ships from these Italian Repub- 
lics to aid them in their wars. This will explain to uswhy so many 



THE VOYAGE OF ST. BRENDAN. IO9 

Italian navigators took part in the early discoveries of America — Co- 
lumbus, Cabot, Vespucius, Verrazzani. 

But the explorers did not all go by the way of the Mediterranean. 
The people on the shores of the Atlantic had from the earliest times 
made voyages that seem incredible when we know the wretched kind 
of vessels in which they sailed. The earliest known vessels of the 
British Isles were coracles, and our readers would hardly think of ven- 
turing out to sea in them now. They were simply a strong basket of 
wicker-work, covered with a hide drawn tightly over it while still soft. 

In these flimsy boats the natives of the British Isles ventured out to 
sea, crossed over to the mainland of Europe, and even carried on war- 
like and piratical expeditions. 

As the West was converted to Christianity, zealous missionaries set 
out in these coracles to carry the truth to parts which were yet Pagan. 
The most famous of all these early voyages i.s that of St. Brendan, 
Abbot of Clonfert, who died in 577, in the western part of Ireland. 
This brave and adventurous missionary sailed with a party of compan- 
ions, born and bred like himself on that wild coast, out into the Atlan- 
tic, in vessels of wicker and ox hides, and evidently reached Iceland. 
His authentic narrative was soon lost sight of, but the minstrels and 
story-tellers made his voyage the most popular narrative of the Middle 
Ages. According to the story in this form, of which there are many 
versions in different languages, he met floating islands made of crystal, 
with churches, houses, and palaces, and all the furniture in them of the 
same sparkling material. He mistook a large sleeping fish for an 
island, and his party, landing on it unawares, was nearly engulfed. He 
finally came to an island, where there was a mountain ot fire, evidently 
the mouth of hell, and where devils, by hurling fiery stones at them, 



I lO THE DISCOVERY OF ICELAND. 

drove them from the shores. Interwoven with all this are meetings 
with hermits and wonderful personages. It is easy to see the icebergs 
in this, and understand how the story grew ; the whale is easily recog- 
nized ; and in the volcanic island we see Iceland with its Mount 
Hecla. The natives flocking to the shore to oppose the new comers 
were naturally supposed to be hurling stones which came from the 
volcano. 

When Iceland was subsequently discovered and colonized, and thus 
took its place in geography, no one thought of identifying it with St. 
Brendan's Island; but out of his story grew two islands, the island of 
Demons, which in most early maps figures on the northwest coast of 
America from Labrador to Greenland : and a second St. Brendan's Isle 
which was supposed to be off the Canaries. This island, the story grew, 
used to appearand then vanish, and the traditions of Spain and other 
countries made it the residence of some great personage in their his- 
tory, whom the people believed to be living in a sort of retirement, 
to reappear one clay in this world and save his country. 

A volume would scarcely contain all that has been written about 
St. Brendan's voyage and his wonderful island. 

But the existence of St. Brendan's Island west of the Canaries was 
long so firmly believed, that expeditions were frequently sent out to 
reach it. They returned unsuccessful, or perished and were no more 
heard of. Articles from the shores of America driven on the Azores 
and Canaries were all naturally supposed to come from St. Brendan's 
Island, and kept up the common faith in its existence. All this 
made men familiar with the thought of voyages out into the unex- 
plored waters. 

Under the leadership of Ingulph they colonized Iceland in the ninth 



CLERGY SENT TU GREENLAND. Ill 

century, and that remote island became before long a centre of learning 
and religion in the north. Soon after, Eric the Red discovered and 
colonized Greenland in the tenth century. At this time these North- 
men were all pagans, fierce and cruel. Leif, the son of Eric, however, 
returning to Norway became a Christian, and in the year looo brought 
out clergy who converted the pagan settlers in Greenland. 

As we now know that land, we can scarcely conceive how a colony 
could have been planted and grown up on that desolate shore. But it 
is evident that it was then washed by the Gulf Stream, and enjoyed a 
comparatively mild climate. 

The settlement of the Northmen in Greenland subsisted down to the 
middle of the fifteenth century, and there is extant a bull of Pope Nicho- 
las as late as 1450, recommending the piety of the Bishop of Garda, who 
had erected a fine church at that place in Greenland ; and the ruins of 
this church have, it is thought, been recently discovered. 

But if these hardy Northmen had passed beyond St. Brendan's they 
too had their strange lands further on. One was White Man's Land or 
Greater Ireland ; the other was a country called Vinland, or Land of 
Vines, to which some of their people actually went. 

From the vague account given in one of the Icelandic sagas or 
poems as to Vinland, many attempts have been made to decide exactly 
where it was : Nearly two hundred years ago, a very learned little 
book called "A History of Ancient Vinland," was published at 
Copenhagen, and within a year or two an American scholar has been 
endeavoring to explain it all, but there are not many who put much 
faith in the matter, and those who believe that the Old Mill at New- 
port is a Scandinavian ruin, erected by the early Northmen, are very 
few indeed. 



I I 2 FRENCH VESSELS REACH GUINEA. 

The people of the North were thus actually colonizing the New 
World ; but while the declining settlement in Greenland was struggling 
for existence against the Esquimaux or Skroelings, who had become 
very hostile, and finally destroyed it utterly, the people of Southern 
Europe seem not to have made any attempts in this direction. Some, 
however, think that the hardy Bretons of France, and the Basques, 
a maritime people, living in France and Spain on the shores of the Bay 
of Biscay, reached Newfoundland at an early day and there began to 
take codfish ; but they were not learned navigators ; they wrote no 
books and drew no maps. 

The great mariners of southern Europe were, however, pushing dis- 
coveries in another direction. As the Crusades had failed, Asia Minor 
and Egypt remained in the hands of the Mohammedans, who viewed all 
Christians passing through their land with jealousy. If the Christian 
ships could sail around Africa and so reach the rich lands of India and 
Cathay, they might carry on a profitable trade, with which the Saracens 
and Turks could not interfere. The Carthaginians were said to have 
done it. So the minds of men began to turn in that direction. 

About the middle of the fourteenth century French vessels began 
to trade down the coast of Africa, and actually reached Guinea. Gen- 
oese and Catalans discovered the Canaries, and the island of Madeira 
was next added to the list of discoveries. 

As to the discovery of Madeira, so called from a Portuguese word 
meaning "wood," the island having been found covered with beauti- 
ful trees, a very romantic story is told. 

In the reign of Edward III., Anna d'Arfet, a noble young English 
lady, fell in love with a poor young man named Robert Macham. As I 
her family were endeavoring to force her to a marriage with a wealthy ' 



A ROMANTIC STOKV. II3 

, suitor whom she loathed, they resolved to fly to France. To facilitate 
their plans, a friend of Robert entered the service of Anna's guardians 
as a groom, and was thus able to attend her on her daily rides near the 

I seashore, and arrange the plans of the lovers. Robert found a vessel 
suited for their purpose, and when it was ready, she rode down to 
meet the small boat in which he was to come ashore for her. Their 
secret had, however, been discovered. As she neared the shore and 
recognized her lover's boat approaching, she heard a clatter of hoofs 
and saw her pursuers approaching. She spurred her spirited steed into 
the surf, riding as far as he would bear her, and thus was received by 
Robert, completely discomfiting her pursuers. The vessel, though 
with but a scanty crew, at once hoisted sail. But the next day a terri- 
ble storm came on. Day came and went, with no cessation of the tem- 
pest, and the frail vessel, driven before the gale, was hurried into 
strange seas. No land was seen till on the thirteenth day, green hills, 
rich in tropical vegetation, greeted their eyes. Robert and Anne landed 
with a few of those on board, and were delighted with the beauties of 
the new-found isle ; but before they had recovered from the fatigues of 
their terrible voyage another storm drove their vessel off. They were 
on the Island of Madeira, separated from Christendom. Poor Anna, 
worn out by her hardships and excitement, could not rally even in this 
beautiful spot — she sank rapidly, and died the third day. Robert 
buried her at the foot of a tree where she had spent much of her time 
in prayer ; but his own days were sealed. In less than a week he too 
breathed his last, and was laid beside her. Their comrades hastened 
to leave a spot fraught with such melancholy memories. They suc- 
ceeded in reaching the coast of Morocco in their small boat, to find 
their former comrades of the vessel already in slavery there. A 



114 CAPE VERDE ISLANDS DISCOVERED 

Spaniard, also held in bondage, learning their story, was able after 
his return to Spain to guide a Portuguese ship to the island tomb of 
the unfortunate lovers. Such is the romantic story of the discovery 
of Madeira. 

The Azores, or Vulture Islands, were next discovered in 1448 by 
Dom Gonzalo Velio, Commander of Almouros, and on Corvo, one 
of the islands of this group, a statue was found, with an inscription 
on the pedestal in strange characters that none could decipher. And 
this statue, so the story goes, pointed westward with its right hand, 
as if to show that there the great discovery was to be made. 

The next year Anthony Nolli, a Genoese navigator, discovered the 
Cape Verde Islands. 

Meanwhile in Europe students had taken up the ancient geo- 
graphers Ptolemy and Strabo. Editions of Ptolemy were printed 
with all the later discoveries. Maps were drawn, and all who sought 
to advance in the sea service studied and compared what was handed 
down from the past with what was discovered day by day. 

There was at that time in Europe a thoughtful, studious man, mak- 
ing marine charts and maps for sea captains, selling books of geogra- 
phy to students, though doubtless studying well every book before he 
parted with it, for many of his books still preserved are covered with 
his notes. He was a man of action, too ; he could command a ship 
and guide it skillfully in the fiercest of storms, or on the least fre- 
quented coasts. Nor was he lacking in bravery. He had met the 
Mohammedan corsairs and repulsed them, though he bore scars that 
showed how dear victory cost him. This man was to make a dis- 
covery that would throw in the shade the discoveries of all before 
him, change completely the current of men's thoughts, and raise up 
a new order of things. This man was Christopher Columbus. 



CHAPTER I. 

_je early Life of Christopher Columbus — His first Voyages — Terrible Naval Engagemeni 
near Lisbon — His wonderful Escape — His Scheme of crossing the Atlantic — Genoa, Venice, 
and Portugal refuse to aid him — Home in Genoa — At Palos — Father Marchena and the 
Convent of Santa Maria de la Rabida — He starts for the Court of Ferdinand and Isa- 
bella. 

Genoa, one of the great commercial republics of Italy, a city of long 
historic fame, was the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. His 
family were genteel — not above honest toil, but people of culture. 
His father, Dominic, possessed some small property at Genoa and 
places near it, and at the same time was a comber and weaver of 
wool. They were, therefore, comfortably off, and Christopher wag 
born in a house belonging to his father outside the city walls where 
the road winds off to the little town of Bassagno. Tradition, which 
recent proof sustains, shows that the future glory of Genoa was bap- 
tized in the hillside church of Santo Stefano di Arco, by the Bene- 
dictines who presided there. 

He was the eldest son, and the hope of the house. His father 
sought to give him an opportunity to acquire knowledge greater than 
his own home afforded him. The commencement of an education 
had been laid in Genoa, and before he reached his tenth year Chris 



Il6 THE BOYHOOD OF COLUMBUS. 

topher was sent to Pavia. Here some one attached to the Univer- 
sity for three years instructed the boy, who evidently showed aptness 
for learning, and diligence. At his early age he could not have fol- 
lowed the course of the University, but he acquired the rudiments, 
a knowledge of Latin, and some insight into mathematics. But he 
was naturally a student and a lover of books. 

Back again to the narrow street of Genoa, where his father's place of 
business was, came the boy, his imagination fired by the glimpse into 
learning, the open sea beckoning him to its life of adventure and 
freedom. Obedient to his father, whom he ever honored through 
life, he took his place in the workshop and sought to mould himself 
to the quiet life of commerce. But he yearned for action in the 
career where his grand-uncle was already famous. 

At fourteen he was already on shipboard. Docile, prompt, eager io 
learn, eager to advance, he was one to win his way with his commander 
and with all. His voyages carried him over most of the Mediterra- 
nean, from the Straits of Gibraltar to the Archipelago. That sea was at 
that time swept by corsairs which sailed under the Crescent, and made 
war on all Christian flags. Every merchant-ship went armed, and a 
sea-fight was often the incident of a voyage. Young Christopher in 
one of these engagements received a deep wound, which, though 
healed at the time, broke out in his later years and endangered his life. 

In 1459 Christopher had become an officer under his grand-uncle, 
who commanded a fleet for King Rene, of Anjou, then seeking to 
win his kingdom of Naples. It is evident that young Christopher did 
his duty well, for Rene sent him in command of a vessel to cut out a 
galley from Tunis, which had become notorious for its ravages on 
Christian commerce. 



HE COMMANDS A GENOESE VESSEL. II7 

1 

That his love of adventure and discovery was stimulated by a high 

religious purpose is shown by the following words of the Holy Father : 

" There are, without doubt, many men of hardihood and full of 

experience who, before Christopher Columbus and after him, ex- 

' . . 

plored with persevering efforts unknown lands across seas still more 

unknown." 

" The eminently distinctive point in Columbus is, that, in crossing 
immense expanses of the ocean, he followed an object more grand 
and more elevated than the others. This does not doubtless say 
, that he was not in any way influenced by the very praiseworthy de- 
sire to be master of science, to well deserve the approval of society, 
or that he despised the glory whose stimulant is ordinarily more 
sensitive to elevated minds, or that he was not at all lookinof to his 
personal interests. But above all these human reasons, that of re- 
ligion was uppermost by a great deal in him, and it was this without 
any doubt which sustained his spirit and his will, and which fre- 
quently, in the midst of extreme difficulties, filled him with consola- 
tion." — Pope Leo XI II., on Christopher Cohtmbiis. 

A few years after this we find him on the Atlantic, commanding a 
vessel in a Genoese fleet, under Colombo il Mozo. His native State 
was at war with the sister republic of Venice, and they were on the 
dookout for some rich vessels of the Queen of the Adriatic. They 
finally came upon them between Lisbon and Cape Saint Vincent. It 
was a sad spectacle to see Italians thus arrayed against each other, but, 
as is usual in such wars, the feeling was intense on both sides. All day 
long the Venetians gallantly resisted the attack of the Genoese. Chris- 
topher Columbus had grappled one of the Venetians, and in the hand 
to hand fight on her deck had nearly forced her to yield, when she took 



ii8 



THE MARRIAGE OF COLUMBUS. 



fire. In a moment both vessels were in fiames. But the ships were so 
bound together by spars and cordage, as well as grappling-irons, that 
Columbus was unable to disengage his vessel from her burnino- antaa. 
onist. The combat ceased, and as the fires would soon communicate 
to the powder, the recent antagonists plunged into the sea, the only 
rivalry being to reach the shore, which a line of breakers showed them 
some five miles distant. Columbus struck out manfully, spent as he 
was with the terrible fight, but in his exhausted state he would never 
have reached the shore had not Providence thrown in his way a larae 
oar. by the aid of which he at last reached land, to turn and look back 
on the sea, beneath which lay all that remained of the noble vessel 
he so lately commanded. 

At Lisbon, which he had thus strangely reached, he found his brother 
Bartholomew making and selling charts and dealing in books of navi- 
gation, the great Prince Henry having made Lisbon a resort of expe- 
rienced naval men. The society of these men was very attractive to 
Christopher, who, joining his brother in business, made it lucrative 
enough to enable him to send remittances to his father, whose commer- 
ciaHiTairs had not prospered. While perfecting his knowledge of geog- 
raphy and arriving at the final theory as to transatlantic voyages, he 
married Dona Philippa Perestrello, daughter of an Italian navigator 
who had made many voyages of exploration and died Governor of 
Porto Santo, one of the Madeira Islands. The papers of this naviga- 
tor aided him still more, and King Alphonsus, at one of his audiences, 
showed Columbus some enormous reeds that had been driven across 
the Atlantic. As early as 1474, we know, by letters of the celebrated 
Italian cosmographer Toscanelli, that Columbus had already laid before 
liim his plan for reaching Cathay by sailing westward, and that his mo- 



HIS FAILURE AT VENICE. IIQ 

tive was the extention of Christianity. But he was not yet ready to 
submit his plan to the world. This he did in 1476. Like a true son 
of Genoa he first proposed it to that republic ; but they shrunk from 
"undertakino- to test it. Venice viewed it with no gfreater favor. 

Discouraged at this, Columbus, weary of the shore and study, from 
time to time made short voyages, with some extending to the German 
Ocean and to the North Atlantic, even beyond Iceland. 

At last there came an opportunity to lay his favorite plan before 
the King of Portugal, who began to show an interest in new discov- 
eries. The plan of Columbus was referred to a committee of learned 
men, one of them being a cosmographer of some note. They rejected 
iitas unwise; but the King favored it so much, that listening to un- 
worthy advice, he secretly sent off a vessel to test the soundness of the 
'views of the Genoese navigator. Providence did not permit treachery 
' to succeed. Columbus, crushed with disappointment and afflicted by 
I the death of his faithful, loving wife, fled from Lisbon in 14S4, taking 
'by the hand his son Diego, and was soon once more in Genoa. 

But he could not rest. His faith in his plan was intense, and he 
was no longer of an age when he could waste time in inaction. Again 
he endeavored to enlist the Republic of Genoa, and failing he set uut 
with young Diego for Spain, entering it unheralded ar»d unknown. 

A little out of the petty seaport town of Palos, in Southern Spain, 
on a high promontory looking over the sea, nestled in the pines that 
clothe its summit stood a little Franciscan convent, built on the ruins 
of an old pagan shrine. At the door of this rambling old-time struct- 
ure Columbus one day knocked, as many a wayfarer did, to ask a 
little refreshment for his son. The Guardian of the Convent, Friar 
lohn Perez de Marchena, entered as he was admitted, and, struck by 



1 20 PADRE MARCHENA ENTERTAINS COLUMBUS. 

the whole bearing of the stranger, asked him of the object of his jour- 
ney. From one in his guise, the reply was strange enough. He was 
from Italy on his way to Court to lay an important plan before the 
Kings, for so Spaniards always called Ferdinand and Isabella, each 
* being monarch of a separate state. 

If Padre Marchena was surprised to find his strange guest a man 
of such ability and enterprising mind, Columbus was no less delighted 
to find in the Guardian of the little convent of Santa Maria de la 
Rabida, not only a kind-hearted man, but one of great learning, scien- 
tific attainments, and an excellent cosmographer, prized especially by 
Queen Isabella for his wonderful acquirements and his solid piety 
and humility, which induced him to jarefer hiding his abilities at 
Palos, rather than display them in the sunshine of the Court. 

A friendship was at once formed, close and strong, between the two 
men, and the deep religious feeling of Columbus, and his studies, 
made their union lasting. Columbus and his son became the welcome 
guests of the friars, and in this haven Columbus enjoyed a repose to 
which he had long been a stranger. Here, guided by this learned 
man, he extended his studies, and spent much time in prayer. At 
last, with a higher, nobler courage, with his plan more firm than ever, 
and an array of learning to maintain it, he set out for the court, bear- 
ing a letter strongly commending his project to a man of great influ- 
ence with the sovereigns. With the freedom of a friend this ^ood 
man obtained and handed him a sum of money to meet his expenses, 
and crowned his friendly acts by taking on himself the care of young 
Diego's education and support. Columbus now bent his way to Cor- 
dova, to renew proposals that had been elsewhere rejected. 



CHAPTER II. 

Position of the Spanish Kingdoms — Columbus at Court — His Plan rejected — Employed by 
Queen Isabella— Returns to Palos in order to go to France — Padre Marchena again — 
Queen Isabella resolves to send him out — The little Fleet fitted out at Palos — The Portu- 
guese endeavor to defeat his Voyage — The open Sea — Alarm of Sailors — Land ! — He takes 
Possession in the Name of Isabella — Voyage Home — The Portuguese again — Enters Lisbon^ 
Received by the King — At Palos— Pinzon and Columbus— The discoverer proceeds to Court 
to announce his success. 

The ccndition of Spain at this period was a peculiar one, not 
easily understood without a knowledge of its past history. 

When the Roman Empire fell, under the attack of the hordes of 
barbarians who overran it, and planted new kingdoms in various 
parts, Spain fell into the hands of the Goths, a warlike race who 
sprang from what is now called Sweden. These Goths became Chris- 
tians and ruled over Spain for many years, till in the year 711, the 
Saracens or Moors who had embraced the religion of Mohammed and 
conquered all the northern part of Africa, arrived at the straits between 
Spain and Africa, then called the Pillars of Hercules, but was now to 
be called Gibraltar, the mountain of Tarifa, one of their leaders. 

It depended now on the Goths, whether the religion of Mohammed 
should enter Europe, or be checked. The Goths were brave, but 
their king was a wicked tyrant, and his nobles were so incensed at 
him that some of them actually invited in the Saracens, who reduced 
all Christians to slavery, giving them no choice between the Koran 
and the sword, death or the religion of Mohammed. 

Roderic, the last of the Gothic kings, met the Saracens in battle in 



12:; PLANS OF COLUMBUS REJECTED. 

Xerez and after a bloody engagement was totally defeated and slain, 
though many believed that he escaped and was shut up, doing pen- 
ance in some cave or some lonelj' island, to reappear one day and 
recover his kingdom. 

But the Gothic monarchy fell at Xerez. The Saracens swept over 
Spain, reducing it all to their power. Only a few brave Christians, 
under a prince named Pelayo, retiring to the mountains of Asturias, 
defied the Saracens and after defeating them in several battles 
secured their independence. 

Meanwhile, the Saracens established kingdoms, which ruled with 
great splendor and magnificence, cultivating art and science. But the 
little Christian kingdom of Pelayo gained strength, and other Chris- 
tian kingdoms were gradually formed as they recovered part of the 
land from the Saracens. Of these the most important were Aragon 
and Castile, and on the Atlantic, that of Portugal. At last, Ferdinand, 
king of Aragon, married Isabella, Queen of Castile in her own right, and 
united the two great kingdoms of Spain. But the people were jealous. 
Each State remained independent of the other; Ferdinand led the 
troops of Aragon, and Isabella those of Castile, in the war they under- 
took to overthrow Granada, the last of the Moorish kingdoms. They 
were not styled King and Queen of Spain, but the "Catholic Kings." 

It was to their court at Cordova that Columbus proceeded : but 
the Moorish war absorbed all thoughts, and Isabella, though favor- 
ably inclined, could promise to aid him only when the war should be 
ended. His plans were laid before a committee of learned men, none 
of them however navigators or of great geographical knowledge. 
They decided against it. Still Columbus was kindly treated and em- 
ployment given him suited to his abilities. He married again and 



QUEEN ISABELLA PLEDGES HER JEWELS. 1 23 

remained for six years in vain urging his favorite project. Then he 
gave it up, and returning to i'aios, announced to his friend Padre 
Marchena his intention of going to France. Tliegood friar wrote to 
Oueen Isabella urging her not to lose so great an opportunity. One 
of her officers, Luis de Santangel, warmly espoused his cause, and 
when Granada fell, on the 30th of December, 1491, all seemed to 
promise a speedy success. Hut when they began to treat the matter 
seriously with Columbus they took alarm at the magnitude of his 
claims. He was to be Admiral of the Ocean, Viceroy of all new 
found lands, and to receive one-tenth of all the gold, precious stones 
and other commodities exported from them. At last all fell through, 
md Columbus started for Cordova to take leave of his family before 
proceeding to France. 

Then Queen Isabella decided to send him out on his voyage of ex- 
ploration, if she had to pledge her jewels to obtain the money. An 
officer was soon galloping after Columbus. On the 30th of April a 
patent was issued, creating him Grand Admiral of the Ocean, Viceroy 
of all the islands and mainland he mieht discover, and makino- the 
dignities hereditary in his family. The little fleet of three vessels was 
to be fitted out at Palos, but it was not got ready except with great 
difficulty, so foolhardy did the project seem to the shipowners and 
seamen of that maritime place. At last, by the aid of Martin Alonzo 
Pinzon, who had seen at Rome a map showing land beyond the At- 
lantic, and had faith in the project, the vessels were equipped. 

An old heavy carrack, furnished by the town of Palos, was named 
by Columbus the Santa Maria; it was old, but still serviceable, and 
became his flagship. The Pinta and the Nina, the latter belonging 
to the Pinzons, completed the important squadron, which carried in 



124 LIFE OF COLUMBUS IN DANGER. 

all a hundred and twenty men, royal officers, physicians, and a gold- 
smith to test what might seem to be precious metals. In this party 
there were an Englishman and an Irishman. After piously attend- 
ing divine service in the chapel of La Rabida, they moved in pro- 
cession to the shore and embarked. Early on the 3d of August^ 
1492, Columbus, having completed all his arrangements, and com- 
mended his undertaking to the Almighty, in his friend's little church 
on the shore, stepped on board his flagship, and hoisting his flag. 
gave the order to sail. He steered at once to the Canaries. Here 
he made some necessary repairs on the Pinta, and altered the sails 
of the Nina. Here too he heard that three Portuguese vessels had 
been sent out to capture him and defeat his expedition. But he 
eluded them, and his flotilla went boldly into the unexplored sea. 
That soon assumed a character new to the oldest mariners ; and 
what perplexed Columbus sorely, the needle in the mariner's compass 
no longer pointed due north, but inclined westward. For a time all 
went well. Twice the cry of land was raised by Pinzon, claiming 
the pension promised by Queen Isabella, but it was a mere delusion. 
The men grew sullen, mutinous and threatening. The life of Co- 
lumbus was in danger. At last he stood alone. On the 7th of 
October, led by the Pinzons, the men of all the vessels rising in arms 
demanded that Columbus should abandon his mad project and sail 
back. Never did his greatness of soul display itself more nobly. 
He awed them into submission. He had started to go to the Indies 
and he intended to pursue the voyage till, by the help of God 
he found it. 

That night was spent in watching, and as Columbus urged, in prayer. 
At ten o'clock, as he stood on the poop of the Santa Maria, he discerned || 



LAND DISCOVERED AT LAST. 1 25 

a light moving in the darkness. The Pinta then ran ahead, and at 
two in the morning a sailor on board that caravel, John Rodriguez 
Bermejo, discovered land. The cannon booming over the w^estern 
wave announced the glad tidings, and Columbus, kneeling, intoned 
the Te Deum, which was chanted with heartfelt joy. The ships 
now lay to in a reef-harbor of immense size, till morning should en- 

' able them to approach land safely. 

" If he had not inspired himself from a cause superior to human 

' interests, where, then, would he have drawn the constancy and the 
strength of soul to support what he was obliged to the end to endure 
and to submit to — that is to say, the unpropitious advice of the 
learned people, the repulses of princes, the tempests of the furious 
ocean, the continual watches during which he more than once risked 
losinof his sioht ? To that addino- the combats sustained aeainst the 
barbarians, the infidelities of his friends, of his companions, the 
villainous conspirators, the perfidiousness of the envious, the calum- 
nies of the traducers, the chains with which, after all, though inno- 
cent, he was loaded." — Po/>c Leo XIII., on Christopher Cohtmbus. 

On Friday, October 12, the rising sun discovered to their eyes an 
island clad in verdant groves of the mangrove tree ; a lake whose 
clear waters flashed in the morning sun lay near the inviting shore. 
No sight could be more charming to men whom long absence from 
land had driven almost to frenzy. Columbus, now flushed with par- 
donable pride at the triumphant success, arrayed in a scarlet mantle, 
and bearing the royal standard with the figure of Christ Crucified, 
landed in his cutter, as did the commanders of the other vessels. 
Planting the cross he knelt to adore the Almighty, kissing the earth to 
which His hand had guided the vessels. Uttering a prayer of singular 



126 THE ISLAND CALLED SAN SALVADOR. 

beauty, which history has preserved, he rose, and named the 
island San Salvador, Holy Saviour. Then drawing his sword he for- 
mally took possession in the name of Queen Isabella for her kingdoms 
of Castile and Leon. 

The island was called by the natives Guanahani, and now bears the 
name of Turk's Island. And from Hawk's Nest Reef Harbor there 
burst on the view of the great discoverer so many islands around, that 
he knew not which to visit. 

Some of the party now wandered around, full of wonder at strange 
plants, and flowers, and birds. Others with axes shaped a large cross. 
No human beings were seen, but at last a few naked forms appeared 
and cautiously drew near. The Europeans in their dress and arms 
were a strange spectacle to them, as they with their copper tint, their 
beardless faces, their want of all clothing, were to the Spaniards. A 
friendly intercourse began, and all was gladness. 

Columbus planted the cross where he had set up the royal banner^ 
and intoned hymns to thank God in a Christian spirit. Then con- 
tinuing his voyage, he discovered several other islands, to which 
he gave the names of Santa Maria de la Concepcion, Isabella, in 
honor of the Queen, Fernandina, in honor of the King. Then he 
reached the great island, Cuba, which he named Juana, in honor of 
the daughter of Isabella, and finally, Hispana, which, however,^ 
retains its Indian name, Hayti. 

While exploring this maze of islands the Santa Maria stranded, and 
became a total wreck. The grreat discoverer then erected a little fort 
on the shore of Hayti, in the territory of the friendly Cacique Gua- 
canagari, and leaving in it forty-two of his best men, sailed homeward 
in the Nifia and Pinzon in the Pinta. 



JOHN 11. RECEIVES COLUMBUS. 1 27 

Terrible storms were encountered, and Columbus, fearinor that he 
should never see Europe again, drew up an account, which he enclosed 
in a cask, in a cake of wax, and set adrift. At last, however, the 
Nina reached the Azores, but the Portuguese treacherously seized 
some of his men who landed to offer up their prayers in a chapel by 
the sea. With some difficulty he obtained their release, and contin- 
uing his voyage, on the 4th of March he was off the mouth of the 
Tagus, and, not without great risk, succeeded in bringing his storm- 
racked caravel into the roadstead of Rastello. Beingr thus driven 
into the waters of Portugal he wrote to the King, who at once 
invited him to Court. In spite of his chagrin at his own want of 
spirit in declining the offers made by Columbus, John II. now 
received him as he would a prince. Columbus had written letters to 
two officers of the Court of Queen Isabella, as well as to the sover- 
eigns themselves. He was however anxious to reach them in per- 
son. At Palos the crew of the Nina were received as men rescued 
from the grave. To add to the general joy, in the midst of their 
exultation the Pinta, Pinzon's vessel, came slowly up the bay. It 
had been driven to the Bay of Biscay, whence Pinzon had written to 
the Court. 

After fulfilling at La Rabida and other shrines vows made amid 
their perils and storms, Columbus with some of his party proceeded 
to Barcelona by way of Seville, bearing with him in his triumphal 
progress seven natives of the new-found world, with gold art^ ={1' 
mals, birds and plants, all alike strange to the eyes of Europe. 



CHAPTER III. 

Columbus is solemnly received by Ferdinand and Isabella at Barcelona — His second Voyage 
— Other Nations enter the Field of Discovery— Voyages of Cabot and Vesputius — The Name 
of the latter gives a Title to the New World — Columbus sails on his third Voyage — His 
Enemies — Bobadilla — Columbus arrested and sent to Spain in irons — His fourth Voyage — 
He beholds the Destruction of his Enemies by the hand of Providence— Reaches the Coast 
of North America— Returns to Spain— Dies at \'alladolid— Strange Migrations of his Body 
— His Tomb at Havana. 

The 15th of April, 1493, was a glorious day for Barcelona. 
The whole city was astir. The great discoverer of a New World was 
•■o enter the city and be solemnly received by Ferdinand and Isabella. 
Jeneath a canopy of cloth of gold, on two thrones, sat the Queen of 
Castile and the Kino- of Arag-on : and on a rich seat bv them the 
Prince Royal. An arm-chair awaited him, who now approached. 
At the shouts of the people and the sound of music all eyes turned 
toward the city gates, and ere long the banner of the expedition 
was seen by the courtiers around the throne, as the procession made 
its slow way through the wondering crowd. The sailors of the Nina, 
with the strange products of the New World, trees and shrubs, fruits 
and aromatics, rude golden articles, the arms of the natives, birds, 
animals, and, strangest perhaps of all, several Indians wondering and 
wondered at. Richly attired, but modest, Columbus advanced. The 
Sovereigns arose from their thrones to meet him, and extended their 
hands to welcome the great Discoverer. He bent his knee in rev- 
erence, but they would not permit it. Isabella bade him be seated 



i 



THE ACCOUNT OF THE VOYAGE. 1 29 

and covered as a grandee of Spain. Then at their request he made 
his report of that wonderful voyage and explained how strange and 
new the islands were in their people, and their productions. All list- 
ened with breathless attention to this unlooked-for result of what 
had so long been regarded as a dream. It was the triumph of Co- 
lumbus, the triumph of Isabella. 
When in that spirit of religion which influenced him and made him 

; deem himself specially raised by God to bear the name of Christ to 
the New World, he expatiated on the field thrown open to Chris- 

' tianity, all were moved to tears. 

Columbus' own letters, and letters of Peter Martyr and others 
spread the news through Europe. Printing was then fifty years old 
and the letter was printed in Spanish, in the strange gothic letter of 
the period. Of this book only one copy is now known. It was 
published in 1493 and is to be found in the Ambrosian Library, 
Milan. It is a rare specimen of what the printing art was in that 
da)', and is the first book published on American history. Latin 
was, however, the universal language, and the letter of Columbus to 
Sanchez, translated into Latin, was printed again and again. 

The favor of the rulers of Spain did not end in the pomp of the 
reception. Substantial honors were bestowed on Columbus, and a 
large and well-equipped fleet was at once prepared in which he was 
to carry over a large body of settlers, domestic animals, and all nec- 
essary for occupying the territory. The Grand Admiral with a stately 
retinue proceeded to Cadiz, and on the 25th of September, embarked 
in his second voyage in the Maria Galanta, with two other large caracs 
and fourteen caravels. Among those who sailed with him were 
Padre Marchena and the illustrious Las Casas. He reached 



130 KIKST EUROPEAN TOWN IN AMKKKA. 

Dominica on the 3d of November, and soon after an island 
to which he gave the name of his flagship, Maria Galanta. Keeping 
on he discovered and named others of the Windward Islands, and 
then reached Porto Rico, called by the natives Boriquen. When he 
arrived at St. Domingo he found his fort in ruins. His men had all 
been massacred. Insubordination had broken out and all had per- 
ished in various ways, though Guacanagri, true to Columbus, had 
endeavored to save them. Saddened as he was at this news, Colum- 
bus proceeded to found, at a suitable spot, the city of Isabella, the 
first European town in the New World. When the works in this 
city were well advanced, he sent back part of his fleet to Spain, and 
establishing a post further inland, proceeded on his voyage of dis- 
covery, visiting Cuba, Jamaica and some smaller islands. Then he 
gave his whole attention to his settlement, which was in a very dis- 
tracted condition, many of the settlers being turbulent and mutinous, 
with but little inclination to any serious work. Columbus, himself 
regarded with jealousy as a foreigner, had, notwithstanding his high 
rank as Admiral and Viceroy, great difficulty in establishing order. 
When he had, as he supposed, placed all on a better footing, he 
sailed back to Spain in 1496, leaving in command his energetic 
brother, Bartholomew. On reaching Spain he found that his enemies 
had not been idle there, and that a strong prejudice had been created 
against him. 

His two successful voyages were now the theme of conversation in 
Europe : and the courts which had ridiculed his projects and the re- 
ward he claimed, now saw their error and sought to retrieve it. Portu- 
gal had, we have seen, been the first to attempt to prevent Columbus 
from succeeding, and now protested against the famous line of demarca- 



JIJUN CAIilJT SAILS. 131 

tion drawn by Pope Alexander VI 1. between the Spaniards and Portu- 
guese, and against tlie Papal Bull confirming the Spanish right of dis- 
covery. 

England, where Bartholomew had pleaded in vain, now determined to 
attempt a voyage of exploration. It seems strange that the route of 
St. Brendan was again followed. 

In 1496, John Cabot, a Venetian, by long residence if not by birth, 
was in England, where he had been established for some years. Full 
of energy he applied to the King, Henry VII., for a patent to seek new 
lands. 

The cautious, money-loving King issued a patent authorizing 
Cabot and his three sons to search for islands, provinces or regions in 
the Eastern, Western or Northern seas, and as vassals of the English 
King to occupy the territory, but they were to bring all the products of 
the new found lands to the city of Bristol, and pay one-fifth into the 
royal treasury, a provision very characteristic of a King who in his last 
will drove a close bargain as to the price of the religious services to be 
performed after his death. 

Under this patent, John Cabot, accompanied by his son Sebastian, 
sailed from Bristol in May, 1497, with a single ship, to seek a northern 
passage to China. After a pleasant voyage of what he estimated to be 
seven hundred leagues, on the 24th day of June, 1497, he reached 
land at about the fifty-sixth degree of north latitude, among the frozen 
cliffs of Labrador. He had discovered North America in its most un- 
promising part. Seeking the northwest passage he ran along the coast 
for many leagues, planted the standard of England and the lion of St. 
Mark for Venice. Then he started again across the Atlantic, noticing 
two islands which he had not time to visit. 



132 ENGLAND CLAIMS NORTH AMERICA. 

This summer trip of tliree months gave England her claim to North 
America. 

His return gratified all England, from King to peasant, and 
though it had revealed only a barren land, led to further grants from 
Henry VII. 

This same year there sailed another explorer, and the most fortunate 
of all, for by a strange accident his name was given to the New World. 
This was Americus Vesputius, born at Florence, in Italy, in 145 1, who 
had been for some time in Spain directing the commercial affairs of 
Lorenzo de Pier Francesco, one of the princely family of Medicis. He 
met Columbus in 1496, and seems to have enjoyed his friendship. In 
May, 1497, he sailed on a voyage of exploration, and running as he 
estimated a thousand leagues, passing the islands discovered by Co- 
lumbus, reached the mainland. It is not easy to determine his course, 
but he seems to have reached Honduras, and to have coasted north 
along the shore of the Gulf of Mexico till, doubling the southern cape 
of Florida, he again emerged on the Atlantic and ran northward for a 
month along our seaboard, to an excellent harbor where he built a 
small vessel. Thence he sailed back, reaching Cadiz in October, 1498. 

By some, this voyage has been doubted, by others it is supposed to 
have been along South America. But a more careful examination 
leads us to the conclusion that to Americus Vesputius is due the 
honor of being the first to explore the extensive line of coast which 
our Republic holds, on the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico ; and that 
he did so while the Cabots, starting from the north, were in part 
examining our Atlantic seaboard. 

But while his countrymen were thus revealing to the world the exist- 
ence of a new and mighty continent, teeming with animal and vege- 



SEBASTIAN CABOT SAILS. 1 33 

'■ table life, rich in all that nature can give, but occupied only by roving 
bands of savage men, Columbus was detained in Spain by the intrigues 

- of his enemies and by the dull delays of stupid or malicious officials. 
f It was not till May, 1498, that he so far overcame all these obsta- 
cles as to be able again to embark : and in that month he set out on 

- his third and most unhappy voyage. 

That same month saw Sebastian Cabot sail from Bristol with two 
ships, and a number of volunteers eager to share in the perils and 

* romance of the undertaking. He crossed the Atlantic, and in the 
55th degree found himself in the midst of icebergs, which threatened 
him with destruction while they filled all hearts with wonder. In spite 
of the danger he sailed on, till on the iith of June he reached an 

! open sea which inspired him with hopes of reaching China : but his 
men became alarmed and compelled him to seek a milder climate. 
Running- down alone the coast he saw the immense shoals of codfish 
on the banks of Newfoundland, so numerous, some accounts say, that 
his ship could hardly get through them. Then they began to see in- 
habitants clad in skins, and opened trade with them. Of his voyage 
we have unfortunately no detailed accounts. He went south till he 
was at the latitude of Gibraltar and the longitude of Cuba, probably 
near Albemarle Sound, whence he steered back to England. In his 
northerly course he sav/ the polar bear feeding on fish, and apparently 
described its contests with the walruses, which it so often attempts 
to surprise asleep on the ice, but which, almost powerless there, 
seeks to srain the water and drae the bear down. 

Vesputius and Cabot enjoyed lives of honor and respect. Both were 
frequently employed by monarchs and received substantial marks of 
favor. Cabot, in the Spanish service, visited Brazil, explored the La 



134 SPANISH KINGS APPRECIATE VESPUTIUS. 

Plata, and was honored by Ferdinand with the title of Pilot Major of 
Spain, while Emperor Charles V. employed him in new discoveries, 
and when he returned to England, sought by great offers to induce 
him to return. But he preferred England and died at Bristol in 
1557, enjoying a pension given by Edward VI. 

Vespu'tius was highly appreciated by the Spanish Kings, who knew 
his skill in cosmography, as geography was then called, and in the pre- 
paration of charts, recording the latest discoveries, to guide the ships 
constantly starting out of Spanish ports. But the King of Portugal 
for a time obtained his services, and he not only sailed on several Span- 
ish expeditions, but commanded Portuguese fleets in which he explored 
the South American coast. He, too, held the title of Pilot Major un- 
der the Spanish Kings. Some have charged Americus Vesputius with 
gross injustice to Columbus in robbing him of the honor of discovering 
the New World by affixing his own name to it. But there is really no 
ground for this charge, and though the name America was formed from 
his Christian name, it was not done by him. The thing came about 
in this way: In 1507 a celebrated geographer named Waldseemuller 
published at St. Die, a little town in Lorraine, one of the provinces 
recently taken from France by Prussia, a little work entitled " Cosmo- 
graphise Introductio," and to it he added an edition of the four voy- 
ages of Vesputius, which had fallen into his hands. Not being 
familiar, it would seem, with the voyages of Columbus, he ascribed all 
the honor to Vesputius, and on his map first introduced the name 
America. Of this book there seems to have been a large edition, as 
it found its way to all parts of Europe, and as the name was more 
short and convenient than the term used by the Spaniards, "The 
Indies," it was adopted on maps generally. 



SOUTH AMERICA DISCOVERED. I35 

In this same eventful year, Vasco tie Gama, doubling the Cape of 
Good Hope, sailed through the Indian Ocean and planted the flag 
of Portugal on the shore of Hindostan. 

On the 30th day of May, 149S, Columbus, for whom Providence 
had in store its greatest trials, sailed with six caravels from the Port 
of San Lucar de Barrameda, a Spanish port not far from Seville. 

A French fleet lay in wait for him. Steering a southerly course, he 
touched at Madeira, whence he dispatched three vessels to St. Domin- 
!)go, under command of his brother-in-law, Pedro de Arana, designing 
■ himself, though in ill health, to make a voyage of discovery before pro- 
ceeding to that island in person. Taking a southwesterly course, he 
■, came before long into the region of those tropic calms, where the sun 
J pours down its fatal heat, and not a breath of air seems to ruffle .the 
' surface of the ocean. For a week his vessels rolled like logs. Then, 
I when wind came, he steered more northerly, suffering greatly, as the 
\ long calm had nearly exhausted their supply of water. Finally, on the 
' last day of July, three mountain-peaks were seen, and to this island 
Columbus gave the name of Trinidad, in honor of the Trinity. 

Near it he perceived a strong current, as if some mighty river were 
sweeping into the sea. When the tide rose, a still stranger spectacle 
met his eye ; an immense tidal wave, rising as high as his masts, came 
rolling on, and bearing his caravel up, met the river current, standing 
like a watery mountain. He was off the mainland of South America, 
at the mouth of the Orinoco. In memory of his peril, he called it the 
Dragon's Mouth. 

Exploring the coast for some days, he landed on Sunday, and plant- 
ing a cross, had divine service celebrated. Friendly intercourse was 
opened with the natives, but Columbus, suffering from gout, and nearly 



136 KOLDAN INCITES THE INDIANS. 

blind from an affection of tlie eyes, felt that he must reach his colony 
in St. Domingo. There, Francisco Roldan, the judge in the colony, 
had revolted against Bartholomew Columbus, because he sought to 
protect the Indians from the oppressions of men who sought gold 
by the most wicked means. Bartholomew had failed to quell the 
troubles, and even the crews of the vessels sent on from Madeira 
were won over by the malcontents. 

Columbus himself arrived sick, exhausted, and, from the condition 
of his eyes, unfit for active duties. 

He endeavored to conciliate, and pardoning the offenders, allowed 
all who chose to return to Spain in some vessels then ready to set 
sail. But they did not go till they had wrung from him humiliating 
conditions. 

He then endeavored to restore peace on the island ; but Roldan 
and his party had driven the Indians to a spirit of retaliation and 
revenge. While endeavoring to appease these, fresh troubles arose 
among the settlers, and an attempt was made to assassinate Colum- 
bus, and he was on the point of flying with his brothers in a ship 
from the island. 

Well would it have been for him had he done so. His enemies 
had reached Spain, and given their own version of affairs. The 
Chamber at Seville, intrusted with the management of affairs beyond 
the Atlantic, was already strongly prejudiced against Columbus. King 
Ferdinand, who had never been a warm friend to the great explorer, 
now declared against him openly. Even Isabella was staggered by 
the charges against him. 

A sudden and terrible blow was prepared for Columbus. 

The sovereigns resolved to send over a Commissary to restore 



COI.U.MBU.S I'UT I\ IKOXS. 1 37 

order in the colony. For this post, requiring the highest quaHties, 
they selected a mere tool of his enemies — a soldier unacquainted 
with the laws, a headstrong, violent man, brutal and unforoivino-. 
This was the Commander Francis de Bobadilla. 

While Columbus was absent from the city of San Dominoo, en- 
gaged in establishing a strong fort at Conception, Bobadilla arrived 
with two caravels. He announced himself as Commissary sent to 
judge the rebels, but on landing, read his patents and an ordinance 
conferring on him the government and judicature of the islands and 
mainland of the Indies ; and an order requiring Columbus to deliver 
up all the fortresses and public property into his hands. He at once 
seized not only these but the private property and papers of Colum- 
bus, man)' of which have never since been found. 

But he was a little afraid that Columbus might resist, so he sent a 
Franciscan to induce the Admiral to meet him. Bartholomew was 
then at Zaragua, and Diego Columbus alone in .San Domingo. 

Columbus came in good faith, with no force to protect him. See- 
ing him about to fall into the trap, Bobadilla seized Diego Columbus, 
put him in irons, and sent him on board a caravel. When Columbus 
himself arrived, Bobadilla not only refused to see him, but gave 
orders for his immediate arrest. Thus was the discoverer of the 
New World, without the charge of a single crime, without investiga- 
tion, while holding his commission as Viceroy of the Indies, seized, 
hurried off to a prison, and manacled like a malefactor. No one was 
allowed to approach him, and no e.xplanation given. Bartholomew 
was next seized and put in irons on a caravel apart from Diego. 

We have seen what the shattered health of Columbus was on reach- 
ing San Domingo. Labor and anxiety had worn him down since his 



I.^S ON BOARD THE GORDA. 

arrival. And now he lay on the stone floor of his dungeon, with very 
scanty clothing, suffering from pain, and denied any but the coarsest 
prison fare. 

Then Bobadilla went to work to secure depositions from all who 
had opposed Columbus ; and when he had collected enough false 
charges to give color to his infamous acts, he sent an officer named 
Vallejo, with a body of soldiers, to bring Columbus from his dungeon. 

"Whither do you take me, Vallejo?" asked the great man, who, ^ 
feeling that no law, human or divine, was respected by his enemies, 
supposed he was to be led to the scaffold. 

" On board the Gorda, your Excellency," replied the young officer, 
who was not destitute of respect for the illustrious victim. 

" Is this true, Vallejo ?" 

"By the life of your Excellency," replied the young offtcer, "I 
swear that I am about to conduct you to the caravel to embark." 

With little delay he was carried forth, emaciated, sick, and help- 
less, and thus in irons borne to the hold of the Gorda, to which his 
two brothers had been already removed. And early in October the 
vessel weighed anchor, and he who had just crowned his explora- 
tions by discovering the mainland of the New World, was hurried 
across the Atlantic like a criminal. 

When from the deck of the vessel the shores of Hispaniola could 
no longer be discerned, the officers came to the illustrious man to beg 
him to allow them to remove his fetters. Columbus refused. They 
were put upon him in the name of their Sovereigns and he would 
not violate their orders. 

A letter of his to a friend at Court reached there before any report 
of Bobadilla's, and was at once shown to Queen Isabella. Horror- 



THE FLEET OF BOBADILLA SINKS. I39 

Struck at the injustice to the great Discoverer, she ordered him and 
his brothers to be at once set at liberty, and suppHed with money to 
proceed to court. She received him with tears. His conduct was 
justified, Bobadilla removed, but Ferdinand thwarted his return to 
the New World. 

It was not till May, 1502, that Columbus was able to sail once more 
out into that ocean which he has made the pathway of the nations. 
He reached San Domingo, but was not allowed to enter port. To 
his experienced eye the air was full of portents of a coming tempest, 
A fleet rode at anchor in the harbor, ready to sail to Spain. It bore 
the brutal Bobadilla, his greatest enemy, Roldan, and many more who 
had bitterly persecuted him. They had accomplished their work, and 
having by every cruelty amassed riches, were now returning to Spain. 
Forgetting their hostility to him, Columbus warned them not to sail 
till the storm had passed. To their inexperienced eyes, all was serene. 
They laughed Columbus to scorn. Forth sailed the gay fleet, but in 
a moment all changed. The hurricane came on in all its fury, sweep- 
ing over sea and land with resistless power. Columbus was equal to 
the emergency which he had foreseen. Clear as a bell, amid the rat- 
tling of the spars and the whistling of the cordage, came his wise 
orders. His little fleet weathered the storm ; but when the wind died 
away and the sea grew calm, the gay fleet of his enemies had vanished. 
It had gone down with all their ill-got wealth. Pursuing his voyage 
of discovery, Columbus reached Honduras and coasted along to 
Panama. This was his last voyage. Amid severe storms he finally 
reached Spain, on the 7th of November, 1503. Shattered in health 
by all that he had undergone, he lay sick at Seville when another 
blow came, the death of his true friend, Oueen Isabella. His health 



140 COLUMBUS BREATHES HIS LAST. 

now rapidly declined. He reached Valladolid, but it was only to die 
neglected and forgotten in a room at an inn : the walls unadorned 
except by the chains which bound his limbs on the Gorda, and which 
he had never allowed out of his sight after that period of suffering. 
Columbus breathed his last May 20, 1506, surrounded by his sons 
and a few faithful friends, comforted with the rites of the religion ta 
which he was so devoted in life. 

He was buried in the chapel of the P'ranciscan friars at Valladolid, 
but his remains were before longf transferred to the church of the 
Carthusian monks in Seville. It had been his wish to be in the 
New World he had discovered, and about the year 1540 the bones of 
the great Columbus were borne across the Atlantic ; they were then 
deposited in the Cathedral of St. Domingo, in a vault on the right of 
the high altar. Spain abandoned the Island of St. Domingo in 1795, 
but her officials, when they left the city, took up and conveyed to 
Havana what were regarded as the bones of Christopher Columbus. 
But in 1877 a case was discovered in the Cathedral of St. Domingo 
bearing the name of Christopher Columbus, and the bones found 
within it are regarded by many as the genuine remains of the Dis- 
coverer of the New World. 



CHAPTER IV. 

Attempts to conquer and colonize— The French — The Spaniards — Ponce de Leon and the 
Fountain of Youth — Vasquez de Ayllon and King Datha — Verrazano and the stories about 
him — Gomez — The Expedition of Pamphilo de Narvaez — Wonderful escape of Cabeza de 
Vaca — De Soto and the disastrous end of his splendid expedition — The French, under Car- 
tier and Roberval, attempt to settle Canada — Story of Margaret Roberval. 

When Columbus passed away in his neglected retirement at Val- 
ladolid, the world had begun to see the result of his great work. The 
discoveries and explorations of Columbus himself, of Vesputius, Cabot 
and Cortereal had established the fact that the New World, now to be 
known by the name of America, was no part of Asia, but a vast conti- 
nent extendinof from the extreme north, where it was lost amono- the 
Arctic ice, down past the equator, on almost to the southern pole. 

While the French were engaged in some voyages to the northern 
parts, a strange delusion led the Spaniards, in their spirit of adven- 
ture, to Florida. In 15 13, John Ponce de Leon, one of the old com- 
rades of Columbus, sailed from Porto Rico in three vessels, and on 
Easter Sunday, March 27th, discovered a land clad with rich green 
trees, and balmy with fiowers. The day is known in the Spanish 
calendar as Pasqua Florida, and the name seemed to him so ap- 
propriate that he gave the new land the name of Florida, which it 

has continued to bear amid all the changes and revolutions of more 

141 



142 THE FOUNTAIN OF PERPETUAL YOUTH. 

than two hundred and fifty years. Finding a good port, he landed. 
on the 8th of April, and was the first who took possession in the- 
name of any European monarch of any part of the United States. 
Spain thus planted her standard. As he sailed along the coast he- 
found the Indians so hostile that they killed several of his men. 
But he was delighted with the new land, and resolved to obtain a 
patent for it and for Bimini. According to some, this old warrior- 
had heard that Florida contained a fountain of perpetual youth,, 
bathing in which took away all marks of age, and gave the veteran 
the freshness and vigor of his early years. To win and bathe in this, 
fountain was, he thought, worth a man's most earnest effort. 

A patent was easily secured, but John Ponce had to fight the Caribs 
of Porto Rico, and it was not till 1521 that he sailed with two vessels 
to take possession of Florida and settle there ; but other Spaniards had 
meantime visited the shore, and had difficulties with the Indians, and he 
found them more fierce than before. His party was driven to the ships, 
and he was carried on board so badly wounded that he died soon after 
reaching Cuba, without having found the Fountain of Perpetual Youth. 

Of these Spanish voyagers to Florida, the most famous, or infa- 
mous, was Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon, of Toledo, who was driven, in 
1520, on the coast o*" South Carolina, near the Coosaw River, where 
a gigantic cacique or king, named Datha, ruled over the province of 
Chicora. Near this realm there had formerly lived, so the Indians 
told him, men with tails and rough skins, who lived on raw fish. 

The natives at first regarded the Spaniards with wonder and alarm, 
but as they acted kindly the natives grew friendly, and Datha sent fifty 
Indians loaded with fruits to the Spaniards, receiving them with great 
joy. Ayllon used this confidence to allure a hundred and thirty of the 



p-AMOUS PIRATE TURNS DISCOVERER. I43 

Indians on board his vessels, and tlien sailed off, disregarding the cries 
and tears of their unhappy relatives on the shore. One of his ships 
perished, the other reached San Domingo, where his wicked act was 
condemned, and where almost all his captives died of grief. 

After the death of Ponce de Leon, this bad man obtained a patent 
for Florida, and in 1524 landed with a large force. He marched a day's 
journey inland to a large town, where the Spaniards were well received 
for four days. Then the Indians suddenly attacked them by night, and 
slaughtered them all. Before those on the shore and in the ships knew 
the fate of their companions, they too were attacked with such fury 
that many perished, and the survivors were barely able to sail off. 

A voyage very important in its results was that made in 1524, by 
John Verrazano, a Flore-ntine navigator, in the French service, whose 
family numbered several known as cosmographers. 

The Spaniards tell queer stories about this navigator. They say he 
was a famous pirate, and that he it was who, in 1521, captured a rich 
treasure ship, in which Hernan Cortez sent o\'er to the Emperor King 
Charles V., an immense quantity of gold, jewels, and precious articles 
of various kinds, which he had secured in his capture of Mexico. 

A letter of Verrazano published many years after, tells us that after 
cruising off the coast of Spain with four vessels, he started in one, the 
Delphine, on a voyage of discovery. Sailing from the Canary Islands 
January 17, 1524, he ran across the Atlantic, in the most stormy 
weather, and reached our shores in latitude 34 degreesnorth — that is, as 
you will see on a map, about Wilmington, on the uninviting coast of 
North Carolina. Seeins: no harbor he sailed south, but soon turned 
northward and ran alontr the coast, followinsf the chang-es in the sea- 
board line, occasionally sending parties ashore to examine the country 



144 STRANGE MYSTERY HANGS OYER YERRAZANO. 

till he came to New York harbor. This he is supposed to haYe been 
the first white man to enter and to admire. Then he sailed again and 
entered Narraganset Bay. Here he traded with the friendly natives, 
then ploughed his way once more, along the coast of New England and 
NoYa Scotia, to the fiftieth degree, near Cape Breton, already discov- 
ered by the Bretons, whence he sailed back to France, arriving in July. 

The country which he had thus visited seemed full of attractions, 
rich and fertile, with natives disposed to be friendly, except at the 
north. He did not land or take possession ; but one of his sailors, 
attempting to swim ashore, would have been drowned but for the 
humanity of the natives. 

Ramusio, who first published Verrazano's account, and knew many 
of his friends, calls him a gallant gentleman and sa)'s that he i^roposed 
to King Francis I. to colonize and Christianize the lands he had dis- 
covered ; but that sailing again to our shores he was killed, with several 
of his people who attempted to land, and that they were roasted and de- 
\ oured by the natives before the eyes of those in the vessels, who were 
unable to save or avenge them. On the other hand the Spanish histo- 
rians say that he was captureci in 1524, and hung by their countrymen. 

Such is the strange mystery that hangs over John Verrazano, whose 
narrative seems to have first suggested the name of Rhode Island. 

Some tidings of a French exploration may have reached Spain, for 
after a grand consultation of Spanish and Portuguese pilots, at Badajoz, 
in Spain, as to the possibility of finding a passage to the Moluccas be- 
tweenFloridaand Newfoundland, Stephen Gomez, an old companion of 
Magellan, was sent out in a single ship by the Emperor Charles V., in 
December, 1524. He, too, reached our Atlantic coast, and ran along, 
cnterino- the harbors of New York and New England. Failing to find 



A CARGO OF CLOVES OR SLAVES. I45 

a passage, he filled his ship with Indians, to sell as slaves, and so 
sailed back to Spain. It was at first reported to the court that he had 
brought a cargo of cloves, (called in Spanish c/avos,) and the court were 
greatly delighted, but when it was found to be i^esclavos) slaves, the 
Emperor was greatly displeased, and severely condemned Gomez. 

These various voyages established the fact that our coast contained 
no strait running to the Pacific. 

A very imposing attempt to settle the country was made by the 
disastrous expedition of Pamphilo de Narvaez, an old antagonist of 
Cortez in Mexico. The Emperor, Charles V., had given him a grant 
of all the territory of Florida from tlie Atlantic to the Rio de Palmas, 
a river which empties into the Gulf of Mexico, between Matamoros 
and Tampico. 

He set out with a considerable fleet in June, 1527, carrying sol- 
diers and a large body of actual settlers, intending to begin a colony 
on the Rio de Palmas. His pilot was incompetent, and in a storm 
they were driven on the coast of Florida, near Tampa Bay, and there, 
on the 15th of April, 1528, he landed and took possession. Then send- 
ing his ships on to meet him at a bay which the pilot pretended to know, 
Narvaez, with 300 men, forty of them mounted, set out to explore the 
territory along the Gulf. They found a miserable country, with few 
natives, and were soon reduced to great straits. At St. Mark's Bay, 
where they expected to find their vessels, no signs of them appeared. 
Thus abandoned they set to work and beat up their stirrups, spurs, and 
iron implements, to make saws, axes, and nails, and at last constructed 
five rude boats. Their shirts were made into sails, horsehair and pal- 
metto bark made them ropes, while the flesh of their horses and corn 
taken from the Indians enabled them to live. Thev had now been five 



146 EIGHT years' march AMONG THE INDIANS. 

months on our southern shore. So in September the survivors, number- 
ing 50 men, set out in these boats to make their vi^ay to Rio de Palmas. 
On the 30th of October they reached the mouth of the mighty river 
Mississippi, but the current was too strong for their wretched boats to 
enter. Here they parted. Narvaez kept close in shore, but his boat 
was at last driven out to sea and lost. Two other boats, one com- 
manded by Cabeza de Vaca, reached an island on the coast of Texas, 
where they fell into the hands of the Indians, and for many years were 
held as prisoners. At last, in 1 534, Cabeza de Vaca, with three others, 
one of them a negro, escaped, and striking inland, travelled on amid 
great perils and hardships, dressed like Indians, in skins, and differing 
little from them. They finally reached, after a time, the more civilized 
towns of New Mexico, and keeping on from town to town, and from 
tribe to tribe, they early in May, 1536, entered the Spanish settlement 
of San Miguel, in Sonora, having gone almost completely across the 
continent in that eight years' march. 

The appearance of these few men, as sole survivors of the great ex- 
pedition of Pamphilo de Narvaez, filled men with astonishment, and all 
listened with wonder to their stories of the interior of the continent. 
They had much to tell of wild tribes, of the bison plains, with their 
immense herds, of the strange towns of New Mexico. 

Cortez, who had conquered Mexico, himself set out with a fleet to 
explore the Pacific coast, and discovered California in 1538. 

A force was also dispatched, in 1539, frorh Culiacan, a province of 
Mexico, with a negro who had been with Cabeza de Vaca as guide. 
They pushed on till they reached the Rio Grande, where the negro was 
killed and the expedition returned, a friar, named Mark of Nice, who 
saw the New Mexican towns only at a distance, giving his impressions. 



THE INDIANS OF NEW MEXICO. I47 

which proved to be very far from the truth. Another expedition, under 
Vasquez Coronado, set out in 1 538, and advanced to the town of Zuni, 
which they attaclced and toolc, May iith, 1541. This town was built 
on a rocl-cy height, but instead of being a city with walls of stone, 
proved to be a small place, containing only two hundred warriors, with 
no gold or riches to tempt the Spaniards. These New Mexican towns, 
which still subsist as they did three hundred years ago, are built on 
high and almost inaccessible rocks, the houses all fronting on a square 
within. Outside there are no doors or openings. Each story sets back 
a little, leaving a platform which they reach by ladders, and so go on up 
till they come to the roof where they enter. They were more civilized 
than the wild Indians, and built these towns of adobes, or sunburnt 
bricks, as a defence against their enemies. They were a quiet, simple 
people, cultivating the soil, raising maize, beans, pumpkins, and cot- 
ton ; but they had no gold or precious stones. So Coronado, after 
visiting other towns, pushed on to find Ouivira, a place about which 
great stories were told, but he found only the bison plains. So, after 
wintering in New Mexico, he returned ; vessels had meanwhile as- 
cended the Colorado for a considerable distance. 

All this country seemed unpromising, and no Spanish settlement 
was attempted. 

But while these explorations were going on, produced by the reports 
of Cabeza de Vaca, another Spanish officer was bold enough to attempt 
to follow in the path of Pamphilo de Narvaez. This was Hernando de 
Soto, who had been with Pizarro in the conquest of Peru. " He desired 
to surpass Cortez in glory and Pizarro in wealth." He offered to con- 
quer Florida at his own cost, and Charles V. readily granted him a pat- 
ent. His fame gathered noblemen from all parts. Never had there 



T48 A DISASTROUS EXPEDITION. 

been an expedition so well appointed. Six hundred men in glittering 
armor and costly dresses gathered on the fleet which sailed in 1538, from 
San Lucar in Spain, as gaily as if going on an excursion of pleasure. 

In May, 1539, this expedition landed on the coast of Florida at 
Tampa Bay, and began a march of exploration and conquest, after send- 
ing back the ships. Wandering for months along the shore of the gulf 
towards Pensacola he at last struck inland, and came to the Ogeechee, 
then along to the headwaters of the Coosa, and so on to the town of 
Mavilla, on the Alabama. This was a town of well built cabins, better 
than any they had seen. The Spaniards, weary of their hard life and 
marches, wished to occupy it. The natives flew to arms. A terrible 
battle ensued, the first between white men and Indians on our soil 
that can really be called a battle. Soto gained part of the town and 
stored his baggage there, but with cavalry and armor and musketry 
his troops did not rout the Indians without great difficulty. They 
seemed innumerable and fought with desperation. At last, when they 
saw that their arrows and darts could not repel the invaders, and that 
the ground was strewn with the bodies of their bravest warriors, they 
set fire to the town and retreated. Soto had won the battle of Mavilla, 
and killed more than two thousand of his enemy : but eighteen of 
his mail-clad men had been killed and a hundred and fifty wounded; 
nearly a hundred horses were killed or crippled and all his baggage 
had perished in the burning town. 

His gallant array now stood destitute, weakened, and disappointed, • | 
Ships just then arrived at Pensacola,but he was too proud to return and 
acknowledge his failure. So he marched north, and wintered in Chicasa, 
a town in the Chickasaw country, in the north of what is now the State 
of Mississippi. In the spring he wished to force the natives to carry the 



I 
I 



BURIED IN THE MISSISSIPPI. I49 

burdens of his force, now reduced to five hundred men. But this 
fierce tribe set fire to the town, and attacked the invaders by night. 
Soto repulsed them with loss, but many of his horses and live stock 
perished, and arms and armor were ruined by fire, and they had so lit- 
tle clothing left that they were almost as naked as the Indians. 
But no thought of return entered Soto's mind ; he must find a new 
Mexico or Peru, or he would perish in the attempt. 

Then he came to the ATississippi, and could gaze in wonder at that 
mighty river, of which Narvaez had seen only the mouth. After long 
toil, he made barges and crossed with the remnant of his force. He 
struck northward till he nearly reached the Missouri, then finding 
only bison plains and a few scanty tribes, turned south again and 
passed the winter on the Washita. In the spring he was again on 
' the Mississippi, at the mouth of the Red. 

Below, all seemed a weary waste of cane-brake, and the Indians rep- 

( resented it as almost uninhabited. Soto sank under his disappoint- 

\ ments and hardships. Struck down by a malignant fever, he received 

little care and attention. But he felt death at hand, and calling all 

i around him he named his successor, and giving them his last instruc- 

I tions, prepared to meet his end. On the 21st of May, 1542, he 

breathed his last, and anxious to conceal his death from the Indians, 

they performed his funeral rites at night, and then consigned his body, 

wrapped in a mantle, to the waters of the Mississippi. Such was the sad 

ending of the pomp and show that opened his march, such the result of 

his long search for realms of gold. Muscoso, his successor, attempted 

to reach Mexico by land, but finally returned to the Mississippi, and 

building boats, descended its turbid and rapid current to the Gulf. 

More fortunate than Narvaez, he reached Tainpico, in September, 1 543. 



150 THE CROSS AND THE LILIES OF FRANCE. 

Such was the only result of Spanish attempts at conquest. They 
all failed, but Spain claimed all our country, and knew the whole 
coast and much of the interior. All were not fierce soldiers ; one 
missionary, Cancer, sought to win the natives by kindness, he landed 
alone, but he was killed almost instantly. 

While Spain was thus wasting men and means in the vain pur- 
suit of rich kingdoms that had no more existence than the Fountain 
of Youth, France acted more wisely. She did not seek gold ; but her 
sturdy, honest fishermen were gathering real wealth on the banks of 
Newfoundland. Chabot, the sagacious Admiral of France, under 
King Francis I., saw that it would be essential to explore, and, if pos- 
sible, colonize the adjacent continent. To command the expedition, 
he selected an experienced captain of St. Malo, named James Cartier, 
and presented him to the King. He sailed from St. Malo, April 20th, 
1534, with two vessels, carrying more than a hundred men. He soon 
came in sight of Newfoundland, and after sailing nearly around it, 
discovered Chaleurs Bay, and took possession at Gaspe, rearing a 
cross, with a shield bearinof the lilies of France. He entered the 
port of Brest, on the Labrador coast, already a well-known station. 

After advancing as far as Anticosti Island, but without apparently 
recognizing the river St. Lawrence, he sailed back. His report was 
so favorable that he was sent out the next year. His little fleet, the 
Grande Hermine, the Little Hermine, and the Emerillon, after his crew 
had, like truly Christian men venturing on a long voyage, besought the 
aid of heaven in the house of God, sailed May 16, 1535. Many gentle- 
men went as volunteers, and two clergymen. The vessels were sepa- 
rated by storms, but met again safely at Blanc Sablon, a place visited 
on his first voyage. He then entered a large bay, which he named the 



VISITORS FROM HEAVEN. I5I 

Gulf of St. Lawrence, in conimemoration of the day on which he 
discovered it, the loth day of August. 

Two young Indians, whom he had taken to France with him, and 
■ who had learned French, now proved useful as pilots. They told him 
that a great river, Hochelaga, ran up into the country, narrowing in as 
far as Canada, and that then it went on so far that nobody had ever 
been at the end of it. So Cartier sailed on, discovered the deep river 
Saguenay, which runs down amid such wild mountain scenery ; and 
keeping on, came to an island now called Orleans. Then he found 
at a narrow part of the river a rocky height, on which was perched 
the Indian town of Stadacone, ruled over by Donnacona, the Agou- 
hanna or Chief of Canada. This was Quebec. 

He anchored his vessels in the St. Charles, and found the natives 
friendly and well-disposed, but they endeavored to dissuade him from 
ascendinaf the river, tellino- him terrible stories about its dansjers, and 
even getting up a kind of masquerade to frighten him. 

But Cartier went on in his boats, till he came to the present Mon- 
treal, where he found the well-built Indian town of Hochelaga, with 
a triple row of palisades, standing amid wide fields of Indian corn, 
beans, peas, and squashes. This town contained fifty large cabins, 
made neatly of bark sewed together, and divided into rooms, each of 
which contained a famil)^ The people took the French for visitors 
from heaven, and brought them their sick and crippled to be cured. 

Cartier then ascended the mountain of Montreal, whence he could 
descry the Green Mountains of Vermont. 

The 1' Hans pointed out the upper waters of the St. Lawrence, which 
they told him could be navigated for three moons, while another river 
on the north of the island led to other lands. Encouraged by the 



I 52 



LORD OF NOREMBEGUA. 



prospect before him, Cartier returned to his ships, around which a Uttle 
fort had been thrown and planted with cannon. During the winter, 
scurvy broke out among his men and many died till they learned a cure 
from the Indians. " It was a decoction of the leaves and bark of 
the white pine, pounded together. The mariners drank the dis- 
agreeable medicine, and its effects were surprising — all were soon 
restored to good health. When the sun of May broke the icy fetters 
that bound the ships, and drove the vast masses of ice clown the 
river, the French commander took formal possession of the country 
by erecting a cross thirty-five feet high, bearing the arms of France 
and the inscription — Franciscits Prinms, Dei Gratia, Francoriun 
Rex, rcgnat, ' Francis the First, by the grace of God, King of France, 
reigns.'" In the spring he sailed for France carrying off Donnacona 
and some of his chief men, an act which cannot be justified. 

He was not able to return at once to Canada. It was not indeed 
till 1540 that Francis de la Roque, Sieur de Roberval, whom Cartier 
had interested in American affairs, obtained a patent, making him 
Lord of Norembegua, as the State of Maine was then called, and 
Viceroy of Canada. Cartier was commissioned to command the 
rieet, and extensive preparations were made. Spain took alarm, and 
spies were sent to all the ports of France to find out the object 
of the expedition. When tidings came that it was to attempt 
a settlement in the far north, the Spaniards breathed more freely, 
but it was decided that any attempt of the French to settle Florida 
must be crushed at once. On the 23rd of May, 1541, Cartier sailed 
with a fleet of five ships, well equipped and supplied with provisions 
for two years. Their passage was stormy and it was only after three 
months' buffeting with wind and wave that he anchored before 



J 



THE FRENCH ABANDON THE ST LAWRENCE. 1 53 

Stadacone. The natives eagerly asked for their chief and his com- 
panions, but they had all died in France, though it does not seem 
that they were treated with unkindness. 

Cartier selected as the spot .for his settlement a point now called Cap 
Rouge, a little above Quebec, and here he laid up his vessel and erected 
a fort, which he called Charlesbourg Royal. This was the first white 
post planted on the continent north of Mexico. Leaving the Viscount 
de Beaupre in command, Cartier ascended the river to explore and ex- 
amine. During the winter troubles arose with the Indians, in which 
' two Frenchmen were killed. In the spring the colonists, discouraged 
by the hardships and uneasy at Roberval's delay in coming with sup- 
plies, forced Cartier to embark for France, and Charlesbourg Royal 
was abandoned. Near Newfoundland they fell in with Roberval, but 
Cartier's people were utterly discouraged, and kept on to I"" ranee. 

Robprval entered the St. Lawrence, and anchoring at Charlesbourgr 
Royal, which he named France Roi, restored Cartier's fort. He then 
examined the upper part of the river, sent expeditions to explore the 
Saguenay and the coast of Labrador. But the colony did not prosper. 
It was not formed of the right material — men of principle, willing to 
labor and wait patiently. Many died of scurvy and other diseases, or 
by accidents. At last, when all were heartily discouraged, their eyes 
were gladdened by the sight of a vessel sailing up under French colors. 
It was Cartier, come with orders from the King, summoning Roberval 
to return to France with all his people. The order was prompt!)^ 
obeyed, and France abandoned the St. Lawrence. 

Of Roberval's voyage a strange story is preserved by an old chroni- 
cler. Among those on board his vessels were his niece, Margaret Ro- 
berval, and a young gentleman, to whom she had been secretly married 



154 THE YOUNG WIDOW LEFT ALONE. 

against the wishes of her family. As they came near Newfoundland, 
Roberval discovered the fact, and, inexorable in his anger, put them 
ashore with his niece's nurse on an island said to be that still called Isle 
de la Demoiselle, though the old chronicler supposes it to be the Isle of 
Demons, which our readers will remember. The unfortunate people 
built a log house, and when their store of pilot-bread was exhausted, 
lived altogether on roots, berries and wild-fowl, of which numbers fre- 
quented the island. Occasionally larger game was found ; but the 
young man's health began to fail, and ere many months, in spite of all 
Margaret's care, he breathed his last, and she was left a widow. A 
child born amid these dreary scenes soon followed its father. The old 
nurse, her comfort and companion, was the next to be summoned by 
death, and poor Margaret remained utterly alone beside her three 
graves. She was however a woman of undaunted courage. She felt 
that activity alone could preserve her health and life. She had learned 
to use her husband's arms, and fearlessly encountered even the white 
bear in its visits to the island, using the fur and flesh for her clothing 
and food. She lived in hope of being found by some vessel approach- 
ing that shore, and to attract them she kept up almost constant fires on 
the highest point of her island. When she had spent two years and 
five months on the desolate strand, her fires were seen by a Breton cod- 
fishing vessel. They were somewhat afraid to approach, but humanity 
prevailed. Margaret, after kneeling to say a farewell prayer by the 
graves of her loved ones, went on board with the furs she had o-athered 
in her hunting excursions. 

While France was thus attempting to settle in the north, Spain had 
now securely planted her colonies in Mexico and Peru, and her ships, 
richly laden, were constantly passing through the Gulf of Mexico on j. 



DOMINICAN FRIARS LAND IN AMERICA. 1 55 

their way to Spain. Many of these in the fierce tropical storms were 
I unable to withstand the fury of the tempest, and were driven on the 
northern shore of the gulf. The natives here, who had not forgotten 
the visits of Narvaez and Soto, massacred the crews of the ship- 
wrecked vessels, or spared them only for a slavery as bad as death. 

It was therefore decided to plant a colony at some convenient spot 
on our southern coast, and in 1559 Don Tristan de Luna was sent 
from Vera Cruz with thirteen vessels, carrying no less than 1,500 
men with several clergymen, friars of the Dominican order, to attend 
to the spiritual affairs of the colony and convert the natives. 

Tristan landed in Pensacola Bay on the 14th of August and was 
just preparing to send back a ship with intelligence when a terrible 
: storm came on, which destroyed every one of his ships. Many were 
[ lost, including all on board the ship ready to sail. While looking 
, around for what could be saved, they found a sloop standing with all 
' its cargo, more than a cannon-shot from the shore, as if set there by 
human hands. 

Instead of building a vessel to send for relief or to carry off part of 
his large force, he set to work to explore, endeavoring to live on the 
Indians ; but he was soon reduced to oreat straits, with nothinsf but 
acorns, nuts and roots for food. However he formed an alliance with 
the Coosas, and part of his army with them made war upon a tribe 
on the banks of the Mississippi who seem to have been the Natchez. 
At last, however, he fitted out a boat and sent word to Havana of 
his distress. Angel de Villafane soon appeared to take command, 
but he abandoned the country in 1561, leaving Don Tristan, who 
gallantly hoped to succeed in establishing a post. But the viceroy 
of Mexico soon ordered him to return and Pensacola was deserted. 



CHAPTER V. 

FRANCE, SPAIN AND ENGLAND ATTEMPT TO SETTLE OUR SHORES. 

Coligny resolves to establish a Huguenot Colony in Florida — Ribaut establishes Charlesfort 
on Port Royal — Captain Albert de la Pierria — Mutiny — The Survivors Saved by the 
English — Laudonniere builds Fort Caroline on the St. John's, Florida — A Revolt — 
Some turn Pirates — Relieved in Distress by Hawkins — Ribaut Arrives — The Spaniards 
resolve to Crush the Colony — Melendez sent out — The Fleets meet at Caroline — Melen- 
dez retires and builds St. Augustine — Ribaut pursuing him wrecked — Melendez takes 
Caroline — His Cruelty — Inhuman Treatment of the Wrecked — The Massacre of the 
French Avenged by Dominic de Gourgues — Subsequent History of Florida — Raleigh 
and his Efforts — Tobacco and Potatoes — A Settlement finally made at Jamestown. 

Soon after the discovery of America, Europe was convulsed by tlie 
Reformation and by the religious wars and troubles to which it gave 
rise. 

France was the scene of a terrible strife, in which Catholic and Pro- 
testant contended for the mastery. At the head of the Protestant or 
Huguenot party was the able Caspar de Coligny, Admiral of France. 

In one of the moments of peace during this war, he resolved to 
plant a colony in America that might afford a refuge for those of his 
faith, if in the doubtful struggle before them, they should be worsted. 

Charles IX., who esteemed Coligny, favored his project; and the 
Admiral selected for its execution John Ribaut, of Dieppe, an experi- 
enced navigator and brave man. Many gathered to join the expedition, 
but as usually happened, few fitted for such an undertaking. Ribaut 

sailed from Dieppe on the iSth of February, 1562, in two roberges, a 

156 



MUTINY, PIRACY AND CANNIBALISM. I57 

kind of small vessel. A low, well-wooded point, at Matanzas inlet on 
the Florida coast, was the first land made, but he ran along till he came 
to a beautiful bay, to which he gave the name it still bears. Port Royal. 
Here, on the 20th of May, amid tlie moss-draped oaks, which had 
grown for centuries, the towering pines, the fragrant flowers, he planted 
— probably on Parris Island — a stone carved with the arms of France, 
and took possession of the new land. 

He then threw up Charlesfort, so named in honor of Charles IX., 
probably near what is now called Archer's creek, not far from Beau- 
fort. Here Ribaut left twenty-six men, under Albert de la Pierria, 
and then sailed back to report how attractive a land they had found. 
These men for a time enjoyed their new life, but they were indis- 
posed to work, their commander was harsh and incompetent. They 
finally mutinied and killed him, then put to sea in a wretched boat 
which they built. On the ocean their provisions were soon exhausted, 
and they had devoured one of their number to save the rest, when 
an English ship picked them up. 

Coligny did not despair. In 1564 he sent out Laudonniere with three 
ships, which in June, 1564, reached the mouth of the St. John's. Here 
Laudonniere erected a triangular fort of earth, called Fort Caroline, 
eighteen miles up the river. The country was beautiful and attractive, 
but the settlers were ill chosen. There was no order, no industry, no 
religious worship, nothing to mark a well-regulated colony. They de- 
pended on the natives for food, and to obtain it they used entreaty, 
stratagem, and even force. Some mutinied, and compelled Laudon- 
niere to sign an order permitting them to depart. Then they equipped 
two vessels, and set out to cruise as pirates against the Spaniards. 
This sealed the doom of the colony. 



Ill 



158 THE KIND-HEARTED SLAVE MERCHANT. 

Spain had viewed with jealous fear all attempts to settle Florida. If' 
Her commerce already suffered from cruisers which ran out from port 
of England and France, sometimes recognized by the Governments, I"' 
sometimes mere pirates. If either of these nations got a foothold in 
Florida, so near the route of all the rich ships from Mexico, the Span- 
iards would be ruined. They took alarm at Cartier's colony, distant as W 
it was ; the present attempt was one they resolved to put down, more 
especially as it already assumed in their eyes a piratical character. 

There was then in Spain a brave man bowed down by heavy 
grief, a naval commander full of energy and resolution. He sought 
from King- PhilijD H. permission to sail for Florida to seek his son 
whose vessel had been wrecked on that dangerous coast, but whom 
he hoped to find still alive. 

It was proposed to him to conquer Florida, and when news came 
of Ribaut's colony, to root out the French. He sailed in Jul}', 1565, 
with a large fleet, but arrived almost alone at Porto Rico, his vessels i 
having been scattered in a storm. With his usual promptness he 
resolved not to wait for the other vessels but kept on to Florida, 
makinsf the coast on the 28th of August. A fine haven that he 
found he named St. Augustine, but he only reconnoitered it at this 
moment. Then he coasted alonof lookino- for the French. 

Laudonniere's colony had gone on from bad to worse. Starvation 
stared them in the face, when one day Sir John Hawkins, the slave 
merchant, entered their harbor and not only liberally relieved their dis- 
tress, but sold them a vessel in which to leave Florida. While all were 
preparing for the voyage, sails were again descried, and ere long the flag j 
of France floating to the breeze cheered every heart. Ribaut had ar 
rived on the 28th of August with seven ships bearing settlers and sup- 



1 



THE FIRST PERMANENT SETTLEMENT. 159 

plies. His vessels rode at anchor before the fort, as Melendez bore 
down in the San Pelayo, with four other ships of his squadron. His 
reply to the French hail was stern and plain, terrible and cruel. " I 
am Pedro Melendez, of Spain, with strict orders that I cannot dis- 
obey : every Catholic I will spare, every Protestant shall die." The 
French ships, unprepared for action, cut their cables and stood out 
to sea. Melendez gave chase, but failing to overtake them, returned 
to St. Augustine. There two of his of^cers were already landing 
guns, stores, and troops, founding the first permanent settlement on 
our soil, our oldest city, St. Augustine. Aware that a decisive struggle 
must now take place, Melendez pushed on the works to put himself 
in a position of defense in case of attack. And he acted wisely. 

By the bedside of Laudonniere, then sick, the French had held 
their council. Ribaut, aa^ainst the will of Loudonniere, determined 
to take all the best of his force on the ships, and sail down to St. 
Augustine, so as by a bold attack to crush Melendez and his new 
colony. He sailed, leaving Laudonniere sick, with a half-ruined fort 
and a motley collection to defend it. 

On the morning of the iith, Melendez saw that the French were 
upon him. OfY the harbor were Ribaut's ships, black with men. He 
must fight now, not the unprepared fleet of the first day, but Ribaut, 
eager and ready. While his men appealed to heaven to save them, 
the experienced Spanish sea-captain scanned the heavens. There 
he read a coming tempest, and ere long he felt that St. Augustine 
was safe, as he saw the French ships wrestling with the hurricane. 
His own action was prompt. The French fort was clearly left un- 
guarded. In spite of remonstrance and almost a mutiny, he marched 
with a good force overland, wading breast-high through everglade 



l6o FORT CAROLINE TAKEN BY SPANIARDS. 

and morass, swarming with alligator and serpent, from St. Augustine 
to the St. John's, and on the morning of the 21st of September he 
burst into Fort Caroline during a driving rain. The Spaniards cut 
down all before them without mercy. Before Melendez gave the order 
to spare the women and children, at least a hundred of the French 
had fallen. Seventy were spared : Laudonniere, with a few others, 
reached the French vessels that had remained in the harbor. The 
sun rose on a scene of horror, and lit up the Spanish flag floating 
above the fort. Leaving a garrison, Melendez returned to St. 
Augustine. 

It was subsequently charged that he hung his prisoners to trees, 
with an inscription : " I do this not as to Frenchmen, but as to here- 
tics," but the story is of a later date. 

Melendez had returned in triumph to St. Augustine, when one 
day Indians came to announce that a French ship had been wrecked , 
to the southward, and that the men were unable to cross an arm 
of the sea. Melendez hastened down. It was one of Ribaut's vessels. 
The cruel Spaniard gave dubious words : the starving French sur- 
rendered, and were butchered in cold blood. Again tidings came of 
another and larger party. This was Ribaut himself, and those who 
had been in his ship. The French commander in vain endeavored to 
make terms. He and his whole force surrendered, and they too were 
butchered. A few, wrecked near Cape Canaveral, were spared, 
but the French colony in Florida was utterly extirpated, and Spain 
held the land for centuries. 

France was filled with indignation at the cruel massacre, but the 
King sought no redress. One man, Dominic de Gourgues, resolved 
to avenge Ribaut. Obtaining a commission to proceed to the coast 



"THE FRENCH ARE COMING ! " l6l 

of Africa, he sailed tliere, and after a fight with the Portuguese and 
some negro tribes, took in, it would seem, his cargo of slaves, and 
sailed to Cuba. There he announced to his men his purpose to attack 
the Spanish fort on the St. John's. His proposal was received with joy. 
He soon was off the harbor, and running up the coast, landed. 
The Indians came flocking to the French flag. Saturiva, a chief, 
readily joined him to attack the Spaniards, whom he hated. 

The force of French and Indians was soon on the march. Through 

the fragrant woods of Florida, with the beautiful magnolia and the 

live-oak, where birds of strange hue and all the denizens of the 

swamps met the eyes of the French, they plodded steadily on, if the 

] story is at all true. A small Spanish outpost lay north of the St. 

1 John's. It was carried by storm. 

I Then the Indians swam across the St. John's, and the French, open- 
I ing a cannonade across it, passed over in a single boat. A second 
i post was soon taken. 

All was now alarm at the Spanish fort San Matheo. The cry, 
" The French are coming," thrilled through every heart. But the 
I commander resolved to hold his ground. A party was sent out. 
J It was surrounded and cut to pieces. Then the Spaniards attempted 
I to escape by flight. The woods swarmed with red men, and every 
1 Spaniard was killed or taken. 

The victorious French leader then hung his prisoners on trees, 
with this ins( ription : " I do this not as to Spaniards, but as to 
traitors, robbrrs, and murderers." 

Such is the story of De Gourgues' vengeance, about which there 
is some doub*;. 

Amid all this bloody work the city of St. Augustine was founded. 



1 62 TROUBLES AT ST. AUGUSTINE. 

and still stands, a venerable place indeed ; with an ancient fort, 
barracks that were once a convent, and everything to recall other 
times and another land. 

The foundations of St. Augustine were laid amid the din of arms 
and warlike operations by sea and land. A fort was thrown up, 
hastily at first, in September, 1565, but when all danger from the 
French had passed, another was erected on the bar, and the city 
begun in more regular form, Bartholomew Menendez being the first 
alcalde. All the settlers were divided into squads, and required to 
work on the buildings three hours in the morning, and as long in the 
evening. Thus was St. Aucrustine built. 

Peter Melendez, the governer, had meanwhile sailed to Havana 
to collect his scattered fleet. As the ships arrived, he sent aid to his 
establishments in Florida, and setting out with several vessels, ex- 
plored the coast, seeking in vain for any trace of his son. He 
entered into friendly relations with the cruel and powerful chiefs of 
Is and Carlos, and rescued a number of Spaniards, men and women, 
who had been wrecked on the coast, where the Indians sacrificed one 
every year to their gods. 

But troubles had arisen at St. Augustine and St. Matheo. Mutinies 
broke out, and for a time, while the alcalde was among the Indians, 
the insurgents held both places, but they were at last reduced. They 
had, however, roused the Indians to war by their cruelty, and St. 
Augustine was soon surrounded by hostile natives, who refused any 
longer to sell the settlers provisions, and cut off all who left the 
towns. Among those who fell was Captain Martin de Ochoa, the 
bravest man in the colony, who was taken in an ambuscade. Em- 
boldened by success, the Indians, gliding up by night, killed two 



I 



THE ALCALDE RESTORES ORDER. 163 

sentinels on the walls of the fort, and startled the astonished Span- 
iards by showers of fiery arrows, with which they succeeded in set- 
ting fire to the palmetto thatch on the store-house, which was de- 
stroyed with all the munitions, provisions, and clothing it contained. 
The conflagration spread to the dwellings, and all was dismay and 
alarm in the little town. In vain, even by day, did the Spaniards 
seek to drive them off. The Indians, lurking in the tall grass, 
watched them fire, and then, cjlidina: along on the ground like snakes, 

* '000 •-> 

sent their arrows witli terrible aim. 

Melendez, hearing of all these troubles, returned to St. Augustine, 
restored order, quieted the Indians, and suppressed the mutinies. He 
then sailed up to St. Helena Sound, which you will see on the map 
of South Carolina. There he built Fort St. Philip, leaving Stephen 
de Alas in command, with one hundred and ten men. He had thus 
explored the coast from the Florida capes to South Carolina ; but he 
did not rest even then. He ascended the St. John's River and sent 
expeditions and missionaries up even into Chesapeake Bay, where, 
as early as 1570, a log-chapel was reared on the soil of Virginia. 

It seemed as if the whole coast was to become a colony of Spain. 
But this man of energy was not to be long in Florida. Returning 
to Spain, he was appointed by the king to command the Invincible 
Armada for the invasion of England, and died in 1574, just as he 
was about to sail with it. 

With his death the interest in Florida declined ; the settlements 
were confined to the part now known as Florida. There the Span- 
iards soon, by means of zealous missionaries, gained the Timuquan 
and Apalache Indians, although many of those devoted men lost 
their lives in this good work. 



164 ZEALOUS MISSIONARIES TO THE INDIANS. 

"For years St. Augustine remained the only European settlement 
within the present United States. It was the headquarters of mis- 
sionary effort. The Franciscans, Dominicans and Jesuits toiled like 
apostles among the wild dusky children of the everglades. Many 
watered the soil of Florida with their blood. Not a few were scalped 
and eaten by the Indians. 

" The priests who had chosen to accompany INIelendez though they 
all did not sail or arrive in Florida, were eleven Franciscans, one 
father of the Order of Mercy, a secular priest and eight Jesuits. 
The superior of the latter was Father Peter Martinez, a native of 
Fernel in the nortli of Spain. Owing to an unexpected delay these 
fathers did not sail with the admiral, but took passage several 
months later in another expedition. Father Martinez was killed 
by hostile Indians in 1566, the first Jesuit to set foot on American 

M " 
SOU. 

In 1586, Sir Francis Drake, who had planted the flag of Queen 
Elizabeth in California, identified his name with Florida. About 
the 1st of June he appeared before the harbor of St. Augustine. 
At the outer fort the garrison, after firing a few volleys at his ships, 
retreated to the town. Drake took possession of the Fort St. John, 
and advanced in his boats to St. Augustine. The garrison was only 
one hundred and fifty strong, and these, with the inhabitants, re- 
treated, abandoning the town to Drake, who set it on fire ; and the first 
American city, with its neat town-hall, church, and other buildings, 
was entirely destroyed, and the fine gardens around it laid waste. 
Drake then sailed on to destroy Fort St. Philip, but ran into Caro- 
lina and relieved Raleigh's colony. The Spaniards returned to their 
ruined city, and with help from Havana soon rebuilt it. 



THE APALACHES AND THE APALACHICOLAS. 1 65 

Of the subsequent history of Florida we need say little until the 
period when it became part of the United States. 

In 1638 the Apalaches declared war, and advanced to the very 
gates of St. Augustine, but the Spaniards finally reduced them, and com- 
pelled them to furnish a number of men to labor on the public works. 
Another Indian war broke out in 1687, in which the Apalachicolas 
and Creeks rose in rebellion because the Spaniards wished to remove 
them from their towns to another district. 

Many Indians at this time retired to the English colon}- of South 
Carolina, and the Yamassees not only did so, but became a scourge 
to Florida, sacking and burning the settlements and missions. 
I The Spanish government, to keep off other nations on the Gulf, 
founded Pensacola in 1693, Imt France and England hemmed her, in 
and by frequent invasions destroyed the Indian towns, or drew off 
the people, so that Florida became an insignificant colony. 

England was not indifferent to America. Elizabeth had made her 
kingdom powerful on the sea. She had defied Spain ; she too, like 
the Kings of France and Spain, could give away with her pen realms 
in America. One day her favorite. Sir Humphrey Gilbert, inflamed 
by Frobisher's discoveries at the North, and Sir Francis Drake's 
exploration of our Pacific shore up to Oregon, asked of the great 
queen a patent. It was freely granted, and extensive territories were 
assigned to him. But he did not live ti establish a colony. His 
end was sad. 

He sailed to America in a fleet, but disasters overtook him. His 
largest ship was wrecked. The brave Sir Humphrey was returning 
in the Squirrel, a little bark of only ten tons burden, when terrible 
storms came on. No one who had been at sea had ever met with 



1 66 FIRST ENGLISH COLONY IN AMERICA. 

such mountain waves or fierce wind. Every moment seemed the 
last, but Sir Humphrej", seated cahnly on his deck, called out to those 
ou his other vessel, the Hind : " We are as near to heaven by sea as 
bv land." Tliev were the last words of the brave old sailor. During; 
the night the lights of the Squirrel suddenly disappeared. She had 
sunk with all ou board. 

His half-brother, the brilliant and unfortunate Sir Walter Raleigh, 
obtained a patent as ample as Sir Humphrey's. 

One summer day in July, 1584, two English ships lay to off the 
coast of North Carolina. The land-breeze came off rich with the 
perfume of flowers and spicy odors. The sk}' and sea were calm. 
All entrance was easily found for the ships, and the natives on 
Wocoken Island sprang up in wonder to see the great canoes come 
bearing on towards their shore. From the anchored vessels came 
boats of richly-clad laeii. The arms of England were set up, and 
they gazed in wonder on the rich vegetation, the clustering grape- 
vines, the forests, from which such flocks of birds arose as to deafen 
with their cries. The timid natives welcomed them. 

Returning, full of sanguine hopes, the explorers induced Raleigh 
to send out a colony. Sir Richard Grenville brought out settlers 
under Lane to occupy Roanoke Island. They did not understand 
how to begin : they burned an Indian village, they treacherously 
killed Wingina, a native chieftain or king. The prospect now grew 
dark ; an ominous cloud was gathering. The colonists, who had not 
labored to cultivate the soil, saw nothing but destruction. 

To their delight they one day beheld ships entering, which by their 
build and by their flags were recognized as English. Sir Francis 
Drake, cruising along, stopped in to visit his friends. He found 



FIRST TOBACCO AND POTATOES IN EUROPE. 167 

them lU despair, and taking all on board, hoisted sail for Eng- 
land. 

Twice more did Raleigli attempt to colonize North Carolina. Each 
time the colonists, left unprovided, perished by the hands of the 
red men. The State commemorates his efforts by giving his name 
to her capital. 

By Raleigh's efforts England gained only a knowledge of three 
American plants, Indian corn, potatoes, and tobacco. 

Sir Walter Raleigh acquired a taste for tobacco, and often in his 
hours of relaxation solaced himself by smoking in the Indian fashion. 
The story is told that one day, having sent his servant for a pitcher 
of water, and lighted his pipe in the mean time, the poor faithful 
fellow, when he returned, seeing his master enveloped in smoke, 
supposed him on fire, and dashed the contents of his pitcher over him, 
rousing Sir Walter from his reverie in rather an astonished attitude. 

The potatoes he is said to have given to his gardener at Youghal, 
Ireland. The man looked at them, smelt them, and bit them, on 
the whole regarding them with great contempt, and, when he did 
plant them, put them in an out-of-the-way place, bestowing no care 
whatever on his master's American plants. The neglected potato 
put out its shoots, but even its purple blossom did not win it favor. 
At last, at the proper time, Sir Walter ordered the man to dig them 
up. He obeyed joyfully, but was soon amazed at the multiplicity 
.of the roots. His astonishment grew when his master ordered them 
to be boiled, and it was not till he had eaten one that he began to 
look on the potato with favor. 

It was soon cultivated extensively in Ireland, and thence intro- 
duced into England and other parts. From the fact that it was cul- 



l68 FIRST PERMANENT ENGLISH SETTLEMENT. 

tivated first in Ireland, it is sometimes called, even in this, its native 
country, the Irish potato. 

A number of men in England now took up the idea of a colony 
in America. Several of then: were men of experience, who knew 
enough about America to cany out their plans successfully. King 
James gave them an ample Patent in 1606, and two companies were 
formed. The London Company, which obtained all the territory 
between the thirty-fonrtli and thirty-eighth degree, soon set to work. 

On the 26th of April a little fleet of three vessels, under the 
English flag, entered the capes and anchored in Chesapeake Bay, 
naming the capes, in honor of the King's sons, Charles and Henry.' 
The whole land seemed wonderfully attractive. After some deliber- 
ation they ascended the James River, and landed fifty miles from 
its mouth to lay the foundations of Jamestown, named, like the 
river, in honor of the King. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Permanent Settlements of England .inri France — Virginia settled at Jamestown — Early Visits 
of the Spaniards to the Chesapeake — Poniiatan's Tribe — Captain John Smith — Argall — 
Pocaliontas, lier Marriage and Death — First Legislature in America — Wliat Jamestown 
resembled — Opechancanougli's War and Massacre — The Company suppressed — Virginia a 
Royal Colony — Tlie People — Spain settles New Mexico — The French in Acadia — Jesuits 
in Maine — Romance of La Tour — Madame La Tour — Wars with New England — Acadia 
conquered, becomes Nova Scotia — Quebec founded by Champlain — His Adventurous Career 
— Character of the Colony — Wars witli the Iroquois — Pieskaret — Montreal — Lambert Closse, 
the Indian Fighter — The French at Onondaga. 

Newport's vessels, the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery, 
driven bj' a fortunate storm beyond the North Carolina coast, where 
Raleigh had attempted te plant a colony, had sailed into the mag- 



JESUIT MISSIONARIES MURDERED. 1 69 

nifieent bay which still retains its Indian name, Chesapeake. The 
English gazed around with thankfulness and wonder, and called the 
point where thev first anchored, Point Comfort. There are few 
more beautiful bays : rivers, many of them navigable for miles, 
pour their volume of water into this sheet, which, with its picturesque 
banks, its charming islands teeming with wild fowl, its rich verdure, 
might justify the expression of one of the new colony, that heaven 
and earth seem never to have agreed better to frame a place for 
man's commodious and delightful habitation. 

They were not, however, the first to visit this delightful bay. 

As early as 1540 some Spanish navigator anchored within tlie capes, 

and gave the bay which opened so gloriously on his view the name 

of St. Mary's Bay, whicli it long bore in Spanish maps. Soon after 

Melendez settled Florida, Father Segura, with a band of Jesuit 

missionaries, led by a native Virginian, who, taken to Spain, had 

pretended to be a sincere convert to Christianity, penetrated far up 

the Potomac, but were lured into the wilderness only to be ruth- 

I lessly murdered, and the whole party of zealous missionaries perished. 

j Melendez then sent ships to punish the murderers, and Spanish 

! vessels thus woke with the thunders of their artillery the shores of 

I the Potomac. The cruel tribe fled from the river southward, and 

j settled on the James. 

j When the English colony advanced up the James River to a spot 
fifty miles from its mouth, this tribe was ruled by Powhatan, who 
', dwelt in savage grandeur on the Paraunkey River The settlers 
I for the new colon}' were, as usual, badly selected. There were 
more men to play gentlemen than to fell trees, clear and dig the 
! ground, and put up houses. The queer King of England, James I., 



I 70 THE INDIAN'S BEGIN HOSTILITIES. 

had given them plenty of laws, and on arriving the Council chose 
lulward Maria Wingliekl president. The most prominent man in 
I he colony, and the man best litted to aid, was Captain John 
Smith. They were so jealous of him that they expelled him from 
the Council. Smith was a man who had seen much of the world. 
Ue had been in Holland's war for freedom : in the wars against the 
Turks, where he fought like a hero ; he had been a prisoner in their 
hands, and escaped in a romantic manner. He was full of energy 
and resource. 

Those in command at once commenced to erect a fort on a tree- 
clad peninsula, which at high tide was a perfect island. This fortifi- 
cation was triangular in form, with a half-moon at each angle, and 
from its log-walls four or five cannons frowned on the natives. 

While the men were busy felling trees and squaring timber for 
this work, Newport, with part of the company, ran up the river to 
the falls, where they found a white boy, supposed to be the child of 
members of Raleigh's unfortunate colony. 

But even in this brief space the Indians began hostilities. On the 
2Cth of May, 1607, the men working on the fort were startled by an 
ui! expected spectacle. The river seemed alive with canoes ; the red 
men, in all their war-paint, with cries and yells that struck terror to 
the hearts of the new-comers, surrounded their island. Wingfield, 
foremost in danger, at last drove the assailants off l)y means of his 
cannon, but not till twelve of the colonists were killed or wounded. 

Then the fort was completed with all haste, and the settlers began 
to feel more secure ; but the neighboring marshes bred diseases that 
swept off many ; until winter came witii its wild-fowl and abundance 
of game. Then Smith started out to explore. Wingfield was deposed. 



A VERY PRETTY PICTURE-STORY. I /I 

One object of the Company in England was to find a stream leading 
to till' Paciiic. Gomez, who visited the coast at an earl}- day, con- 
vinced the Spaniards that there was no such passage. As we now 
know the geography of the continent, it seems very amusing to think 
that Smith ascended the Chickahominy River to see whether it was 
a short cut to China. 

Leaving his boat in charge of two men he struck inland. But 
his men disobeyed his instructions, and the crafty red men waylaid 
and slew them. 

Smith was soon a prisoner in tlie hands of hostile Indians. Full 
of resources, he drew out his pocket-compass, and its wonders made 
(hem regard him with awe. He was allowed to send a note to the 
new fort, but was led in triumph from the villages on the Chickahominy 
to the Indian villages on the Rappahannock and Potomac, and soon 
through other towns. 

A very pretty story is told by Smith in his later books, that 
people now begin to doubt ver}' nuich. Smith was at last brought 
before Powhatan at Pamunkey. Seated on his mat-bed, with a 
favorite wife on each side, surrounded by his gravest Sachems, this 
Indian monarch received Smith as a distinguished prisoner. Water 
was brought to him, and a feather fan to wipe his face and hands 
upon, but the council held, doomed to death the stranger who came 
spying into their land. The warriors, ready to avenge on him their 
repulse at Jamestown, panted for his blood. He was led forth to 
a stone, and a stalwart brave swung aloft the heavy stone hatchet 
that was to crush his head. At this moment, Pocahontas, the daughter 
of this Indian monarch, who had been watching breathlessly the [tro- 
ceedings, hoping that her father would relent, and spare one for 



172 THE FIRST WOMEN IN THE COLONY. 

whom she felt all the childish attachment that a girl of twelve vou'ia 
cutertain for one who had always shown her a kindly interest, spran" 
forward and threw her arms around the neck of the doomed white pri- 
soner, shielding him by her own bodj'. Tiie executioner paused, the 
chieftain looked sternly at the group, but his daughter's words of appeal 
changed his decision. Smith was saved, and sent back in safety tO' 
Jamestown. 

Such is the tale that is told in all lands, and shown in picture 
and statue. 

Smith found the colony reduced to forty men : he attempted to 
introduce order, and then, in a voyage of three months, sailed all 
around Chesapeake Bay, thoroughly exploring it, ascending many 
of the rivers flowing into it, meeting Indians of various tribes, and 
struck most of all by the gigantic Conestogas, wlio came down the 
Susquehanna. His map is one of the best monuments to his fame. 

On his return he became President of the Council, and as new 
emigrants came in, including two women, the first seen in the colony, 
he enforced industry and established order. Like Melendez at Si. 
Augustine, he required six hours' labor from all. Virginia was noi. 
however, long to enjoy his services. An explosion of gunpowder burnt 
his hand so seriously as to defy the skill of the colony physician: 
lie sailed to Europe to secure better treatment for his wound, ana 
never returned, although he continued to take a deep interest in the 
welfare of the colony, and did more by his wa-itings than any other 
to make it known. 

He had no influence at court, no noble friends. Eminently fitted 
as he was to explore a new country and to manage a new settlement, 
much as he had done for Virginia, he received no royal grant he 



THE "STARVING TIME IN VIRGINIA. 1 73 

did not even obtain the deed of the lands he cleared or the house he 
built. 

Before Smith sailed, great changes had been made in England in 
regard to Virginia affairs. The London Company solicited and 
obtained a new Charter from the King. By this document, issued 
June 2, 1009, the monarch granted to them all the coast for. two 
hundred miles north and south of James River, with power to appoint 
a governor. They induced a good and upright nobleman, Thomas, 
Lord De la Ware, to accept for life the ofifice of Governor and 
Captain-Greneral of Yirginia. 

A fresh impulse was given. Nine ships, under Newport, carrying 
more than five hundred emigrants, sailed from England, bearing Sir 
Thomas Gates as deputy of the Governor. But only seven ships 
ran through the hurricane, and reached the James River. Gates' 
vessel stranded on the rocks of Bermuda, so that the new-comers, 
with little respect for the authorities in Virginia, caused much 
trouble. 

With Smith's departure almost all semblance of government ceased. 
Labor was neglected, provisions were wastefully consumed, the Indians 
were provoked so that they refused all aid. Then came the famous 
" Starving Time " of Virginia annals. Famine, disease, and war 
ravaged the settlement. Some took to the sea as pirates. Of the 
five hundred left by Smith there remained in six months only sixty. 

When Gates anchored before Jamestown with two rude vessels 
built in Bermuda, these spectral men, worn by famine, sickness, and 
anxiety, came out to implore him to take them from the fixted 
place, looking like the ruins of some ancient town — houses pulled down 
for firewood ; the blockhouse the sole refuge of the wretched remnant 



174 JAMESTOWN DESTROYED AND RESTORED. 

of the hundreds who had settled there. All their stock, horses, swine, 
poultry, had long since been devoured. 

Gates was appalled. There was but one voice, and that was to 
leave the spot. But he would not burn it, as some desired. Firing 
a parting salute, they all sailed down the river on the 7th of June. 

Jamestown was abandoned. 

In Hampton Eoads they saw in the horizon the gleam of sails. 
Lord De la Ware had come with another band of emigrants and 
supplies. He restored their hopes, and that night Jamestown was 
again a busy settlement. 

Lord De la "Ware showed great ability, and the settlement began 
to prosper. Emigrants poured in with abundant supplies, cattle and 
live stock ; agriculture was encouraged. Jamestown was no longer a 
mere garrison. Each settler received an allowance of land in fee 
to improve for his own benefit, and a new settlement was begun at 
Henrico in IGll. 

Ill health soon compelled the good Governor to retire, but Vir- 
ginia prospered under the strict rule of Sir Thomas Gates and Sir 
Thomas Dale. 

Samuel Argall, an unprincipled man, who plays an important part 
in Virginia historj'', well-nigh involved the colony in an Indian war. 
Pocahontas had on many occasions shown her friendship for the 
English, but Argall used a treacherous Indian woman to entice 
Powhatan's daughter into his vessel, and then detained her as a 
prisoner. This captivity of Pocahontas had a romantic issue. She 
was received at Jamestown with respect, and while negotiations were 
in progress with her father, a young gentleman, John Rolfe, already 
remarkable as the first planter of tobacco in Virginia, was greatly 



THE BRIDAL OF THE ROYAL CAPTIVE. I 75 

struck by the amiable qualities of the Indian girl. He soon after 
"Iti-oposed uiarriuge, and she accepted. After instruction b}' the clergy- 
man of the colon}', she was baptized and married with her father's 
consent, her uncle, Opechaucanough, attending to give the bride away 
The colony gathered into the little church tu witness the spectacle ■, 
the ])lanter, still young, full of ?nergy, high-minded and graceful, 
attired in tlie picturesque dress of gentlemen of that day ; the bride, 
beautiful as the wild deer of her forests, arrayed by the hands of the 
English women in tlieir dress, full of wonder at the strange ceremonial, 
full of trust in her chosen husband. It was a day of joy to both 
white and red man throughout the lantl of Virginia, and is handed 
down as one of the great events of history in the paintings on the 
walls of the Capitol. 

It is sad to thiniv that her life was so brief She sailed to England 
ffith her husband, and was received with all honor ; but sickening 
there, died before she could return to America. 

There was now at last an English settlement on the American coast 
<hat was destined to succeed. We can picture to ourselves what 
Jamestown was. Not a city of marble palaces and well-paved and 
lighted streets. 

In the woods that covered the beautiful and fertile island, for island 
it was at times, a good space had been cleared by the vigorous arms 
©f the settlers, and amid the fields, where corn and tobacco were 
growing beside wheat and other European grains, stood the little 
town. Two fair rows of houses lined its street, all of framed timbei's, 
two stories high, with a good garret. The public buildings were 
three large and substantial store-houses, and the neat wooden church. 
A.round all vvas a good stoui palisade, and at the west, on a platform, 



1/6 A MEMORABLE DAY FOR AMERICA. 

i-aniion were planted to prevent any sudden invasion by liostili^ 
Indians. Outside of this palisade farm-houses and some finer dwell- 
ings were scattered in attractive spots, and for their protection there 
were two block-houses, where sentinels kept watch that no Indian 
war party swam over to the island, to steal unawares on the settlers 
while at work in the fields or straying in the woods. 

We cannot follow all the course of historj' : how Virginia flourished 
under good Governor Yeardley, and how it suffered under such men 
as Argall, who, after his treachery to Pocahontas, destroyed and robbed 
French settlements in Maine and Nova Scotia, and then became Deputy 
Grovernor of Virginia, to crush the colony by his tyranny and vexation. 

The worst of such bad men in colonial times was that they were 
unjust to the Indians, and provoked them to war, in which the 
innocent settlers suffered. 

Hitherto the colony had been governed in England, and the people 
had no voice in making the laws under which they lived. This 
could not last. A chance came. Fridaj', the 30th day of July, 
1619, was a memorable day for America. On that day, in the chancel 
of the church at Jamestown, gathered tw^entA'-two burgesses, repre^ 
senting the different settlements. The minister, Mr. Buck, opened 
the proceedings with prayer, and all retired to the body of the church. 
Then each advanced, was sworn in bj' Governor Yeardley. and took 
his seat. They elected John Pory Speaker, and he took his place 
in front of the Governor. The laws of this first Legislature were 
wise, seeking to restrain evil, to advance education, and to encourage 
industry and piety. 

Powhatan had remained constantly friendly to the English, but he 
died in 1618, and his influence over the Indian tribes fell to Ope- 



THE MURDEROUS PLOT REVEALED. 1 77 

chaacanough. This Sachem was a dark, resentful man ; he never 
forgot a wrong, and was insensible to kindness. The English, to 
honor him, had built him a house in the European irtyle, with doors 
and windows, locks and keys. He was as delighted with it as a child 
with a toy, and kept locking and unlocking the doors for hours with 
evident delight. He professed the warmest friendship. A turbulent 
and troublesome Indian was killed in some affray, and the authorities 
at once sent to Opechancanough to explain the matter. He was 
satisfied that the Indian was in fault, and declared that he v,^as glad 
to be rid of him. He said that the sk}- would fall sooner than he 
would break the peace with the white people. Yet he was plotting 
a general massacre. The Indians came and went into the houses 
of the settlers, without arms or anything to excite suspicion. They 
brought in game, deer, turkeys, fish, and furs to sell. On the night 
of the 21st of March there were Indians at many houses, and the 
planters urged them to stay, giving them food and lodging., 

A- man named Pace had an Indian living with him, and another 
Indian came in. He soon disclosed to the other the projected mas- 
sacre. "Watching his opportunity, this true-hearted fellow crept 
silenth" away. Pace, roused from his sleep, saw the dusky form 
beside him. A whisper of caution, and the whole plot was revealed 
j to him. He sprang to his feet, and dressing in haste, stole down to 
I the river, and sped away in the darkness in his boat to Jamestown. 
j The little town soon turned night into dav'. All was stir and excite- 
'< ment as messengers darted off to give alarm. 

I Day broke before the distant plantations could be warned. Men 
j sat down to breakfast with their Indian guests, who were watching 
! the moment. Then they sprang for the planters' arms and began 



,N 



178 THE FEARFUL INDIAN MASSACRE. 

cutting down young and old. Some rushed from their houses to 
escape, but the savages were on their track with ferocious A-ells auil 
blood-stained weapons, and in every direction they saw similar sights. 
till the\' at last sank down, tomahawked or shot. In a few hours 
on that sad spring Friday, three hundred and forty-seven men, 
women, and children were slain by their firesides with their own 
weapons, and their mutilated bodies left on the ground. 

For a moment all was terror and alarm in Virginia. The enemy 
had fled, but the settlers crowded to Jamestown and the other forts ; 
some hastened to embark for England. But as soon as the panic- 
was over, they prepared for a war of extermination on the Indians. 

There was no chance of bringing them to battle, so the settlera 
adopted the Indian plan. The Indians of Virginia were all of thc- 
Algonquin race, cultivating little ground, living chiefly by fishing- 
and hunting, and they were accordingly much scattered. They had 
no large palisaded towns, but occupied little hamlets in parties of 
fifty or more. On these the settlers would steal as silentlj' as Indians. 
With a ringing hurrah they would dash in on them, cutting down some, 
and if the rest escaped, it was only to behold from their lurking- 
place their houses, nets, canoes, crops, given to the flames. Blood- 
hounds were imported to track the fugitives through the woods, and 
it became a part of Virginia law that no peace should be made with 
the Indians. The red man soon had reason to curse the treacherous 
course of Opechancanough. 

King James I. made this massacre & pretext for dissolving the 
Company under which Virginia had been settled and governed down 
to this time. He laid all misfortunes at their door. He deprived 
them of their Charter, and made Virginia a royal colony. Governors 



I 



VIRGINIA AND THE ENGLISH COMMONWEALTH. I 79 

.■were now to be appointed by the Crown. The planters took alarm. 
At every settlement meetings were held, and by general agreement 
ao'cnts were sent to England to claim that nnder the new arrange- 
ment the people should retain their Assemblies and make their own 
laws. The State that was to produce a Washington, a Jefferson, 
' and a Patrick Heniy, was thus early jealous of its rights. 

James yielded reluctantly ; but his Governors were carefully watched 
';by the Virginians, and one of them. Governor Harvey, falling under 
■suspicion, was forced to leave the countrj'. 

In the reign of Charles I., Virginia was administered b}' Sir William 
Berkeley, an able Governor, who restored peace and harmony, and 
,'|S0 won Virginia to the royal cause, that it was the last English 
■possession that submitted to Parliament. When it did yield, it did 
;iSO almost as an independent power. The Virginians would not allow 
{Cromwell to appoint a Governor ; they elected their own Governors 
'('during the whole period of the Protectorate, and enjoyed free trade 
with the world. 

Thus was Virginia settled and thus it grew — men attached to the 
JCrown and Church of England, but still more attached to their 
liberty. 

We have thus seen Spain and England succeed in planting colonies 
on our coast. Spain had penetrated to New Mexico, and John de 
Onate finally succeeded in founding San Gabriel, and soon after 
Santa F6, and missionaries began to convert to Christianity the half- 
civilized natives who are known now as Pueblo Indians. 

But in 1644 a general revolt of the red men took place. They 
killed the Governor and missionaries, with many of the Spaniards, 
only one town escaping. The Spaniards, however, soon recovered 

I 
( 



111 



I So NEW FRANCE AND ITS VAST EXTENT. 

the country, and held it till Mexico became free. It formed part 
of that Eepublic till it was ceded to t-he United States by the Treaty 
of (juadalupe Hidalgo. 

But while Spain and England were thus gaining a foothold in our 
territory, another European power succeeded in planting a colony 
at the north, which was long to contend with the English colonies 
for the mastery in North America. This was France. We have 
seen how Cartier explored the St. Lawrence ; how Coligny, during 
the wars of religion, attempted to settle Florida. 

Though France failed in her first efforts to plant a settlement in 
North America, she did not abandon the project. Her sons were 
hard}', bold, adventurous, and at last they succeeded in laying the 
foundation of a colony which for man}' years disputed with those 
of England the control of our continent. 

Under the name of New France it extended from the Kennebec 
to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and west to Lake Superior and the 
Valley of the Mississippi. 

Roberval obtained a Patent of vast extent. This passed through 
^several hands, and occasional attempts were made to settle, all of 
;vhich proved unsuccessful. 

Li 1G03, a man of clear head and great energy, Peter du Guast, Sieur 
de Monts, became Lieutenant-General and Yice-Admiral of all the 
country between the fortieth and forty-sixth degrees of latitude. This 
Huguenot gentleman is the real father of French colonization. During 
the stormy month of March he put to sea in two vessels, accompanied 
by Samuel de Champlain, an experienced naval man, who had just, 
following Cartier's route, ascended the St. Lawrence to the i-apids. 
After coasting along Nova Scotia, they entered Passamaquoddy Bay, 



FIRST WINTER AT SAINTE CROIX. iSl 

I,. 

and began their settlement on a little island to which they gave the 
name of Sainte Croix. " When the settlement was removed to Port 
Royal, Champlain continued his explorations. He took observations, 
made charts, and carefully examined every bay, river, harbor, and 
island from Nova Scotia to Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Thus the 
first coast survey of New England was made by a Catholic pioneer, 
' fifteen years before the Puritans landed at Plymouth. It was Cham- 
plain who directed the attention of De Monts to Canada. That 
nobleman obtained a monopoly of the fur trade from Henry IV. for 
one year, and it was at once decided to establish a colony on the St. 
Lawrence and De Monts appointed Champlain his lieutenant. 
! "In i6oS, Champlain sailed from Honfleur, and was soon on his 
way up the great river of Canada. He cast anchor at a point where 
j the St. Lawrence was narrowed by a bold rocky cape that thrust itself 
I into the channel, and was crowned by vines and walnuts. The na- 
tives called it Quebec. Stadacone had disappeared. 

"'Our habitation,' wrote the founder of Quebec, 'is in forty-six 

and a half degrees north latitude. The country is pleasant and beau- 

I tiful. It is suitable for all kinds of grrain. The forests are stocked 

:1 with a variety of trees.- Fruits are plentiful — wild, of course — as the 

:i walnut, cherry, plum, raspberry, gooseberry, etc. The rivers pro- 

! duce fish in abundance, and the quantity of game is infinite.' " 

Ij Here they threw up a little fort, and with willing industry be- 

j gan to clear away the cedars and pines from the sandy soil, and 

I erect dwellings. They planted grain, and made ready to pass 

j their winter, which promised to be severe. With no neighbors 

i] nearer than St. Augustine, they endured all the trials of the se- 

j vere season, but disease thinned them sadly, and in the spring, while 



1 82 JESUIT MISSIONARIES AT PORT ROYAL. 

Champlain explored the coast as far as Cape Cod, de Monts sought! 
a uew site for his cofony. He at last decided upon Port Royal, a,ni\ 
to it transferred his settlement, and Maine was abandoned. 

Port Royal did not thrive, however; it was a mere trading-post in I 
the hands of French nobles and gentlemen. But Champlain, in 1608, 
carried out a wiser plan, and began a settlement at Quebec. Below I 
the cliff he landed, July 3, 1608, and laid out a fort. Cape Diamond, | 
tall and bare, and the green heights of Point Levi echo to the wood- 
men's axes as the}' level the trees which lined the shore. Champlain 1 
is there, directing and guiding, himself an example to the rest. In 
a few weeks a strong wooden wall enclosed three buildings and a 
garden spot, while cannon bristled from a platform looking out on 
the river. Over this floated the flag of France, sometimes to di'oop, 
but soon to recover and hold its own here for more than a hundred 
and fifty years. 

Thus were the two colonies of Acadia, or Nova Scotia, and Canada 
begun. 

Jesuit missionaries began to labor among the Indians near Port 
Royal, but a new proprietor of the place was unfriendly to them. 
By the aid of a French lady of rank, Madame de Gruercheville, they 
began in 1013 a missionary settlement at Mount Desert Island, oa 
the coast of Maine. They had scarcely lauded and commenced 
building, when Argall, from Virginia, escorting some fishing vessels 
near tiere, heard of it. and without any authority attacked and broke 
up the settlement, killing one of the missionaries, and plundering all. 
Hearing of the establishment at Port Royal, he visited and plundered 
that also. 

Port Roval wae soon restored, and in time Aeadia was possessed 



NOBLE SON, BASE FATHER AND BRAVE WIFE. 1 83 

bj" two proprietors, d'Aulnay and La Tour. Of the latter we may 
here relate an interesting incident. His father joined the Englisli, 
and receiving nuuiy honors, offered to go over and persuade his soi\ 
to yield his post or join the English. With a considerable force he 
approached his son's fort, but that gentleman, true -to his flag, 
spurned his father's base offers in a truh' noble letter, and prepared 
to defend himself. He held his own so manl'ully that the elder 
La Tour, defeated and remorseful, became the suppliant. To return 
to England after his failure he durst not do, so he threw himself on 
the mercy of his son, who assigned him a house outside of his fort. 
and there maintained him. 

Subsequent to this La Tour became involved in difficulties with 
d'Aulnay. Both sought aid from New England to carry on tlic 
war against his own countrymen, whose little posts were dotted along 
the deeply indented shores of IMaine and Nova Scotia. Had they 
worked in harmony, they might have built up a flourishing colony. 

Ouce, duriufl; their strus-o-le, in 1645, d'Aulnav learnina- that La Tour 
had left his fort on the St. John's with a slight garrison, marched to 
attack it with all the force he could muster. But he did not find it an 
easy task to reduce it. Madame La Tour, with only a handful of men, 
i determined to defend the jdace to the last. To tlie summons of 
jj d'Aulnay she returned a bold, defiant answer. The fire of her cannon 
''] and musketry was such as to drive her assailants off : but on the 
I fourt.li day one of her men deserted, and d'Aulnay learned how small 
j a force opposed him. But she Avould not yield. As d'Aulnay wn« 
'j scaling the wall she rushed forward at the head of her little garrison to 
I repel his assault. D'Aulnay, amazed at such courage, proposed terms, 
n and having obtained such as she deemed honorable, the brave lady 



184 FRIENDLY HURONS — HOSTILE IROQUOIS. 

surrendered, but the treacherous d'Aulnay on entering seized and 
hanged all her men but one, compelling the brave lady to witnet^s 
their execution with a rope around her own neck. The shock was 
such that three weeks after this gallant lady and devoted wife breathed 
her last. 

With these few incidents in Acadian history we return to Champlain 
and his colony. 

The Indians whom Cartier had found on the St. Lawrence had 
disappeared. Its banks were lined by roving bands of the Montagnais. 
called by the New Yorkers in olden time Adirondacks. These 
brought in furs to the French posts to trade. Other tribes heard 
of it, and the Algonquins on the Ottawa came down in fleets of bircli 
canoes, loaded with skins of beaver, moose, and deer, to trade with 
the bearded men who came in mighty ships from over the sm. 
Other Indians, still of a totally different race, living in palisaded 
towns, and raising corn and tobacco, beans and squashes, in great 
plenty on the shores of Lake Huron, and called Hurons by the French, 
also made their way to Quebec. Champlain made all these wild 
and savage tribes friends to his little colony. But to be their friend 
he had to help them against their great enemy. This was a nation 
occupying what is now New York, from the Hudson almost to Niagara. 
The French called them Iroquois ; the English, when they came to 
know them, termed them Five Nations, for they comprised the 
Mohawks, the Oneidas, the Onoudagas, the Cayugas, and the Senecas. 

Against these the allies required Champlain to join them in war. 
So, in the early summer of 1609, he ascended the St. Lawrence witli 
a few Frenchmen in a shallop and a large force of Indians. He 
entered the Sorel River and ascended till the rapids prevented his 




"THERE IS A SHIP PAST THE MOUTH OF THE HARBOR." 
An incident in tlie exile of the Acadians. The b-.>y warns his fatluT of the approacli of tlie British 
vessel. The British soldiers, upon landing burned and destroyed the Church and lionies of the peaceful 
Catholic villatre of Grand Pre in 17")5, driving people and i)nest from their homes in Ilie most cruel manner. 
Families were sm perated, children and young maidens being sent adrift and scattereil reL'ardless of family 
ties all along the shores of Maine and elsewhere without shelter or food. It is this tenible event in the his- 
tory of this peaceful village of Nova Scotia, which was settled in 1651 by French Catholics, that furnislied 
Longfellow his material for "Evangline.' 



FIRST INDIAN BATTLE WITH CIIAMPLAIN. 185 

further progress. Then, sending back his boat, he went on with the 

Indians and entered the lake which bears his name. On the 3()u 

of July, as tae sun was sinking behind tlie Adirondacks, they came iu 

sight of a fleet of Iroquois canoes on tlie lake. The hills around 

echoed back the yells and cries of the fociucu. Both partie.'^ made 

for the siiore and prepared for battle on the morn. With the dawu 

the iro(iuois sallied forth from their hastily made fort, led by chiefs 

with tall plumes. As they came on, Champlain stepped forth from 

the midst of his allies, iu his helmet and cuirass, his arquebuse in his 

liuuil. The Iroquois gazed in wonder at this new warrior, but his 

hre-aiuis soon laid one chief low and another beside him. Then his 

allies poured on the astonished Iroquois a shower of arrows. They 

I stood their ground, sending volley after volle\' at the allies, till 

j Charaplain's two comrades, who had approached under cover of 

I bushes, opened fire. Then the Iroquois broke and fled in terror, 

j pursued by Montagnais and Huron and Algonquin along the banks 

, of the lake. 

Such was the first Indian battle in Canadian history, fouglit oa th« 

shore of Lake Cham])lain. 

Quebec was slowly growing, with its profitable trade, each yeat 

j beholding the wide river before it swarm with canoes from the remote 

I west, bearing to the French post skins of animals hunted even as 

j far west as Lake Superior, riiamplaiii was the soul of all. Year 

I after year he was on the Atlantic, hastening to France to engagt 

some high noble to obtain the title of Viceroy and give his influence 

! to Canada ; or sailing back with well-chosen men and needed supplies, 

I In 1615 he brought out several prie.its of the Franciscan Order U 

\ minister in his colony and convert the Indians. These simple-minded, 



1 86 CATHOLIC MISSIONARIES TO THE HURONS. 

devoted men, with the Jesuits who soon joined them, gave a religions 
lone to the colony. With one of them, the adventurous Father 
Caron, Chaniplain set out for the country of the Huron Indians, and 
while the priest roared his altar in a rude cabin, amid the dusky 
denizens of the wild Canadian iorest, Chaniplain prepared to maroli 
with a Huron force to attack some allies of the Iroquois in New York 
State. With a large Huron force they left the palisaded towns of 
tliat nation as the Indian summer deluded the French by its sudden 
warmth. They threaded in their canoes the long line of lakes and 
rivers leading to Lake Ontario. No human habitation met their eye 
It was all wilderness, tenanted only by the- wild beast and fowl. 
Hunting and fishing, the army leisurely made its way till it reached 
the broad expanse to which these tribes gave the name we still 
retain, Ontario, beautiful lake. Across its surface, now ploughed 
by steamers, these light bark canoes bore the host of warriors, and 
were then hidden in the woods on the southern shoi'e. A march 
into the interior of the beautiful western part of New York, brought 
ihem to the large palisaded town of their enemies. Chaniplain pre- 
pared huge machines to overtop the rude wall, but his allies were 
ra.sh and ungovernable, and their attacks failed. 

Disregarding the pi-otections he devised, the\- rushed up to the 
foot of the palisade to fire it ; but from the gallery above the defenders 
hurled stones and poured down water from their large bark reservoirs. 
Their arrows darkened the air, and Huron after Huron fell dead or 
wounded. Champlain, fighting gallantly, received two wounds, and 
at last found the Hurons bent on abandoning the siege. They re- 
treated to their canoes, galled all the way throuiih the forest-path.s 
by the arrows of their foe. At last they reached their canoes, and 



CANADA CAPTURED AND RESTORED TO FRANCE. 1 8/ 

were once more ou Lake Ontario. Such was the second battle fought 
by tlie French to secure the territory of New York. 

Various trading-companies from time to time controlled Canada, 
but Cardinal Richelieu at last formed one known as The New France 
Company. Under this, Canada had already begun to increase, when 
an English fleet in 1628 ascended the river and destroyed a French 
post. A summons came to Champlain to surrender Quebec : but 
though Kirk, the English commander, had just intercepted his supplieb 
from France, he answered boldl}', " I will hold Quebec to the last." 

Kirk looked up at the rocky height of Quebec, and at the little fort, 
and feared to attack. The next year he returned. Champlain and 
his little colony had almost perished during that dreary winter. 
He surrendered, and the flag of England waved over Cape Diamond. 
Champlain was almost recaptured on the St. Lawrence by a French 

I vessel, but was taken to England. 

- ■ In 1632, Canada was restored to France, and Champlain returned 

j as Governor. A new impulse was given to colonization, and Chara- 

'j plain directed the little colony with great wisdom, till this Father 
of New France died peacefully on the 25th of December, 1635. 
-He left a name unsullied and unimpeached. He -was a skillful navi- 
gator, a brave commander, a prudent Governor, and a sincere. 

• upright, jiractical Christian. 

1 At this time posts existed at Quebec, Tadoussac, Three Eivers, 

I and near Montreal, while the Jesuit missions extended from the 
mouth of the St. Lawrence to the Huron country, and a college was 

j opened by them at Quebec, the earliest seat of learning in Northern 

( America. 

I Soon after tlie death of Champlain the L-oquois renewed their war 



ill 



1 88 URSULINE NUNS IN CANADA. 

on the Hurons, and prevented the French from carrying out a 
projected settlement in that part. But the missionaries stood their 
groutul, and though exposed to all the horrors of Indian cruelty, 
did not falter. 

Meanwhile a religious fervor was excited in France, and pious 
people were eager to aid the growth of Canada. In 1639 a ship 
arrived at Quebec, and from it came Ursuline nuns to open schools 
for French and Indian girls, and Hospital nuns to tend the sick. As 
they landed they knelt to kiss the soil of the New World. With the 
Ursulines came a young widow, Magdalen de la Peltrie, who fled from 
the gayeties of France to give her fortune and her assistance to the 
Ursulines. Without becoming a nun she founded their convent and 
shared their labors. A venerable ash-tree still stands within the 
enclosure of the Ursuline convent at Quebec, beneath whose leafy 
shade this devoted lady, two hundred years ago, washed with her 
own hands and dressed in civilized garments the first little red pupils 
sent, to the Ursulines to instruct. Her zeal was not momentary ; she 
spent her whole life in Canada, aiding in every good work, and 
when she died, in 1671, was mourned by the whole colony. 

In the general movement in favor of Canada, Sillery, a Knight 
of Malta, sent means to found a settlement for Christian Indians, and a 
pious association in 1642 founded the city of Montreal. This city 
became the bulwark of Canada, for almost immediately a new Iroquois 
war broke out, and the Five Xations attacked alike the French and 
their allies. Father Jogues, a Jesuit missionary, was captured and 
carried off a prisoner to the Mohawk, where one of his companions was 
put to death, and he himself after undergoing fearful tortures, was at last 
with difficulty rescued by the kind-hearted Dutch colonists at Albany. 




il 



'5 ^ 



Sis 

02c 

hi i !« 

M =^£ 

'-' S-i 
OSS 

« " B 
0} — 01 

Pi 

P 

a 

"A 
< 



a; ^ 
? 5= 



S §•§ 






? 3 






ii 

CO 



i 



FATHER JOGUES AND THE HURON CHIEF. 189 

To defend Canada and chock the inroads of the Mohawks, Mont- 
magn}', the Governor of Canada, whom these Indians called Onontio, 
.'tuilt a fort at tlie nioutli ol' tiie Sorel. 

One day, while the Governor's bark lay in the rapid Sorel, and the 
soldiers were bnsy on the fortification, the yell of the Indian broke 
ttie stillness of the forest, and a volley from Dutcli muskets in their 
dusky hands rattled among them. Corporal du Rocher rallied his 
men, and the MohaAvks, losing several of their braves, fled in confusion. 
The annals of Canada abound in heroic achievements. 

Ahasistari, a Huron chief, when Father Jogues was taken, refused to 

abandon him. "I vowed to share thy fortunes, whether death or life. 

Lo, brother, here I am to keep my vow ! " He had been the terror 

I of the Mohawks. Once, on Lake Ontario, he was surprised by a 

I large force of Iroquois war canoes. " We are dead ! " cried his 

I braves, " let us Qx ! " "' No ! no ! " he exclaimed, " let us meet them 

I rather," and seizing his paddle, made his canoe skim over the water 

( towards them. Then, with a bound, he sprang into the foremost 

, canoe, tomahawked one man, dashed two others into the water on 

I either side, and upset the canoe. Before they could realize their 

j position, he was swimming around with one hand and dealing with 

I the right deadly blows with his terrible hatchet at ever}' Mohawk 

i head struggling in the water. With loud cries the other Mohawk 

I canoes took flight, pursued by the Hurons, Avho picked up their 

gallant chief 

. Montreal could boast of a great Indian fighter in the town major, 
j Lambert Closse, w'hose skill and bravery often saved that frontier 
I town from the Indians. One day in July, 1651, when the broiling 
\ sun poured down on the little town beneath the mountain of Montreal. 



i 



I go CLOSSE FIGHTS THE MOHAWKS. 

and all seemed to languish under the influence, the Sisters of the 
Hospital were startled by an Indian yell. Mohawks had glided 
into the town and crept up a ditcli to their very door. Closse, with 
sixteen men, had been stationed there, and though the enemy were 
two hundred, he fought them steadily, almost hand to hand, from 
sunrise till the sun sank again in the west. Everj- sail}' told, for 
where Closse charged the Indians gave wa}', knowing his deadly 
aim and the weight of his arm. At one time the}' swarmed over 
the wall in such force that he could not drive them back, when his 
only cannon, loaded to its utmost, suddenly burst, killing one French- 
man, but hurling a number of the Indians into the air in fragments 
and filling the rest with terror. 

On another occasion the watch-dogs warned the Governor of 
Montreal that Indians were prowling around. Closse was sent out 
to reconnoitre. His scouts discovered the enemy ; but he was in- 
stantly surrounded by several hundred Indians, who came on with 
fierce yells from the forest around, whose reddening autumn leaves 
were a banner of war. Closse saw at a glance his danger, and 
knowing an abandoned house near, made a bold push and cut his 
way through the enemy. They reached it with little loss, and, once 
inside, barricaded it well and cut loop-holes. Taken aback by his 
bold dash, the Mohawks had paused ; now, convinced of their error, 
they dashed on, but his deadly rifles carried death through their 
ranks. He kept up the fight till all his powder was gone, then a 
gallant feLow named Baston, under cover of their last volley, dashed 
out and reached Montreal at a run. With panting words he told the 
situation. Ten men started out with him, carrying ammunition and a 
small cannon. While some reached the house, the rest attacked 



THE INDIANS BLOODY REVENGE. I9I 

tiie enemy in the rear, and then Closse, sallying out, routed them 
with terrible slaughter. 

The war was not constant. There were occasional lulls. Peace 
was made with great ceremony at Three Elvers, in July, 1645, and 
the Mohawks promised to bury the hatchet forever. Yet, when 
Father Jogues went as a missionary to their towns, he was seized 
and cruelly butchered. 

Then the war was renewed. One of their iirst acts was to surprise 
and kill by treachery Picskaret, a great Montagnais chief, a friend 
of the French, who, unsuspicious of hostilities, welcomed a party as 
friends and was killed on the spot. 

This Pieskaret was one of the bravest and most crafty of Indians on 
record. Once, with four couii-ades, he set out from Three Rivers, 
resolved to make the Iroquois pay dearly in atonement for the slaughter 
cf his countiymcn. Each of his party had three muskets loaded with 
two bnllets chained together. 

Grim and silent, they paddled steadily up the Sorel. An Iroquois 
ffar party of fifty braves, in ten canoes, at last emerges in their sight, 
and loud yells arise at the jirize so near their grasp. Pieskaret 
and his men raise their death chant, standing erect, ready for their 
inevitable doom. Bnt as the enemy are about to seize them, their 
chant dies away, each stoops to seize a weapon, and iifteen l)ullet8 
are sent through the frail elm-bark canoes of the Mohawk braves. 
In a moment the whole war party was tlonndering in the rapid river, 
while Pieskaret paddled on, shooting and tomahawking, sparing only a 
few to lead off as prisoners to grace his triumph. 

Another time, as the snows began to disappear beneath the genial 
warmth of spring, and all travel was suspended, he .set out alone. 



ig2 THE BRAVE JESUIT MISSIONARIES, 

With infinite toil he threaded the intricacies ot the woods, with their 
deep ravines and swelling torrents, till he came near the Mohawk 
uountrv- Then he reversed his snow-shoes, puttiujj; the point behind. 
At last the smoke curling lium the bark lodges siiowed him that a 
town was reached. Concealing himself till night, he stole under 
cover of darkness into a cabin, cut down all there, and bore off theia- 
scalps to his lurking-place. With tlie dawn came the wild yells, 
the death cry, and the Mohawks swarmed out to find the assailant. 
They found tracks entering the village, none going out. Three nights 
in succession he did the same. The Mohawks durst not sleep. Still 
Pieskaret watched, and stole waril\' around till he caught a Moiiawk 
nodding at ids post. He struck him down ; but his victim gave his 
death cry. The whole village rushed out. Pieskaret, the ileetest 
runner known, soon distanced them, and hid himself. A ptjrty in 
pursuit stopped near by to rest. Pieskaret, ever on the alert, returned, 
tomahawked them, and then made his way to the St. Lawrence with 
the bloody trophies of his campaign. 

The Iroquois cantons poured an immense force into the Huron 
country, taking town after town, slaying many, carrying off some 
as prisoners, and putting others to death with the most fearful 
tortures. The Jesuit missionaries stood fearlessly b^y their flocks. 
Fathers John Brebeuf and Gabriel Lalemant were tortured for hours, 
enclosed in resinj" bark, which was set on fire, burned from head 
to foot with heated stones and iron, scalped, their flesh cut away and 
devoured before their eyes, till death put an end to their sufferings 
and crowned their triumph. Nor were they the only ones : in the 
Huron towns, on their pious journeys among peaceful tribes, the 
missionaries were slain amid their pious labors. 



jH 



THE IROQUOIS RECEIVE THE MISSIONARIES. 1 93 

In a short time Upper Canada was a desert, and the French posts 
ea the St. Lawrence were in a state of siege. 
At a moiueiit when uU seemed lost, tlie Iroquois of their own 
, accord appeared, bearing the white flag. Men could scarce beliere 
t their senses when these fierce warriors offered peace and invited the 
■ French to begin a settlement at Onondaga, and establish missiou.- 

there. 
|i Oa tlie northern shore of Lake Onondaga the French settlement 
(»f St. Mary's, with its Christian mission, was begun in 1G5G, and the 
truths of the gospel were proclaimed from the Mohawk to the Niagjara. 
Everything betokened success, when signs which there was no mis- 
taking, warned them that the treacherous savages were planning their 
1 massacre. The nearest post was Montreal, and to reach it seemed 
( impo-ssible. 

A plan was formed. Silently and cautiously they made several 
li large boats within their houses, and collected there all canoes that 
I could be obtained. When all was ready, a young man, who had been 
!' adopted l)y the Onondagas, met the chiefs. 

I " I must give a feast to my red brothers, a bounteous feast, where 

I 

ij all must be eaten." 

il "It is well." 

!j The little bundles of sticks denoting the number of days to the feast 

j were distributed. All the live-stock were killed, and the feast began. 

I By the rules of the Indians each brave is compelled to eat all set 

before him, and the French heaped the bark ])]atters. Music and 

I dances varied the entertainment, and they ate awa}' till it was far 

I into the niaht. Then the gorged and wearv savaa:es crawled to their 

i lodges, and were soon lost in a heavy slumber. When all had become 



194 GARAKONTHIE BECOMES A CHRISTIAN. 

still in the Indian village, the French got down their last boats, and 
loading them, embarked. All night long they plied the paddle and 
the oar, and day saw tliem beyond pursuit. The wide, open lakt', 
Ontario, is reached at last, and keeping Avell oS" shore, they threaded 
the Thousand Islands and darted down the St. Lawrence to Montreal. 
Meanwhile, their guests, after sleeping far into the day, roused up, 
and bv degrees strolled to tlie French settlement. All was still. 
"They sleep heavy," said the Indians. But when the sun began to 
descend towards the west their curiosity became excited. There was 
no answer to their knock. At last, some bolder than the rest, climbed 
and reached a window and entered. From room to room they wan- 
dered. The Frenchmen had gone. Then they were perplexed. "The 
Frenchman had no boats," said they. " He has gone by magic, he has 
walked through the air, for he has left no trail on land." 

Again the French colony was scourged by a desolating Indian war, 
interrupted by occasional gleams of peace, due, especially, to Garakon- 
thie, an Onondaga chief, who became a Christian and sought to bring 
his tribe to the arts of Christianity and peace. 

In 1662 a change took place in the government, by which the 
Company ceased to control Canada, and it became a royal pro- j 
vince. 



CilTHOLIC DISCOVERERS 




BALBOA TAKES POSSESSION OF THE PACIFIC 



Explorers grci riissioRorics 



Sc.E. 








THE STORY OF COLUMBUS AND THE EGG. 
At a nanqufi Kive.i lu ^.„u„,bas, upon his return to 8p;iin. hy IVilro (ionzales fie ^j!'«'^"^tl^^ 
SpaiiWi Grand Cardinal. Columbus confusfd Ids critics hy deninnstratinK that Mc.v did not even 
know how to make an egg stand on its end. A simple demonstration was enjoyed at their expense. 



\ 




PIZAKRO BEFORE CHARLES V. AETER THE CONQUEST OF PERU. 

In 1528, the indomitable conqueror of Peru sailed for Spain, and landed at Palqs. Appearing 
at court with the dignity and frank manners of a soldier, he recounted to Cliarles A . the thnlhng 
Story of his wonderful discovery. He was then appointed Governor and Captain-General of Peru. 



ijiif|ili/i;.«i 















,^ 



OJEDA CUTTING HIS WAY THROUGH THE INDIAN BANKS, 
in 1500 this devout ,oung Spanish ^-^^;^^^^rX:^:^Z::TL^:St Sppfd Kefdiv 

way oilt single handed, all of his cympai.iuus having lalk-ii in Battle. 







LA SALLE CLAIMS THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY FOR FRANCE. 

Robert Cavalier Sier de La Salle, one of the early French Catholic explorers, became a settler fn 
Canada about ltj69. In 1681 with a party in canoes he reached the head of Lake Slichigan and de- 
scended the Illinois to the Mississippi, which he followed to its mouth, where, on the 9th of April, 
1682, he set up the Cross and the Arms of France, claiming the valley in the name of his Sovereign, 
Louis XIV, while the whole party chanted the Vexilla Regis ; " The Banner of Heaven's King ad- 
vance. The Mystery of the Cross shines forth." The Ceremony being finished with a Te Deum, 




PATHEK BKEBEUF CONFRONTING THE INDIAN COUNCIL. 

At Quebec in 1633, sixty Huron Chiefs headed by Louis Amantacha, a Christian Huron, sat 
round the council-Are, and the noble Champlain, the intrepid Brebeuf, and the zealous Lallemant 
stood in their midst. A treaty of friendship was concluded between the French and the Hurons. 
For Father Brebeuf. during three years spent with the Hurons to learn their customs and languages, 
had won their good will. But, sad to relate, on March 16th, 1649, Fathers Brebeuf and Lallemant 
both suffered martydom in a most horrible manner at the hands of hostile savages. 



t! 




THE MURDER OF PIZARRO. 

After his conquest of Peru. Pizarro erected churches, cast down idols and set up 
crosses everywhere. His oivilizint; labors, however, came to a sudden end. The de- 
mon of strife appearing among his followers, a band of conspirators entered his resi- 
dence on June 26, 1541. when a bloody conflict ensued. Pizarro wounded, fell exclaim- 
ing, " Jesus : '■ and tracing the cross on the bloody tloor with his finger, he stooped to 
kiss it, when a death dealing blow brought his brilliant career to a terrible end. 



I 




FINDING THE DEAD BODY OF LA SA1>LE. 3j 

After his return to France, La Salle in July. U')Xi. was sent out with four vessels on 
an expedition to the Mississippi. He lamleij at Espiritu. Santo Bay, Texas. Here he 
met with tnany niisfoTtunps. and hissi»ldiers dwindhntf away he set out in January, 
1687, by way of tlie Mississippi to obtain rebef from Canada, but was assassinated by 
some of his followers un 31arch I9th, of the same year. 



I! 




^ MDUmt/ CflTHmAL" 



ANCIENT CATHOLIC MISSIONS, SAN ANTONIO TEXAS. 

A noble monument of the skill of the Franeiseaii Fathers ami the iiiiiiruveiiieiit of their 
neophytes, may be seen in the many churches, acqueducts and other public works, built by 
Indian hands, which still remain on Texan soil. In the San .\ntoiiio of our own time ai'e seven 
Catholic Churches, in which services ai-e held in the EiiKlish, Spanish, French. Gei'man and 
f oiish languages. For a century and a quarter the Catholic Church was the i niy Christian 
body here. 



CHAPTER VII. 

New Netherland — Hudson's Discovery — Christiaensen — Valentine and Orson — Block builds 
the "Onrust," the first New York vessel — New York and Albany Settled — Treaty of Tawa- 
sentha — Dutch West India Company — Purchase of New York Island — The New Nether- 
land — Indian Troubles — Captain Underbill and the Battle of Strickland's Plain — The 
Swedes on the Delaware — They are reduced by Stuyvesant — Troubles with New England— 
Kew Netlierland taken by the English. 

On the 3d of September, 1609, a little two-masted yacht of not 

more than eighty tons, such as gentlemen now use for pleasure, 

cautiousl}^ sailed in between Coney Island and Sandy Hook, and 

anchored in a bay that seemed alive with fish. From the masthead 

floated the orange-white-blue banner of Holland, but the commander 

I was an English navigator of long experience, who had sailed to find 

i( here what Smith sought up the Chickahominy, a passage to India. 

I All around was beautiful. A white sandy beach, with its plum- 

(:i bushes, then towering oaks, pine, and cedar, meadows of rich green 

■;» grass, enamelled with the flowers of early autumn, the iron-weed with 

; its purple masses, the thistle and deep, dark, sumach berries, with 

I snowy masses of aster. Around him was a noble harbor, a capa- 

j cious basin which received the waters of large rivers. Ere long the 

i Half Moon was approached by canoes, dug-outs of wood, with natives 

i wondering at his little craft, as though it were some Ark of the 

! earliest, or Great Eastern of latest date. In mantles of feathers and 

I robes of fur, with rude copper necklaces, they at first gazed in won- 

i der : when at last they saw that the new-comers were men, they ap- 

j proached with beans and clams to offer. Cautiously did Henry Hudson 

' enter Newark Bay, and sailed up the river that still bears his name, 

il till he anchored beneath the shadow of the majestic Catskills. Further 



Ig6 REAL FATHER OF NEW NETHERLAND. 

on he landed in an Indian canoe. A feast was spread for him 
by a chief: pigeons were shot for their guest, and a dog prepared; 
but Hudson did not stay to enjoy it, though the Indians, to dispel 
all fear, broke their bows and arrows and threw them into the fire. 

Near where Albany stands he traded for several days, and gave 
liquor to the Indians so freely, that the tribes long retained the memory 
of this first revel and use of drinks that were to prove their ruin. 

On his way down he had a collision with the natives, and killed 
several of them near Fort Washington. Then, hoisting sail, he glided 
into the bay and was soon once more on the open sea. Reaching 
England first, he sent a report to Holland, but was detained by the 
government, and not allowed to return in person to his Dutch em- 
ployers. 

But the way was opened to the energetic sons of Holland. Dutch 
ghips at once began to run over and carry on trade with the natives 
for furs. Henry Christiaensen, of Cleves, the real father of the Dutch 
colony of New Netherland, led the way, and on his second voyage, in 
1611, with Adrian Block, who has left his name to an island which 
you will find near Narragansett Bay, took back a good shij>load 
of furs and two young men, sons of Indian chiefs on the Hudson. 
In allusion to the old fairy tale, and probably from their diffei'ent dispo- 
sitions, the Dutch called these two young men Talcntine and Orson. 
They were educated in Holland, and subsequently returned to the 
Hudson, but were of little service to the Dutch. Orson was an Or.son 
indeed : not long after he caused Cliristiaensen's death, and was shot 
down on the spot. 

In 1613 Block met with a misfortune. His little vessel, while in j 
the waters near Manhattan Island, took fire and was destroyed. 



J 



DUTCH ALLIANCE WITH THE IROQUOIS. I97 

So he wintered on the island, dreaming, perhaps, of the great city 
one day to cover it. Block's log-cabins were the first white dwellino-s 
"in the State. With stout heart he and his men set to work to repair 
their loss, and the yacht Onrust, which they built, was the first ves- 
'sel ever launched in New York waters. So here becran the settlement 
and industry of New York. 

The next year Christiaensen threw up a little block-house on 

Castle Island, just below Albany. It was called Fort Nassau, and 

iiour readers can readily picture it to their own minds. As you ap- 

iproached the island you saw a stockade of stout timbers, fifty-eight 

ffeet square. If you landed and made your way up the low island, 

lyou found that the fort was surrounded by a ditch eighteen feet wide. 

Crossing this, you entered the palisade to find a substantial Dutch 

[itrading-house, twenty-six feet wide by thirty-six long. To this came 

'ma canoes, Mohegans from the east, Mohawks and River Indians 

ijfroni the west, to sell the furs taken in their winter hunts. 

It was soon after this that Christiaensen, who had made ten voy- 
!ages from Holland to the Hudson, met his death as we have men- 
Itioned, a sad end to his active career. 

The States-General, as the Government of Holland was called, 

'jnow began to notice the new acquisition. They named the country 

(New Netherland, authorized a trading company, and in 1614 issued 

^tja charter. Thus the Dutch colony took its place. Manhattan, 

which is the Indian word for island, became a well-known place. 

■The little Dutch colony now sought the alliance of the most power- 
(ful Indian tribe in the land, the Iroquois, or Five Nations, and in 
]i6i7 concluded a treaty with them at Tawasentha, or Norman's Kill. 
This treaty, held with delegates from various tribes, and especially 



198 THE DUTCH WEST INDIA COMPANY. 

with the powerful Mohawks, became the great bulwark of the colony 
From that clay the Mohawks, Oneiclas, Cayugas, Onondagas, ant 
Senecas looked upon the colonists as friends, and by the influenc* 
they exercised over the other tribes, prevented many hostilities. If 
fact, they never wavered, even when the English took the colony 
but continued friendly down to the time of our Revolution, when th( 
British Government used them to desolate our frontier settlements. 

The Dutch, centering at Manhattan, explored the coast as far a: 
Narragansett Bay and the Delaware ; but the Connecticut and Dell 
aware were claimed as the limits of the colony. 

In 1621 a great company of merchants was formed, called th( 
Dutch West India Company, and to it New Netherland was conveyed 
The colony remained in the control of this Company till the time o 
the English conquest. It set to work with activity to increase th 
settlement and extend trade. Colonists came over and settled where 
Albany now stands, and in 1622 Fort Orange was erected there 
Another fort grew up near Gloucester, New Jersey, on the banks 
the Delaware, while the rocky island of Manhattan began to b( 
dotted with houses. Around these posts ground was cleared, graii 
planted, and an industrious, simple, thriving population was formed 

Under Cornells Jacobsen May, the first Director or Governor o 
New Netherland, live-stock in considerable quantities was sent ove 
in 1624, and the Indians saw for the first time horses, cattle, sheep 
and swine, domestic animals of which they had no idea. 

The next Director, Peter Minuit, is famous for a purchase whicl: 
he made. He bought Manhattan Island of the natives for sixt) 
guilders, equal to about twenty-four dol'ars, and this paid in trinkets 
and what was worse, in liquor. ( 



M 



FOOLISH ALLIANCE WITH THE MOHEGANS. 1 99 

We have seen what Jamestown, the first English town, was. What 
New York was in those days we can also tell pretty well. Below 
what is now the Bowling Green, negro slaves who had been brought 
in, were building Fort Amsterdam ; near its rising walls were the 
bark houses of the Dutch settlers, made at first much like those of 
the natives ; each man lived on his own little farm, and all were busy, 
some building more substantial houses, some trading with the Indians, 
the mechanics plying their different trades, while cattle browsed in the 
. rich meadows. There was no church or minister ; the settlers met for 
worship in a large room in a horse mill, to which a bell, captured 

I from a Spanish vessel, called them to the services, which were directed 

J by two men, called Consolers of the Sick. 

They were good-hearted, cheerful, industrious, practical people, 

\ without the reckless misgovernment of the early settlers at James- 
town. 

j In 1626, Van Krieckebeeck, Commandant at Fort Orange, foolishly 

I intermeddled in an Indian war, and with six men joined a Mohegan 
war party against the Mohawks ; but they had not gone many miles 
before they were suddenly attacked. A shower of flint-headed arrows 
swept through their ranks. The Dutch commander and three of his 
men were killed, the rest fled ; two of them, Portuguese soldiers, barely 
escaped, one of them being severely wounded in the back while 

; swimming a river. Fortunately for the Dutch the Mohawks did not 
■I follow up this victory, but became friendly again, and the Dutch, 

I taught by this lesson, never again attacked them. 

, A great event took place in 1631. The Dutch West India Coni- 

I pany, to show the importance of the colony, built at New Amsterdam, 

i as New York was then called, a ship called the New Netherland, of 



200 



TERRIBLE MASSACRE ON THE DELAWARE. 



six hundred tons. It was the largest vessel yet built in America, 
and probably one of the greatest merchant vessels of its time in the 
world. The little town must have watched its progress, and grown 
wild with enthusiasm, when it at last glided down into the water, 
and was duly named, with a bottle of wine broken over the bow. 
And when, fully rigged, she took in her cargo of furs and other New 
Netherland commodities, how all followed her wiih their eyes as she 
moved grandly down to the Narrows, beyond Sandy Hook, to the 
open sea ! Every man felt a personal pride in the noble ship, every 
timber of which grrew in the colonv, and which bore out a careo of 
purely colonial productions. 

But while all were thus prospering, a terrible massacre occurred on 
the Delaware, caused by a trifling thing. At Swanendael, near where 
Lewlston is now, the Dutch had planted a post with the arms of 
Holland painted on a tin plate. An Indian chief took this down to 
make pipes of it. Hossett, the Dutch commander, made great com- 
plaints at this insult to his country. The Indians, not understanding 
this, but supposing it to be what they call some big medicine, killed 
the chief and brought his scalp to the Dutch. His family, to avenge 
his death, planned a general massacre of the Dutch, and while they 
were all scattered in the fields at work, three of the boldest entered 
Hossett's house, pretending they had come to buy some articles, and 
as he came down the ladder, killed him. A large dog kept at the 
little fort caused them some alarm, but they killed it with twenty-five 
arrows, and then stole out and cut down all the settlers one by one. 
Then the silence of the grave hung over the desolate valley. 

The Dutch were more successful on the Connecticut, where, in 1633, 
Arendt Van Curler bought of the Pequods and Mohegans land for a 



INDIAN CRUELTIES TO MISSIONARIES. 20I 

meadow south of Little River, near the present city of Hartford. 
Here the little fort Good Hope was erected, and with its cannon 
^ tried to hold the river. But the people of New England had also 
learned to trade in furs, and they, in spite of the Dutch, ran past 
Fort Good Hope and settled at Windsor. In a few years they took 
possession of the mouth of the river, and the Dutch were driven back 
towards the Hudson. 

New Dutch settlements grew up on the Delaware, but in 1638 a 
Swedish colony came over under Peter Minuits, and established 
Fort Christina, near Wilmington. The Dutch protested, but the 
Swedes held on ; emigrants came over, and a little Swedish settle- 
ment was formed, with its Lutheran church. They cultivated friend- 
ship with the Indian tribes, and showed more zeal than the Dutch or 
P Virginians did to convert them to Christianity. 

, The Dutch colony advanced steadily. The fruits of Europe were 

' planted and throve, and all was prosperous, when Indian troubles 

\ arose in 1640, and Governor Kieft sent an expedition against the 

Raritans which ravaged their fields and killed many. The Raritans, 

who had really done the Dutch no wrong, retaliated by attacking the 

Dutch settlements on Staten Island. Then a Westchester Indian 



I murdered a man on Manhattan Island, and as his tribe refused to 

I give him up, on the ground that he did it to retaliate the murder of 

I his uncle by the Dutch, Kieft sent an expedition against them, and 

I they made peace, promising to give up the murderer. 
' Other hostilities followed ; the whole colony was alarmed, and 

' from the INIohawk came tidings that that fierce tribe were at war with 

I the French, and actually had a French missionary in their hands, on 
whom they had inflicted terrible cruelties. 

\ 



202 INDIAN WAR BECOMES GENERAL. 

Kieft massacred Indian parties at Jersey City, Corker's Hook, 
and on Long Island. Then the war became general ; the Dutch 
were attacked in the fields and on rivers, and at last found it neces- 
sary to raise an army. They gave command to Captain John 
Underhill, an old Indian fighter from New England. Anne Hutchin- 
son's settlement was, however, destroyed by the Westchester Indians, 
and Lady Moody's plantation at Gravesend was saved only by the 
bravery of the colonists, who were attacked by a host of Indians ; 
but a settlement at Maspeth was broken up. 

Fort Amsterdam was a scene of confusion : from all parts the 
settlers came crowding in with all they could save from their burning 
houses and fields, and while famine threatened the land, Kieft, the 
author of all the mischief, coolly sent off to the West Indies two 
shiploads of grain. 

It was while the little town on Manhattan Island was in such a 
state of distress, that the missionary Isaac Jogues, whom the Dutch 
at Albany had rescued, visited it, and gives us a description which is 
very interesting. It was then, as it has always since been, a place 
for men of all languages and religions. 

As the war went on, Underhill destroyed two Indian villages near 
Hempstead, Long Island, killing more than a hundred. 

In another expedition, marching over rocks and snow from Green- 
wich, he came up to an Indian village, standing out in the strong 
moonlight from the mountain behind. It was full of Indians, who 
yelled defiance. On charged the Dutch ; but the Indians 'sallied 
bravely out, fighting till a hundred and eighty lay dead on the snow, 
and many Dutch fell under the Indian arrows. Then Underhill 
managed to fire the village, and of the seven hundred Indians only 



THE DUTCH SEIZE THE SWEDISH COLUNV. 2O3 

eight escaped ; all the rest were slain or perished in the flames. Such 
was the battle of Strickland's Plain, the most terrible Indian battle in 
early New York annals. 

At last, in 1645, a great council of the Indian tribes convened at 
Fort Amsterdam. And in front of it, under the open sky, in view 
of the noble harbor. Sachems of all the tribes seated themselves in 
grave silence in presence of the Governor and Council, and solemnly 
smoking the pipe of peace, bound themselves to eternal friendship 
with the Dutch. 

Under Peter Stuyvesant, who became Governor in 1647, a more 
vigorous government was established, and order introduced. But 
the English kept encroaching from the Connecticut, and the Swedes 
were troublesome on the Delaware. At last the Swedes, under 
Rising, seized Fort Casimir. 

Then, one Sunday in September, 1655, the largest armament that 
had ever yet sailed out of New York Bay, started for the Delaware. 
There were seven vessels, led by the flag-ship the Balance, Captain 
Frederick De Koninck, and carrying in all nearly seven hundred 
men. 

Stuyvesant himself was in command. Fort Casimir was soon re- 
taken, and the Dutch fleet anchored in the mouth of the Brandywine, 
and invested Fort Christina on all sides. Finding it useless to attempt 
a defence. Rising, the Swedish Governor, capitulated, Sept. 25, 1655, 
and the Swedish colony in America ceased to exist. 

But meanwhile New Amsterdam was in danger. Provoked by 

I the murder of a squaw, Indians from Stamford to Esopus, and from 

the banks of the Hudson, gathered, nearly two thousand in number. 

Before daybreak their fleet of canoes reached the lower end of the 



204 



INDIANS SOLD AS SLAVES. 



island, and scattered through the streets of the sleeping town. They 
did not at once commence hostilities, though they robbed several 
houses. When day came, the authorities in the fort called the Sachems 
to a conference, and made them promise to leave the town before 
sunset ; but towards evening they killed two men ; then the people 
rallied and drove the Indians to the canoes. Why they hesitated to 
destroy the town in the morning is not known ; but now roused, they 
ravaged Hoboken, Pavonia, now Jersey City, and Staten Island, 
killing a hundred settlers, and carrying off a hundred and fifty more, 
leaving naught but ruins and ashes where all had been thriving 

too O 

farms. 

Stuyvesant's return restored confidence : many of the captives were 
recovered, but he was not strong enough to punish them for the 
massacre. 

WHien, however, the Esopus Indians attacked the settlement there, 
killing many and burning several of their prisoners at the stake, 
Stuyvesant led an expedition against them in September, 1659, but 
was unable to follow them in their forest retreats. The next year he 
took some prisoners and sent them to the West Indies as slaves. 
This and the capture and death of their chief Preummaker forced the 
Esopus Indians to ask peace, and a treaty was solemnly concluded 
by Stuyvesant in the presence of delegates of tribes from the Mohawk 
to the Susquehanna. 

But they did not forget their comrades sold into slavery, and in 
1663 again attacked the Dutch, killing twenty-one and carrying ofT 
nearly fifty prisoners. An expedition under Kregier started in pur- 
suit over rocks and mountains, and at last, in September, overtook 
them at Shawangunk Kill. Here a desperate fight took place, but 



THE DUTCH COLONY DOOMED. 2O5 

Papequanaehen, the Esopus chief, and fourteen warriors fell ; the 
rest fled, and Kregier took many prisoners, recovered most of the 
Dutch captives, and returned in triumph. 

But the colony was doomed. The English Government had de- 
termined to seize it. Charles II. granted New Netherland to his 
brother James, Duke of York, and in August, 1664, an English fleet 
anchored within the bay and summoned Stuyvesant to surrender. 
The Dutch Governor hesitated. Nicolls, the English commander, 
occupied Brooklyn, and anchored two ships before the wretched fort. 
Even then Stuyvesant would have resisted, but he yielded to the voice 
of the people, and on the 6th of September, 1664, a capitulation was 
agreed to, and New Netherland became New York. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

The Settlement of New England — The Pilgrim Fathers — Landing at Plymouth Rock — Miles 
Standish — Massachusetts Bay — New Hampshire — Roger Williams and Mrs. Hutchinson- 
Providence Plantation and Rhode Island Founded— Settlement of Hartford and New- 
Haven — The United Colonies — The Pequod War — John Eliot, the Apostle of the Indians — 
Persecution of the Quakers— Settlement of Maryland — Toleration— Indian Relations— Civil 
War. 

The colonies thus far settled on the coast, were formed by the 
spirit of adventure or commerce. Religious affairs were attended 
to in Virginia, New Sweden, New Netherland, but other colonies 
were now to be formed in which religion was the motive and the 
absorbing idea. 

England had, at the Reformation, separated from the Church of 
Rome. During the reign of Edward VI. a new church organization 



2o6 



THE TREACHEROUS SEA CAPTAIN. 



was established, which, under Elizabeth, consolidated into the Church 
of England. Many of the people, however, and especially those who 
in Queen Mary's reign had been in Geneva, wished many things 
altered which were retained by the Church of England. These were 
known as Separatists, Independents, and Puritans. 

Elizabeth and her successor, James I., wished to compel all to join 
the Church of England, and severe laws were passed against Catholics 
who clung to Rome, and the Puritans, who deemed the Church of Eng- 
land not sufficiently reformed. They could worship God according 
to the dictates of their conscience only in concealment and by stealth. 

Among the Puritan congregations thus formed, was one guided by 
John Robinson, at Scrooby, in Yorkshire. After suffering for more 
than a year, they resolved to seek refuge in Holland, where the 
Church of the land was in harmony with their views, and where some 
of their fellow-believers were already settled. 

A Dutch captain was approached, and passage secured in his ship 
for a large party. But he was a traitor. The Pilgrims, long used to 
caution, stole down by night, and reached the ship with such of their 
household goods as they could carry without exciting suspicion. They 
trod the deck, and rejoiced in their escape from pursuivants. 

But the anchors were not hoisted, no preparation made to sail, and 
ere long the vessel was boarded by the minions of the law, and the 
whole party hurried to the shore and confined in prison. Yet they 
did not lose heart. 

The next spring an unfrequented heath in Lincolnshire, where the 
wide H umber seeks the ocean, silent, serious men gathered with their 
families, modest, shrinking women, fearful children. All felt the im- 
portance of the moment, and its danger. The boats from the ship at 



THE FAREWELL AT DELFT HAVEN. 20/ 

last came through the curling waves, and some embarked. All was 
yet safe, but, as a boat sped onward to the ship, the cries of women 
and children, still left behind, thrilled them to the heart. The soldiery 
were upon them ; shots came rattling towards the boat ; the helpless 
ones on the shore were surrounded and dragged off. Agony filled 
the hearts of those on the ship and those on shore ; but the magistrates, 
unable to send to their homes those who no longer had a home, soon 
allowed them to follow their husbands and fathers. 

In Holland they found welcome from their countrymen and from 
the Dutch at Amsterdam, but as some dissensions grew up, Robinson 
removed to Leyden, and he and his flock, by severe industrj^ man- 
aged to live. But there was much around that was new and stransje. 
They thought of America. Their first idea was to settle in New 
' Netherland, but the Dutch authorities declined. Then they applied 
to the Virginia Company, and after great difficulty obtained a Patent 
which was in reality never used. But it decided their action. 

Then all was activity in the little colony of exiles at Leyden. 
Every preparation that their poverty permitted was made for the 
long and venturesome voyage to an unknown land. 

All did not go : Robinson and many more were to remain at Ley- 
den. These accompanied the Pilgrims to Delft Haven, where they 
were to embark on the Speedwell. There they feasted together. 
Robinson, their pastor, performed prayer, and with floods of tears 
the Pilgrims were escorted to the ship in silence, each heart being 
too full for words. 

At Southampton they met the Mayflower, and the emigrants were 
divided between the two vessels. There they bore away for the 
American coast. The Speedwell did not do justice to her name. In 



208 FIRST SELF-GOVERNING COMMUNITY IN AMERICA. 

a few days she proved unseaworthy. They put back to Plymouth. 
Some remained in England : all who could find room embarked in 
the Mayflower, one of the famous ships in American history, that 
many families look back to as the noble ark that bore their ancestors 
to our shores. 

Sailing on the 6th of September, the little vessel bore one hun- 
dred and two souls, men, women, and children. The equinoctial 
storms swept the ocean, and their voyage was long and dangerous. 
At last the first glimpse of land cheered their sinking hearts. They 
were near Cape Cod, and ran south, but soon turned back and an- 
chored within the cape. 

Within the cabin they now drew up a covenant, or agreement, for 
their future government, as they had no Charter, not being in the 
limits of the Virginia Company. It was the first self-governing com- 
munity in America. 

Bleak as was the coast, and appalling as was the idea of wintering 
there, all were eager to land. Boats set out to explore the coast and 
seek a suitable harbor. These parties suffered greatly in their ex- 
amination of the sandy, snow-clad shore. At last they decided upon 
Plymouth Harbor, as it has henceforth been called. Here, on the 
2 1st of December, 1620, they landed on a rock that is as famous as 
the Mayflower that anchored before it. 

There was no time for rest. At once the axe rung in the sharp 
winter air. On a bold hill overlooking the bay a rude fort was thrown 
up and their few cannon planted on it. At its foot two rows of huts 
were laid out and staked, to accommodate nineteen families. Leyden 
Street still marks the path on which these first white houses stood. 
This was not done in a day. For weeks they toiled incessantly in 



TWC FAITHFUL INDIAN FRIENDS. 2O9 

snow, and sleet, and rain. But there was cessation. No necessity 
seemed to dispense with the sacred day of rest. The first Sunday 
of the Pilgrims, when they met for solemn worship, not in grand 
cathedral or plainest room, but under the Avinter sky, with no pro- 
tection but the rude tent beside them, is a picture of their earnest 
faith and sincerity. 

But the severities of the winter on the bleak coast, with only such 
shelter as they could form, prostrated many. Death entered the 
little community, and before the spring came to cheer them with hope, 
one-half the little colony lay buried on the bank. 

But none were disheartened. They had found some Indian corn 
buried by the natives, and had used it, intending, when required, to 
make compensation. With the spring they would plant and be able 
to do for themselves. 

Then Providence sent them Squando. He was an Indian who had 
been taken to London, where he had learned English and been well 
treated. He joined the Pilgrims, and was useful in a thousand ways. 
He showed them how and when to catch fish ; to use the bony fish 
that came in shoals, as a manure for the sandy soil, planting the corn, 
so to say, in fish ; he was their interpreter with his countrymen. He 
was their faithful friend till they closed his eyes in death. 

Early in the spring an Indian of commanding presence stalked into 
the little village, and said in English, well enough to be understood : 
" Welcome, Englishmen ! " It was Samoset, a neighboring chief, 
and never did friendly words come sweeter to human ears. 

They had seen few Indians, and now learned that sickness had 
nearly left the land a desert. Plymouth Colony had begun. In 
England, meanwhile, King James had, in 1620, incorporated a new 



2IO ARROWS IN THE RATTLESNAKES SKIN. 

Company, called the Council of Plymouth, consisting of forty members 
and had bestowed upon them all the territory of North America 
between the fortieth and forty-eighth degrees, with the fisheries, and a 
heavy duty on the tonnage. 

The little colony, falling within the JLirisdiction of this Company, 
solicited a Charter, and obtained one in 1621. John Carver, chosen 
the first Governor, on board the JNIaytlower, died from the hardships 
of the first winter, and William Bradford was chosen. Their military 
leader, should occasion require his services, was Miles Standish. 

Massasoit, chief of the Wampanoags, who dwelt north of Narragan- 
sett Bay, came soon to visit the Pilgrims, and was received with all 
the ceremonies their poverty permitted. A treaty of friendship was 
soon formed, and Massasoit was always true to his pledge. Canonicus, 
the chief of the Narragansetts, was not so amicable. One day an 
Indian stalked in, bearing a bundle of arrows tied in a rattlesnake's 
skin, from this chieftain, his challensje and defiance. Governor Brad- 
ford replied in the same language of signs. He stuffed the serpent's 
skin with powder and ball, and sent it back. This awed the chieftain 
and prevented a war. 

The first Indian troubles arose from no fault of the Plymouth 
settlers. They had come to America by the help of a kind of stock 
company, in which some English merchants had advanced money. 
One of these, a man named Weston, thinking that his money would 
not repay him soon enough, sent over a set of settlers on his own 
account. Like most of those who came to other settlements, these 
were idle, thriftless men. They intruded themselves on the people 
of Plymouth for some months, consuming their scanty provisions, but 
doing nothing to help the colony. At last they began their own settle- 



THE INDIAN CONSPIRACY FOILED. 211 

ment at Wissagusset, now Weymouth, on the south shore of Massa- 
chusetts Bay. As such men always did, they soon began to feel a 
.want of provisions, and attempted to obtain a supply from the Indians 
by violence. The natives formed a plot to destroy all the English on 
the coast. A terrible fate thus menaced the little band at Plymouth. 
; Their friend Massasoit lay dying, but hearing, as he lay stretched on 
, the mat in his wigwam, the danger of his allies, he sent to warn them. 
Standish was authorized by the colony to act. With a promptness 
that has made his name famous among Indian fighters this brave man 
marched at once upon Wetawamot, the head of the conspiracy, sur- 
■ prised and killed him with several of his men. The reckless band who 
had brought about these troubles, broke up their settlement, and 
Plymouth remamed the only white post in what is now Massachusetts. 
Sir Ferdinando Gorges, who had befriended the Pilgrims, and was 
gratified by their success, obtained for himself and John Mason agrant 
for a tract which he styled Laconia, extending from Salem to the 
Kennebec. They began the work of colonization lavishly, and sent 
out men who on the whole proved worthy settlers, though few in 
number. Portsmouth and Dover in New Hampshire, settled by these 
pioneers, rank next to Plymouth as the oldest New England towns. 
Other settlements were started at various points along the shore, 
j most of which failed. Among these was one begun by Wollaston and 
conducted for a time by Morton, a rollicking fellow, who called the 
place Merry Mount, set free the indentured servants, erected a may- 
pole, and kept up a wild career, till the people of Plymouth, shocked 
at his conduct, sent an armed party which arrested Morton and sent 
him out of the country. 

The founders of Plymouth were Separatists. The Puritans did not 



212 A THOUSAND EMIGRANTS SETTLE BOSTON. 

wish to separate from the Church of England, but to remain in it ancl 
reform it. These, now still more stern and severe, founded MassaJ 
chusetts Bay. The originator of the project was Mr. White, a Puritatll 
clergyman of Dorchester, England, who, after rousing the interest ofl 
his fellow-believers, obtained from the Plymouth Company the grant! 
of a large tract from the Charles to the Merrimac, and three milesj 
beyond each of those rivers. To carry out the new settlement, John] 
Endicott, a stern, courageous man, was chosen as Governor. 

In June, 1628, he was sent out with a small party, including hisj 
own family. More fortunate than the Pilgrims, they arrived in Sep- 
tember, and gathering the scattered settlers on the coast founded! 
Salem. Charles I. incorporated the adventurers under whom the 
colony was founded as " The Governorand Company of Massachusetts | 
Bay in New England." Colonists soon poured in, chiefly from Boston 
in Lincolnshire, and clergymen of Puritan views were sent as guides 
for the new settlers ; some, who came full of attachment to the Church 
of England, were promptly sent back. At first the government of the 
colony was managed in England, but as soon as it was transferred to 
America, there was a great increase in the number and rank of the 
emigrants, many being persons of high character, wealth, and learning. 

In 1630 fifteen ships sailed from England for Massachusetts Bay, 
bearing about a thousand emigrants, carrying all that was needed for 
a permanent and successful settlement. It was the most important 
expedition that -had yet sailed from England for the New World. 

John Winthrop, the new Governor, with Dudley and others, em- 
barked on the Arbella, so called in compliment to Lady Arbella 
Johnson, one of the emigrants. They arrived in June, and settled " 
Boston. From the time they said their last " Farewell, England ! " to 



i 



GENUINE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM RESTRICTED. 213 

the receding shores of their native land, till they reached that of their 
hopes, religious services were maintained daily on the ships. The 
same spirit prevailed when they landed, and in all the little settlements 
formed as at Plymouth a religious tone prevailed. They disregarded 
King and Bishop, they formed their own church discipline, elected 
their pastors, and made their Geneva Bible their sole guide and law. 
1^' Thus were Boston, Dorchester, and Watertown added to the list 
of settlements. 

I\ Although the new colonists were not subjected to the terrible pri- 
' vations and hardships which the Pilgrims at Plymouth experienced, 
still they had much to suffer. Those sent out under Endicott to pre- 
pare the way had done little, and had no provisions laid up. The sea 

1 voyage had brought sickness and debility ; delays in forming suitable 
shelter, and a severe winter told sadly on the community, so that 
before December two hundred died. Some lost heart in the spring, 

] and returned to England, but the great majority remained. 

I In a General Court held in 1631, they carried their religious views 
so far as to allow no man to become a freeman, or vote, who was 
not a church member ; and as the number of these was small, not 
one-fourth the men were ever allowed to vote. 

Driven from England by harsh measures, they had little idea 
themselves of religious freedom. In their zeal they wished to force 

■ all to embrace their views or depart. Genuine religious freedom, 
the right of every one to hold his own religious views without dicta- 
tion from the State, or loss of his civil rights, is one of the happy 

I doctrines of our times. 

Massachusetts grew. Settlers came over year by year ; ferries 
were established ; water-mills and windmills brousirht the elements to 



2 14 TROUBLE BEGINS AT HOME. 

roll the wheels for man's use, and the coasting vessels of the thriving 
colonists ran along the coast, to the Dutch at New Amsterdam, and 
their fellow-Englishmen in Virginia. 

The Indian tribes respected their energy and activity. The Sachem 
of the Mohesfans came from the Connecticut with or-lowino: accounts of 
that valley, to invite the Puritans to settle there as a protection 
against the Pequods ; the Nipmucks sought their protection against 
the Mohawks ; Miantonomoh, the Narragansett warrior, became 
the guest of Winthrop. 

So strong did the settlers feel, that when the English Government 
appointed a Royal Colonial Commission, to revise the laws, regulate 
the Church, and revoke Charters, Massachusetts prepared to resist, 
and appointed men to manage the threatened war. 

Troubles were, however, to begin at home. Among the emigrants 
who came over to Boston in the Lion, In 1631, was Roger Williams, a 
vounof and enthusiastic clerfrvman. He claimed a larcrer freedom of 
opinion than the Puritans relished, and yet had himself many strangely 
fanatical Ideas. He did not join the Church at Boston, but was re- 
ceived at Plymouth, and after a time welcomed by Endicottat Salem. 
There, by declaiming against the cross In the English flag, he induced 
Endicott to cut it out. The General Court of Massachusetts condemned 
Salem for receiving him, and when Williams remonstrated, they passed 
sentence of banishment against him, though, as winter was nigh, they 
allowed him to remain at Salem till spring. Hia friends increased day 
by day. The Boston clergy sent to seize him In mid-winter, and ship 
him off to England. Three days before the officers reached Salem, 
Williams, bidding adieu to his family, left that settlement during a 
storm, plunging into the wintry woods. Fourteen weeks he wandered 



"what cheer, netop, what cheer?" 215 

[t on, often with no house but a hollow tree, suffering from hunger, cold, 
t and hardship. The lodges of Massasoit at Mount Hope and of Canon- 

icus at last offered him a shelter. The country on the Narragansett 
f Bay was now the object of his future plans. Here, beyond the limits of 

previous Patents, the high-minded Williams already prepared to found 

anew colony, which should be a home of religious and civil freedom. 
I 

A beautiful bend on the Seekonk River, now known as Manton's 
Cove, invited him. Massasoit granted him lands, and here in the 
spring Williams began to build and plant. But his friend Winthrop 
warned him that he was within the limits of Plymouth, so he left his 
cleared fields and his half-built house. In June, 1636, a frail Indian 
canoe bore him with five companions to the spot now called Slate Rock. 
As they glided to the shore some Indians from the heights welcomed 
Iji them with the friendly salutation, " What cheer, Netop, what cheer ? " 
Keeping on to the mouth of the Mooshausic River, he landed, and 
upon the beautiful hillside rising from the river's edge, he descried a 
spring, and around it commenced the settlement which in a spirit of 

i thankfulness he named Providence. A beautiful city now covers the 
spot, but Roger Williams' spring is not forgotten or neglected. One 
doctrine of his had given offence in Massachusetts. He maintained 
that even under a Patent from the King, men should buy the lands 
of the Indians. True to this, he purchased of Canonicus and Mianto- 
nomoh the lands he required, jealous as those chiefs were of English 
intrusion. He paid for the lands out of his own scanty means, but 
gave lands to settlers who came in as a free gift. 

The little community throve under this kindly spirit, binding them- 

I selves to obey all orders made for the public good by the majority of 
the settlers. 



2l6 THE QUAKERS AT RHODE ISLAND. 

The severity shown towards Roger WilHams did not crush all free- 
dom of thought at Massachusetts Bay. A gifted andbriUiant woman, 
Mrs. Anne Hutchinson, began to express religious views that did not 
harmonize with what was already firmly established. The meetings at 
her house were attended by many persons of superior intelligence and 
worth. Among those who embraced her opinions was a clergyman of 
the name of Wheelwright, who became her firm supporter. There had 
come over, about these times, a brilliant public man of high rank and I 
influence in England, Sir Henry Vane. The people of Massachusetts 
wereso taken with him, that in spite of his youth and his ignorance of 
their systems, they chose him Governor. His ideas could not be 
cramped by the narrow system of IMassachusetts, and he lost his 
popularity by advocating the cause of Mrs. Hutchinson. At last he 
resolved to leave a place so uncongenial, and sailed back to England. 
There he took an active part in the Puritan movement that overthrew 
Charles I., and finally died on the scaffold. 

A large number of the people who had been proscribed by the General 
Court determined to seek another home. A party under John Clarke 
and William Coddington set out for the Delaware. But Williams, 
who entertained them kindlv, advised them to settle on Narraeansett 
Bay. They visited the spot he suggested, a charming island in the bay, 
and decided to abandon their journey southward. By the influence of 
Williams they obtained from the chiefs of the Narragansetts a grant of 
Rhode Island, paying forty fathoms of white wampum for it ; and each 
settler also paid the Indians for his lands. At the close of March, 1638, 
John Clarke, William Coddington, and their sixteen associates began 
at Pocasset, or Portsmouth, the settlement of Rhode Island, to be 
governed by the laws of the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Kings. 




A TOmrO I.ADTUI DOWBB HEB WBIOHT IN PINB TREB SHIL.lJira<. 





THB F£NB OaiBB SHILUNQ. 



THE LORD BALTT'MORT! SniLLINO 



2l8 CHURCH MKMIiKRS THE ONLY FREEMEN'. 

These two little communities prospered in the kindly simple govern- 
ment, and, though Massachusetts continued to show hostility by 
carrying off Baptist settlers, and punishing them for not obeying 
Massachusetts laws, Williams more than once, by his influence with the 
Indians, saved Massachusetts from bloodshed. These two little 
colonies continued separate for some years, till, in 1663, Clarke ob- 
tained from Charles II. a Patent unitinsr them under one government. 

We have seen how some English settled on the Connecticut in spite 
of the Dutch and their Fort Good Hope. Others followed : Windsor, 
Hartford, and Wethersfield were founded; but the settlement was 
unimportant, till June, 1636, when the Rev. Mr. Hooker set out 
with an .emigrant party of one hundred men, women, and children, and 
after a two weeks' slow journey through the almost pathless woods, 
driving their cattle over mountain and stream, warned of danger by the 
howling of the wolf and other wild beasts, cautious and prudent, they 
at 1 ist reached Hartford. The new Colony of Connecticut took form. 

Ouinnipiack, on Long Island Sound, invited another band of emi- 
grants, led by the pious merchant Theophilus Eaton and the Rev. John 
Davenport, who, in April, 1638, founded the colony of New Haven, 
which rivalled Massachusetts in the strictness of its religious views, 
allowing none but church-members to become freemen, and admitting 
members very sparingly. On the first Sunday after their arrival, 
April iSth, Mr. Davenport preached to his flock beneath aspreading 
oak, and for nearly thirty years continued to minister to them. For 
nearly as many years Eaton was elected Governor at every election. 

There were thus scattered along the New England shore a series of 
little colonies, Plymouth, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Providence 
Plantations, New Haven, and Hartford, each independent of the others, 



LAWLESS MEN PROVOKE TROUBLE WITH INDIANS. 2I9 

and followini;- out its own ideas : all formed by industrious, steady men, 

and thri\'ing', growing, from day to da)'. 

The New England settlements on the Atlantic coast occupied a part 

where the natives were too few and scattered to cause alarm. Those 

in Connecticut were, however, near the larsje and unfriendly tribe of 

Pequods. Lawless men provoked trouble. The crew of a small 

trading vessel were killed on the Connecticut in 1633, and soon after 

a settlerwas murdered on Block Island, 'fhe Pequods then prepared 

for a general war, and urged the Narragansetts and Mohegans to join 

them and exterminate the English. Roger Williams set out in a 

wretched canoe. Through storms, wind, and high seas, he made his 

{I way to the house of the Sachem of Narragansett. The Pequod was 

I there already with his fresh scalps, and unawed by their fierce looks, 

I Williams, at the risk of life, stayed till he had won the Narragansetts, 

I 

i and saw the Pequods depart smothering their disappointment. 

I Connecticut prepared to meet the coming war. A force under John 

\ Mason, aided by Uncas, and sixty Mohegan braves, sailed down the 

\ Connecticut, and met at its mouth a reinforcement from Massachusetts 

Bay under Underbill. Their allies, the Narragansetts, looked at the 

little force of white men doubtfully. 

" Your design is good," said Miantonomoh ; " but your numbers are 

too weak to brave the Pequods, who have mighty chieftains and are 
j skillful in battle." They little knew the power of the white men in 

war, and were now to see it. 

The Pequods lay east of the river Thames, and Mason marched 
I westward. Two hours before dawn the New England army advanced 
• to assault a Pequod fort that crowned a hill by the Mistic. Each felt 

that he must conquer now or there was no safety for their new homes. 



220 THE BLOODY SCALP SENT TO BOSTON. 

The barkino' of their docfs roused the Indians, and with loud cries of 
" Owannux, Owannux!" they prepared to resist. Their weapons 
were no match for the muskets and swords, but they were brave and 
numerous : as one fell, another took his place. " We must burn 
them !" shouted Mason, as he applied a blazing brand to a cabin. 
The English drew off from the burning town. The palisades now 
prevented all escape of the doomed tribe. As they attempted to 
climb, they were shot down ; if they attempted a sally they were cut 
down. Six hundred Indians, men, women, and children, perished. 
The sun rose on the ruins of the town and the half-consumed bodies 
of its population. 

The Pequods rallied and attacked the New England troops as they' 
retired, but were again defeated. The rest of the tribe then fled, 
and were hunted down without mercy ; every wigwam was burnt, 
every cornfield laid waste. Sassacus, the last chief of the Pequods, 
fled to the Mohawks, who slew him and sent his bloody scalp to 
Boston. 

Emigration to the New England colonies increased under the se- 
vere measures of Charles I. against all who did not conform to the 
Established Church. When the Long Parliament met in England, 
two hundred and ninety-eight ships had borne to the shores of New 
England twenty-one thousand two hundred souls. The wigwams 
and sheds that first sheltered the settlers, had been succeeded by 
well-built houses ; fifty towns and villages had been formed, there 
were nearly as many churches, and these orderly communities drew 
abundant crops from their generally poor soil; their flocks and herds 
multiplied, while trade in fish, and lumber, and grain, and furs, in- 
creased. A public school was established at Cambridge in 1636, 






FIFTY YEARS OF COLONIAL UNION, 221 



■which soon took the name of Harvard College, from a generous 
clergyman who gave it his librarj^ and half his fortune. In 1639 the 
first printing-press north of the Gulf of Mexico u^as set up, and 
Stephen Daye, the pioneer American printer, struck off "The Free- 
man's Oath," and the next year printed the Bay Psalm-Book. 

In 1642, New Hampshire, by the will of its people, who were 
harassed by disputes of proprietors, was annexed to Massachusetts 
Bay, under separate laws, church-membership not being required for 
the privilege of freeman. Massachusetts then attempted to annex 
the colonies on Narragansett Bay. 

There was soon felt a necessity for a union among the scattered 
colonies : Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven, 
formed the United Colonies of New England. The object of the 
confederacy was mutual protection against Dutch, French, and In- 
dians. The general affairs, especially the making of peace or war, and 
all negotiations with the Indians, were confided to two Commission- 
ers from each colony. This union lasted for fifty years, and did 
much to strengthen New England, and paved the way for a more 
general union of all the Colonies, and eventually for the United 
States of America. 

The short war between Miantonomoh, the Narragansett chief, and 
the Mohegans, did not disturb the white settlements. Uncas and 
his Mohegans defeated Miantonomoh, who had attacked them with 
a thousand braves. They took the haughty chief prisoner, and left 
his fate to the Commissioners of New England. These would not 
interfere, and Uncas put him to death. 

During the war between England and Holland, in 1654, New Eng- 
\ land for the first time was drawn into European quarrels, and the 



222 INDIAN MISSIONARIES CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT. 

wars of the Old World then began to be fought in the New. Canada 
had, a few years before, proposed that neutrality should always exist 
in America, whatever wars might take place in Europe, but the Com- 
missioners declined the ofTer. Had it been accepted, some of the 
bloodiest pages in American History would have been unwritten. 

A New England expedition under Sedgwick, in 1654, prepared to 
attack New Netherland, but as peace was made in Europe, the expedi- 
tion turned northward and conquered Acadia, as the French called 
Nova Scotia, although there was no war between England and France. 

There was not, at first, much zeal among the New England settlers 
for the moral improvement of the Indians. They did not make any 
attempt to raise them from their savage, heathenish ways ; but some 
of their friends in England wrote, reminding them of what the French 
and Spaniards were doing. Among those who then devoted them- 
selves to this good work, the most renowned was the Rev. John Eliot, 
minister of Roxbury, usually called the Apostle of the Indians. There 
were at the time nearly twenty tribes of Indians in New England, but 
they were all of the sa»Tie great Algonquin nation, and their languages 
were much alike. Mr. Eliot set to work to study the language of the 
tribe nearest to him. There was no grammar or dictionary ; he had 
to make these for himself. But at last he mastered it so far that he 
could preach in it, and on the 28th of October, 1646, he preached to- 
the Indians at Nonantum, now Newton, the first sermon in their own 
tongue. And it is a curious fact that just about the same time a 
French missionary from Canada began to preach to the Indians on 
the Kennebec. 

These two good men met a few years later in friendly intercourse, 
each able to appreciate the labors of the other. 



TWO nCTURES IX CONTRAST. 223 

Eliot's sermon led to much inquiry, and the medicine men took 
alarm and tried in every way to stop his labors, but Eliot was un- 
daunted ; he visited all the Indians in Massachusetts and Plymouth 
Colonies as they then extended. Five years' labors bore their fruit. 
On a pleasant spot on Charles River a little town of Christian Indians 
had grown up, with its neat church amid the clustering wigwams. It 
was a wild village, for it was hard to civilize them, and they never 
took readily to the white man's way of working. Still Eliot labored on, 
the church was regularly organized, he printed the New Testament, 
and then the Bible, in their language^ and trained up several Indian 
ministers. His Bible was the first copy of the Scriptures printed 
in America, and was a work of immense difficult)-, as the Indian lan- 
guages are very different from those of Europe, and some of the words 
in it are so fearfully long that the very sight of them raises a laugh. 

Firm, zealous, benevolent, he was the father of the Indians, exer- 
cising an infiuence over them that no other missionary or other white 
man obtained ; and he was their constant protector. His delight was 
to be amono- his red children, instructintj them, tellintr of Christ and 
a better world. 

While this picture of Massachusetts history cannot but please us, 
there is another that is sad. Among the sects that arose in England 
was one founded by George Fox, the Society of Friends, commonly 
called Quakers. In England they met great opposition from the 
Established Church and the Puritans. When two of them arrived at 
Boston in 1656, the whole colony took fire. The trunks of the two 
Quakeresses were searched, their books were burned, they were 
examined as witches, imprisoned, and finally sent back to England, 
as several others were who came afterwards. A severe law was then 



2 24 



SEVERE LAWS AGAINST CATHOLICS. 



passed against them, and Quakers coming- in were fined and flogged ; 
the law even directed an ear to be cut off and the toncrue to be bored 
if they were convicted a second and third time. Growing more in- 
tolerant, they next made the penalty banishment, and if a banished 
Quaker set foot on the soil of the United Colonies, he was to die. 

Late in October, 1659, while the woods were a picture of beauty, in 
all the rich tints of autumn, a crowd gathered around a gallows erected 
at Boston, and Mary Dyar, an old adherent of Mrs. Hutchinson, with 
three other Quakers, was led out to die. The ropes were fastened 
around their necks, and they had prepared to die, when Mary was 
reprieved. " Let me suffer as my brethren," she cried, "unless you 
will annul your wicked law." But as her companions swung in the 
sight of heaven, they carried her beyond the limits of the colony. 
The resolute woman returned, and this time they hung her. 

Two others were condemned to die ; but the bold Wenlock Christi- 
son awed his very judges : " I demand to be tried by the laws of Eng- 
land, and there is no law there to hang Quakers ! " They sentenced 
him, but shrunk from hanging him. They expelled the staunch 
Christison and his companions. 

The Puritans were not the only sufferers in England : the penal laws 
passed against the Catholics, or adherents of the old Church, were 
of fearful severity and thej^ were enforced with rigor. At last Sir 
George Calvert, Lord Baltimore, a member of the Virginia Company, 
and highly esteemed by James L, having become a Catholic, resolved 
to found a colony where those who shared his opinions might freely 
worship God. An attempted settlement in Newfoundland failed. He 
then wished to colonize part of Virginia, but they would not admit him. 
Returning to England, he solicited from Charles L a Patent for ter- 



THE ARK, THE DOVE AND THE CROSS. 225 

ritory in America. He died while the affair was in progress, but on 
the 20th of June, 1632, a Charter of Terra Maria, or Maryland, was 
issued to his son, the new Lord Baltimore. This nobleman fitted out 
two vessels, The Ark and The Dove, in which two hundred emigrants, 
nearly all gentlemen of respectability, embarked with two clergymen, to 
found in the New World a colony, where they might freely worshipGod. 

They sailed in November. After a long and stormy wii*iter passage, 
in which the Ark was for a time at the mercy of the winds and waves, 
I they, late in February, came in sight of Point Comfort in Virginia. 

On the banks of the Potomac they found mighty forests, stretching 
as far as the eye could reach, a rich and fertile soil, a sweet and balmy- 
air. The natives came down with every mark ot hostility, but con- 
I fidence was soon established. 

On Blackstone Island they landed and threw up a little fort, March 

25th, 1634, divine service being devoutly offered up by Father 

' Andrew White, to consecrate their new colony to the Lord. The 

Governor, Leonard Calvert, then planted a cross, as the emblem of 

Christianity and civilization. 

The priests at once opened intercourse with the native chieTs, and 
Maryland so gained their good will, that the colonists never had any 
I trouble with the Indian tribes within its borders, to whom these eood 
men could announce the gospel. 

As their permanent settlement, Governor Calvert finally selected 
the village of the Yaocomico Indians, and, like Rocrer Williams, 
believing it necessary to purchase lands of the natives, he bought from 
I them their village and the country around. The Governor then took 
possession of the place, and named the town St. Mary's. The settlers 
at first occupied the Indian wigwams till they had erected houses. 



226 



THE INDIANS WON TO CHRISTIAMTV. 



Soon all was bustle and activity, building the guard-house and stores, 
into which all their goods were carried. While this work was pushed 
rapidly on, a small craft bore into their river the Governor of Vir- 
ginia. Calvert received him on his ship, and invited all the neigh- 
boring Indian chiefs to dine with them, seating the friendly King 
of Patuxent between himself and Governor Harvey. When the 
buildings were ready, the colonists landed with much pomp, with 
cannon firinsf and banners waving. A large Indian wigwam was the 
first church, and Maryland was from the first a religious colony, but 
one that offered to all who came, freedom to worship God according 
as their conscience directed. 

The Charter of Maryland gave the power to make laws to the free- 
men and the Lord Proprietor. The first Assembly met early in 1635. 
and another in 1638. In these some contention arose as to the right 
to propose the laws, but it was finally conceded to the colonists. 

The new settlement grew steadily, being formed of earnest, indus- 
trious men ; the Indians continued friendly. Tayac, King of the 
Piscatoways, having been won to civilization and Christianity, was 
solemnly baptized in a bark chapel at his town, in 1640; and Ana- 
coston, a neigfhborinof Sachem, came to live among the whites as one 
of them. 

The Susquehannas and the Indians on the eastern shore were 
enemies of the Christian Indians, whom the Marylanders had occasion- i 
ally to protect ; but the great trouble in the early annals of Mary- 
land was given by a man named Clayborne, who claimed as a prior 
settler under the Virginia Charter. During the civil war in England, 
Clayborne sided with the Parliament, and for a time got the upper 
hand in Maryland. 



THE GREATEST (JLORY UF MAKVLA.XU. 22" 

Governor Calvert was obliged to tly ; the clergy were seized and 
sent to England ; many of the settlers were robbed and banished ; 
but the Governor having raised a force in Virginia, crossed the 
Potomac, surprised the enemy, and re-entered St. Mary's in triumph. 
He died a few years after, and was buried at St. Mary's, regarded as 
a great and good man by the colony which he had founded. 

Under Governor Stone, in 1649, was held a famous Assembly, 
which established liberty of conscience " for all professing to believe 
in Jesus Christ." This is one of the greatest glories of Maryland, 
that men of all denominations of Christians there joined hands to- 
gether, worshiping God each according to the dictates of his own 
heart, none seekinsj to force another to change his views. 

Clayborne, for a time, overthrew Governor Stone, and in an As- 
sembly passed severe and cruel laws, totally unlike the mild and 
gentle spirit that had actuated the early settlers. Stone took up 
arms, but in a hard-fought battle, March 25th, 1655, was defeated, 
wounded, and taken prisoner by the Puritans, who put several of the 
prisoners to death in cold blood. 

Cromwell, to whom Lord Baltimore appealed, condemned the whole 
proceedings against Stone, and Fendall was appointed Governor. 

For a time progress was made towards restoring peace and harmou)-, 
but then Fendall began to plot against Lord Baltimore, and had ob- 
tained an appointment as Governor from the Assembly, when Crom- 
well died, and the authority of the Commonwealth came to an end. 



CHAPTER IX. 

The Indian Tribes — Their Divisions — Their Complexion — Habits — Dress — Houses and Mode 
of Life — Their Wars — Religion — No Domestic Animals — Their Care of the Dead — Hiero- 
glyphics — The Mound-Builders. 

We have seen how different the various colonies were in their 
origin. The Atlantic coast was settled by men of various nations, of 
various religious views, so that each colony had a peculiar character 
of its own. In the designs of Providence these were steps preparing 
for the blending of all into one nation, in another century to take its 
place among the proudest of the world. 

In tracing the rise of each little community, Indian tribes have 
been mentioned. A few words as to these people, whom our ances- 
tors found possessing the land, are here required ; for every one 
should know something of those who went before us. 

The Indians on the coast, from the mouth of the St. Lawrence to 
North Carolina, were all of one family, which is now called the Algon- 
quin. The tribes belonging to this family extended inland far beyond 
the utmost limits to which the English colonies then reached. The 
French, who were more daring, had by their missionaries and traders 
pushed by way of the St. Lawrence and the Lakes westward to Lake 
Superior. All along the way to the Lakes and the Mississippi they 
found tribes speaking dialects of the Algonquin, and none who did not, 
except one set of nations, who were completely surrounded by these 
Algonquins. The Algonquins and Adirondacks in Canada, the Chip- 
pewas, Ottawas, Pottowatomies, Illinois, and Miamis, at the West, 

the Narragansetts, Mohegans, and Pequods, of New England, the 

228 



THE INDIANS THEIR HABITS AND CUSTOMS. 229 

Mohegaiis of New York, the Delawares of Pennsylvania, the Pow- 
hatans, and most of the Virginia and Maryland tribes were Algon- 
quins, and resembled each other in their mode of life and the language 
they spoke. Surrounded by them were the Hurons, near the lake 
that bears that name, the Five Nations in New York, the powerful 
Susquehannas, the Nottoways in Virginia, with some smaller tribes^ 
and the Tuscaroras in Carolina. Near them lay the Cherokees, and 

' south again were the Creeks, or Muscogees, and the Choctaw tribes, 

\ with whom the Spaniards had most to do. 

These Indians were all much alike in color and habits, with differ- 

\ ences, of course ; some being a little more industrious, others more 
debased. Their color was nearly that of copper. Their only cloth- 
ing at first was skins, and this was very scanty : men in some parts 
wore only a breech-cloth, and women a short petticoat, sometimes 

I only of moss. The men looked with disdain on all work except war, 
hunting, or fishing; everything else was left to the women. The Al- 
gonquins depended almost entirely on hunting, and had no permanent 

i villages; moving about, pitching their tent-like wigwams of bark, or 
skins, or mats, as they chose, often suffering greatly in the severe 
winters. The Five Nations, Hurons, and other tribes of that family, 
were more industrious; they built pretty substantial bark houses, 
each to hold several families, and surrounded them all by a strong 

j palisade, sometimes two or three, one within the other. Around the 
top of the palisade, inside, they had stones to throw down on any 
enemy, and large bark vessels of water to prevent their setting fire to 

j the palisade. Outside were their fields, where they raised Indian 
corn, tobacco, squashes, and beans. 

They made their canoes, like their houses, of the bark of trees, and 



2 :o 



THE INDIANS THEIR SIMPLE ARTS. 



in some parts of the trunk of a tree, hollowed out. The Algonquins 
made the best canoes, using birch bark, while the Iroquois used 
elm bark. The Algonquins also made very useful and curious snow- 
shoes, an oval frame of wood, held together by a network of sinews. 
With these they traveled easily on the surface of the snow, without 
sinking, and in this way hunted in winter, overtaking the deer, whose 
sharp hoof cut through the frozen surface of the snow. 

The Indians knew nothing of the use of metals; native copper 
found at the West was r'udely fashioned into ornaments, but never 
into a cutting instrument. Their arrow and spear heads were made 
of stone, and these are still often dug up in some parts of the coun- 
try. Their hatchets, or tomahawks, were made also of stone, with a 
groove on each side, by which they were tied fast to the handle. 
Of course their houses were nearly destitute of what we would call 
furniture; they had no chairs, no tables, no bedsteads, and the 
young Indian girl had no looking-glass but the water of the nearest 
stream. They made bark vessels to hold water, or hollowed them 
out of a piece of wood ; in many parts they made rude pottery, but 
they had nothing that they could put over the fire. They boiled 
water by heating stones red hot, and dropping them into the vessel 
of water. The flesh of the animals they killed was broiled or roasted 
over the fire, or baked in a sort of oven made in the ground, a hole 
lined with stones. In this they built a fire, and when the stones were 
hot, they took out the fire, put the meat in, and covered it up close 
till it was cooked. In dressing the skins of animals they were quite 
expert, rendering them very soft and durable. 

Although so poorly of¥, both men and women were fond of finery, 
tatnoing and painting their faces and bodies with the most glaring 



THE INDIANS IN WAR AND BARTER. 23 1 

colors, made from plants or earths. Porcupine quills, feathers, the 
claws of birds and animals, all served to adorn their persons ; but 
what was the most precious thing to them, and served as decoration, 
and almost as monej', was wampum, a kind of beads made of the 
f- clamshell. Belts of this constituted wealth ; they were given at all 
treaties to confirm the different articles, and were the only thing that 
passed as money. After the whites came and began to buy furs, 
beaver skins were also in many colonies a kind of money, in tran.s- 
actions with the Indians and among the whites. 

In war the natives were very cruel ; they did not fight pitched 
• battles, but tried generally in small bands to surprise their enemy, or 
fi take them unawares. They killed men, women, and children, without 
distinction : if they took any prisoners they either adopted them 
into the tribe to take the place of some whom they had lost, or they 
i tortured them, tying them to a stake, burning them from head to 
I foot, cutting off and devouring their flesh before their eyes, and 
I continuing these tortures till the poor victim expired. The prisoner 
never asked mercy ; he sang his death-song, taunted his enemies, 

I! boasted how many he had killed and tortured, called them squaws 
I or women — in a word, did all he could to provoke them. 
j Their great trophy was the scalp of their enemies. As soon as an 
( enemy fell they ran up, and cutting the skin around just below the 
Ij hair, tore ofT the skin and hair together, with loud yells. In their 

i warlike expeditions they carried very little provisions, generally only 
parched Indian corn, and they endured hunger and hardship with 
I] great courage. 

j Their ideas of religion were very strange. The Algonquin nations 
f believed in spirits called Manitoo, so that they easily got the idea of 



2T,2 THE INDIANS BELIEF IN EVIL SPIRITS. 

God as the Kitchemanitoo, or Great Spirit. The Five Nations be- 
lieved in a god called Agreskoy. They worshiped him by sacrifices 
of animals and of prisoners taken in war. They all believed in evil 
spirits, and were more anxious to appease them than to worship the 
good. They had no temples or priesthood, at least among these 
Northern tribes. The only class that approached that of priests, 
were those whom white people called Medicine Men. 

They were the great propagators of all the superstitions ; they pre- 
tended to be in league with the evil spirits, and to be able to tell the 
future and cure diseases. They pretended that diseases were caused 
by evil spirits, and went through a series of horrible ceremonies and 
noises to drive them out. They attached great importance to dreams, 
and believed that if a person did not obtain what he dreamed of, it 
would cause sickness, and perhaps his death. 

An Indian chief once came to Sir William Johnson and told him 
that he had dreamed that Sir William had given him his fine red coat 
with orold-lace trimmings. Sir William found that he had to give it 
to him or the man's death might be laid to his charge. But he de- 
termined to be even with him. So, some time after, he met the old 
chief and told him that he had dreamed that their tribe had given 
him a laree tract of fine land that he had set his eye on. This made 
the Indian groan, but dreams were dreams ; the tribe gave the land, 
but asked that they should all now stop dreaming. 

The Indians had no domestic animals, no horses or cows, goats, 
sheep, or swine ; the only animal around their houses was the dog. 
They had, therefore, no carriages or wagons of any kind ; they had 
no roads but footpaths, or trails, leading from village to village, or to 
their fishing- stations. Along these all had to be carried on the backs 



THE INDIAN'S THEIR CARK UK ITIE DEAD. 2^,^ 

oi their women and prisoners. They were very expert with their 
canoes, and would run them down very dangerous rapids ; when 
they ascended the rivers, and came to falls and rapids, they took 
their light canoes out of the water and carried them on their shoul- 
ders above the difficult part. These jalaces the French called Port- 
ages, and the word has come into common use, although our ances- 
tors always called them Carrying Places. 

The Indians took great care of their dead. Some tribes buried 
infants under the trail leading out of the village ; some bent down a 
young tree and bound the child, wrapped up in skins, to the highest 
branch, and let it fly back again, so that the little one was far up from 
the wild beasts, among .the birds and blossoms. Generally each 
body, wrapped up, was buried in the ground or placed on a scaffold- 
ing near the village. When this was done, after some years there 
was a Feast of the Dead. The bones of their dead were taken down 
by each family, wrapped up in furs, and these, with some of their 
most valuable articles, were all buried toeether in a lone trench. 
Games and curious ceremonies continued for several days at these 
Feasts of the Dead. Occasionally, farmers and others, in digging, 
come on these Bone Pits, or Indian graves. 

What we have said of these tribes is true for all those who occupied 
any part of what is now embraced in our happy Republic, except 
I a small portion on the Rio Grande that is now called New Mexico. 

Our readers will remember their stranee houses of several stories, 
and their more extensive cultivation, as well as the advance they had 
made in civilization, weaving the wool of the Rocky Mountain sheep. 

None of the Indian tribes in our Northern parts had any system of 
writing; nothing but the rudest hieroglyphics on bark or skin, or 



234 



THE INDIANS — HIEROGLYPHICS — LANGUAGE. 



occasionally on stone, were ever attempted, and these told only of 
some hunting exploits or success in war. They had no monuments 
of any kind to preserve the memory of past events, no literature, 
and few tales or legends even of cffeat warriors and their deeds. 

Some strange traditions intermingled with wild dreams, as to the 
origin of men, and the life to come, or of the way in which the tribe 
reached the place where the whites found it — this was all. 

The Micmac Indians, near the Gulf of St. Lawrence, were the only 
tribe who had anything like a general system of hieroglyphics ; and 
theirs has been preserved, and is still in use, missionaries finding it 
such a help, that books have been printed in it. 

In Mexico the system of hieroglyphics was very full, and much of 
their history is preserved in monuments that can still be read. The 
Peruvians preserved a knowledge of events by knotted cords, called 
qiiipos, but this plan was far inferior to the Mexican. 

The languages of the Indian tribes were very different from any 
known to Europeans, and the construction of their sentences was so 
different, that it was found almost impossible to give anything like a 
close translation. The missionaries who, for the love of God, set to 
work to learn these languages, in order to preach Christ to these poor 
benighted people, had terrible work at first. They had to go to the 
cabins and learn the names of things, and so keep on, day by day, till 
they had a good stock of words, and could try to talk some, writing 
clown all they could to help others. Of these missionaries, Pareja, in 
Florida ; Sagard, Brebeuf, Chaumonot, Bruyas, Rale, in Canada ; 
Eliot, Roger Williams, Edwards, in New England ; Campanius, in 
New Sweden, and White, in Maryland, were in the earliest times those 
who succeeded best in masterinsf these lancruasfes. 



THE INDIANS SUCCEED THE MOUND BUILDERS. 235 

? This will give some idea of these tribes as they were first found. 

I The whites supplied them with iron articles, and cloth, which they 

" *ised instead of furs ; they also, unfortunately, sold them liquor, and 

this the Indians never could use in moderation. It led them into 

great crimes, drunkenness and murder, often causing the death of 

white settlers and so bringing on wars. 

If one Indian killed another, they always made it up by presents of 
wampum. When they killed a white man they wished to do the same, 
_, •" cover the body," as they said, with presents. But the whites would 
i> insist on punishing the man. The Indians did not understand this, 
and would refuse to give him up. They thought it hard that if liquor 
given by white men set an Indian so crazy that he killed a white man, 
ill they must have their warrior killed ; they thought their plan of pres- 
' ents best. The French generally adapted themselves better to the 
Indian style, and in such cases took presents and maintained peace, 
■while the Dutch and English drew on themselves disastrous wars. 
' All the Indian tribes had traditions that they had come from a 
I -distance, generally from the West or Northwest, towards the Atlantic 
■coast. As the country became more settled, white people discovered 
I mounds in various parts, some of them very curious in shape, like 
I birds, animals, or men, in Wisconsin ; in rings and lines in other parts ; 
{ in the South like pyramids of steps. These seem to be the work of 
I tribes who were in the country before the Indians. Some of them con- 
tained remains of the dead, with articles curiously carved, showing 
much more skill than any Indians we know, and sometimes very good 
j figures of birds and animals of the tropics. As we do not know any- 
thing more about these people than what the mounds tell us, they are 
•generally called the Mound-Builders. 



PART II, 



THE COLONIES FROM THE REIGN OF CHARLES II. TO THE 
REIGN OF GEORGE III. 



CHAPTER I. 



The English Kings and Parliament begin to take part in American Affairs — General View of 
the Country — Reign of Charles II. — Connecticut and Rhode Island receive Charters — Philip's' 
Indian War — New York — Penn founds Pennsylvania — Carolina founded — Virginia and 
Maryland. 

All the colonies established on the Atlantic shore had been settled 
under Patents granted by European Governments, but the English 
monarchs, from the days of Queen Elizabeth to those of Charles, had 
not concerned themselves much about America after sionine the 
Patents and affixing their great seal. People whom nobody missed 
had gone over there to settle in a wild country among savage men, and 
that was all about it. Cromwell tried to get the Puritans to leave 
New England, and settle in the West Indies and in Ireland. Under 
him, too, the Puritans attempted to obtain the mastery in Maryland, 
and he shipped many thousands from England, and especially from 
Ireland, who were sold as slaves in the colonies. 

When Charles II. came to the throne, the colonies of New England, 

Maryland, and Virginia had so increased, that their importance could | 

not be overlooked. Maryland and Virginia hailed with joy the Res-' 

toration of the royal power, but Massachusetts lamented the fall of the ! 

236 



A XKW KRA OK LIBERALITY. . 237 

Puritan Commonwealth, and looked forward with anxiety to the 
course of the new King. It was known that the Quakers and others 
had made great complaints in England of their severity and strictness. 
They sought to avert the storm b\- an address to the King, but did 
not comply with the recommendations contained in his letter of reply. 
Winthrop, Governor of Hartford, a man of learning, polished and 
adroit, went to England, and was so favorably received by Charles II., 
that he obtained a very favorable Charter, establishing the new colony 
of Connecticut, embracing not only Hartford but New Haven also. 

The colonists of New Haven were highly indignant at this step, 
but, though supported by Massachusetts, were at last forced to sub- 
mit to the new arrangement. 

Less obstinate in his views, Winthrop had seen the wisdom of 
( making their system agree more with that of England, by giving the 
'1 right to vote more freely, and not confining It to their own church- 
^ members. 

! The famous Charter issued May loth, 1662, established "The 
Governor and Company of the English Colony of Connecticut in 
New England in America." The Governor and House of Deputies 
were to be elected every year. 
, Clarke had been no less prompt to secure favorable terms for the 
i colony of Roger Williams, and on the 8th of July, In the same year, 
i Charles II. Issued another Charter, creating the "English Colony 
J of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations." 

i These Charters gave the first tokens of a new era of liberality. 
I They provided that no person within the said colonies should be 
I molested or called in question for any difference in matters of religion 
I which did not actually disturb the civil peace. 



238 COMMISSIONERS AND SHIPS-OF-WAR. 

While these colonies were organized under their new Charters, 
Massachusetts and Plymouth remained firm. They gave fair words, 
but did not comply with the King's wishes, or adapt their forms to the 
English laws. 

Charles did not act precipitately. He was a man of pleasure, but 
his brother James, Duke of York, was a man of system, as well as 
great industry, and had displayed bravery on sea and land. He took 
a lively interest in American affairs, and the commerce of England. 
He seems to have been the first who had any enlarged views of the 
Enorlish interests in America. 

New England and Maryland were separated by the Dutch colony, 
and the French in Canada were very active and energetic. Their 
missionaries and traders were already busy south of Lake Ontario, and 
they had made one attempt to settle there. If these pushing French- 
men got possession of the Dutch colony, it would give the English no 
end of trouble. So James hunted up English claims for New Nether- 
land, and obtained from Charles H., on the 12th of March, 1664,3 
Charter ofrantine him all the territory between the Connecticut and 
the Delaware, and also of the tract between the Rivers Pemaquid 
and St. Croix, in what is now the State of Maine. The Dutch had 
settled the larger tract, and had occupied it for many }ears ; England 
and Holland, were at peace, but this did not weigh much. 

Commissioners were appointed and sent over, with several ships of 
war and a body of soldiers. They were to land first at Boston and 
present a letter from the King, asking, among other things, the aid 
of the colonies to reduce the Dutch. 

At the close of a long summer day, as the Sabbath stillness in 
Boston was beginning, two ships of war, the Guinea and Elias, came to 



VOLUNTEERS AGAINST THE DUTCIU 239 

anchor off the Long Wharf at Boston. They were the first vessels of 
the English navy that had ever seen that harbor. 
pl A General Court was called. After some delay an order was issued 
for two hundred volunteers against the Dutch. They also modified 
I somewhat their laws, allowing men not church-members to vote under 
certain conditions, but these were such that few could benefit by 
them. 

(The expedition sailed for New Netherland, and, as we have already 
, seen, reduced that colony, which became New York. The flag of 
England soon floated from the Kennebec to the Chesapeake, and the 
■ English King could look with pride on the new country rising beyond 
I the Atlantic, where the laws, the language, and the spirit of England 
ij were to be perpetuated. 

I There was even for a moment the project of coiii]U(:-ring Canada, and 
j thus making England supreme in the northern portion of America. 
i Life in these colonies differed greatly. New England was strict 
and sombre. Amusements were almost unknown. Christmas and 
I other holidays, kept up in England, and on this side in Virginia and 
Maryland, with great merriment, were forbidden. Dancing, and all 
games of cards or dice, even bowlinfj and other games of exercise, 
were prohibited as well, while in Virginia the richer planters lived the 
hfe of the English gentry, and sports were freely indulged in. Vir- 
ginia raised tobacco and smoked it freely, but in New England it was 
a serious matter, especially on Sunday. The strict observance of that 
day was the great point of New England life. It began on Saturday 
', at sunset, and lasted till the sun set aoain. Durino-that time no child 
] could play in the streets, no travelling was permitted. All had to attend 
I the meeting-house in the place. But though religion was thus oIj- 



240 BLUE I.A\VS AGAINST HOLIDAYS. 

served, there were some points in which their customs seem strange 
now. They had, at first, nothing like Sabbath-schools for catechising 
the young ; and the children of church-members only were baptized. 
The marriage and the funeral took place without the presence of a 
clergyman, which is now so general. 

We have seen how they broke up Morton's settlement at Merry 
Mount, and one of his great offences in their eyes was his planting a 
Maypole and keeping up Mayday. 

In Virginia the Church of England prevailed, and its services were 
performed regularly, without question or dispute. Maryland had 
Episcopalians, Puritans, and Catholics. In New York, with its Dutch 
population, into which some English had already crept, the people were 
strict Calvinists, adhering to the Church in Holland, and under the 
Dutch rule no other worship was allowed by law ; but the people were 
good-natured, and seldom troubled their neighbors about relieious 
matters. They loved enjoyment in a quiet way, and dancing and 
merry-making never came amiss. They kept up the holidays of the old 
country, with some sports that occasionally brought laws to check them, 
such as goose-pulling and pail-tipping. Paas, or Easter, Christmas, 
and New Years, were the great holidays. The last was devoted to 
visits to each other, and in every house a table was spread with good 
things for the guests. Christmas was the holiday of little ones, who 
expected from St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus, a visit with presents if they 
had been good, or, if they had been naughty, a rod from Ruprecht. 

The colonists had always found a difficulty in the want of money, 
and tobacco, beaver-skins, wampum, or peague, were at times used as 
substitutes. Lord Baltimore struck in England coins for Maryland, 
which are now very rare, and prized by collectors. Massachusetts 



THE MINT-MASTER HIS DAUGHTERS DOWRY. 24I 

struck the first coins issued In America. These are known as Pine 

i Tree money, as they bear on one side a rude figure of a pine-tree. 

The first pieces struck were plain pieces of silver, with NE and XII 

or VI stamped on them, but in October, 1652, the General Court of 

Massachusetts directed the establishment of a mint, and authorized 

the striking of shilling, six-penny, and three-penny pieces. They bore 

a double ring, enclosing a tree with the word Masathvsets around, 

r and on the other side. New England, 1652. 

The striking of these coins gave offence in England, as only sover- 
eigns are considered as entitled to coin money, and in this country now 
only the United States Government, by the Constitution, has this 
right. 
! Mr. Hull was the mint-master of Massachusetts, and received a 
( certain percentage for all the money he struck. This gave rise to a 
, I curious story that is told about him and the Pine Tree shillines. 
( When his daughter w'as married to Mr. Sewell, the father said nothing 
about any portion for her. But the marriage went on, and while all 
the guests were congratulating the married couple, in the way that 
Puritan fashions permitted, in came two serving-men lugging huge 
scales, such as are used in warehouses. Old Mr. Hull made his 
daughter get into one scale, which she did with open eyes and mouth, 
' wondering whether she was to be sold by the pound ; but the servants 
i came back, lugging an iron-bound chest, which, at his direction, they 
emptied on the floor, and out came the fresh, flashing Pine Tree 
shillings. Then the chest was put in the scale, and the shillings filled 
in till the young lady rose gradually from the floor, and swung easily, 
j just balancing her weight in silver. " There, son Sewell," cried the 
I good mint-master, "take these shillings as my daughter's portion. 



242 CROSS Op- ST. GEORGE AT NEW AMSTERDAM. 

Use her kindly, and thank Heaven for her, for it is not every wife 
that is worth her weight in silver." 

Another story relating to these pieces is also told. After the Res- 
toration, the coining of this Pine Tree money was made one of the 
charges against Massachusetts. The agent of the colony took one of 
the later issues, in which the rude tree was rather bushy, and pre- 
sented it to the King, telling him that his faithful subjects in Massa- 
chusetts had put the oak-tree on their coin to commemorate his escape 
from his enemy by hiding in an oak-tree. "Jolly dogs," said the 
Merry King, " jolly dogs ! " and he made no further trouble about the 
matter. 

When Stuyvesant, on the 29th of August, 1664, at the head of his 
Dutch garrison, marched out of the little earthen Fort Amsterdam with 
colors flying, drums beating, and matches lighted, he led his sullen 
troops down Beaver Street, to the North River, to embark on the 
West India Company's ship Gideon. Then, while the people, 
whose houses clustered around the fort, looked on, the red flag of 
England, with the cross of St. George, was run up the flagstaff" of 
Fort James and saluted by the guns of the English fleet, and the 
Lord High Admiral was the Proprietor of New York. 

Colonel Richard Nicolls, as Governor, established the Duke's laws 
for the government of the colony. When Sunday came, after the 
Dutch had ended their service in the church within the fort, the chap- 
lain of the English forces performed the services of the Church of 
England, and for many years this one edifice served for both ; nor 
has the kindly feeling then established ever been disturbed. 

Fort Orange surrendered to Colonel Cartwright, who immediately 
formed a treaty with the Mohawks and Senecas, and the change of pos- 



CAPTAIN CARTERET AND HIS HOE. 245 

session throughout was effected so promptly that a French expedition 
against the Mohawks were thunderstruck, as they approached Fort 
Orange, to find floating over it the red flag of England. It had be- 
come Albany, a name given in honor of the Duke's Scotch title. 

One of the first thinirs that marked the chancre of ideas was the 
establishment of a race-course on Hempstead Plains, Long Island. It 
continued for many years to be the favorite annual resort of the 
Governors of New York and of the Long Island farmers. 

The Duke of York wished to extend colonization, and readily 
granted, June 23d, 1664, to John, Lord Berkeley, and Sir George 
Carteret a part of his newly-acquired territory, giving it the name of 
New Jersey, in compliment to Carteret, who had gallantly defended 
the Island of Jersey against Cromwell. 

Under this grant. Captain Philip Carteret came out with a small 
body of settlers in the Philip, in 1665, and in August landed at the 
head of his colonists on the soil of New Jersey, with a hoe on his 
shoulder, to show that he was to become a planter himself. The spot 
chosen as the capital of the new colony was a spot on the Kills, where 
four families had already planted themselves under authority from 
Nicolls. Carteret named the spot Elizabethtown, in honor of the 
wife of Sir George. 

But the Dutch were not going to let the English have their Ameri- 
can colony without a struggle. They prepared to meet England on 
the sea, but the Duke of York, with a fleet which included some of 
the ships and officers who reduced New York, defeated the Dutch 
Admiral Opdam at Lowestoff. Then France joined Holland, and 
the war became general. 

The Duke of York at once sent over to Nicolls to try, with the aid 



244 THE DUTCH GIVE UP NEW YORK. 

of New England, to reduce Canada, with which the Mohawks were 
already at war. 

This was the first English project against Canada. But Massa- 
chusetts and Connecticut declined to act in the matter. Canada 
was so far away, beyond rocky mountains and howling deserts, that 
it would be impossible to march there. Some mounted men were 
sent out from Hartford, who went a hundred and twenty miles to 
find the way to Canada, but came back disheartened. 

The French made an alliance with the Onondagas, and built forts 
on the Richelieu, and Fort St. Anne on La Motte Island, in Lake 
Champlain. This last post, begun in July, 1666, was the first white 
settlement in what was one day to be the State of Vermont. 

Soon after, the French, to reduce the Mohawks to peace, invaded 
their canton and burned their towns. There was little chance of the 
English reducing Canada. 

Nicolls even began to feel uneasy for New York. The Dutch, 
after defeating: an Ens^lish fleet in the Thames, were scourincr the 
Atlantic. A Dutch fleet under Krynssen captured an English man- 
of-war and twenty-five other vessels on the James River, and filled 
Virfrinia with consternation. 

But the war came to an end, and, at the treaty of Breda, Holland 
gave up all claim to New York. 

Still the peace did not last long. Again the English and Dutch 
fleets meet in battle at Solebay, ofi the English coast, and the Duke 
of York fought with courage, Colonel Nicolls, his first New York 
Governor, being killed by his side in the action. 

In 1673, two Dutch admirals, Evertsen and Binckes, entered the 
Chesapeake, and captured a tobacco fleet in spite of the frigates that 



lULIET AND FATHER MAKQUETTE. 245 

protected it. Then they sailed for New York, and in August anchored 
near Staten Island. 

Lovelace, the new English Governor, was in Connecticut, and Man- 
ning, the commander of Fort James, was too weak to cope with such 
a force ; but though the fleet was within musket-shot of the fort, he 
refused to surrender. The fleet then opened fire, and Fort James re- 
plied ; but six hundred Dutch soldiers landed, back of where Trinity 
Church now stands, and, encouraged by the Dutch settlers, advanced 
to storm the fort, which, seeing no hope of resistance, surrendered, 
and the Dutch flag floated again over the place. 

New Jersey became again part of New Netherland. The eastern 
end of Lono; Island alone resisted the Dutch, with aid from Connec- 
ticut, but the Dutch captured many New England coasting vessels, and 
excited alarm all along the coast. The Treaty of Westminster came at 
last, in 1674, by which England recovered a province of such immense 
importance to her. 

But during this time France had not been idle. She not only by 
her missionaries had won the Onondagas and other western cantons, 
but had built Fort Frontenac on Lake Ontario, and extended her 
missions and explorations to the country around the great Lakes. All 
the tribes learned to look with respect to the Governor of Canada, 
Ononthio, and the King of France, the Great Ononthio, as the Iro- 
quois called him. 

In 1673, Joliet, a young French Canadian, accompanied by Father 
Marquette, a pious missionary, descended the Wisconsin to the Mis- 
sissippi, and glided down that river in their bark canoe, till they came 
to the towns of the friendly Arkansas. Then, seeing that this great 
river must empty into the Gulf of Mexico, and afraid that they might 



246 



SIEUR DE LA SALLE AND HIS FORTUNES. 



fall into the hands of the Spaniards, they slowly paddled their way up 
against the strong current, and ascending the Illinois River, reached 
Lake Michigan. 

The illustrious Marquette set out later to winter among the Illinois, 
and plant a mission ; but his health failed. He planted his rude cabin 
at Chicago, the first white habitation at the place, but though he 
recovered sufficiently to go on to the town of the Kaskaskias, he died 
by the shore of Lake Michigan, as he was striving to reach Mackinaw. 

Robert Cavelier, better known as the Sieur de la Salle, followed up 
Marquette and Joliet. He was commandant of Fort Frontenac at 
Toronto ; he threw up a fort at Niagara, and there built the Griffin, 
the first vessel that ever navigated the waters of Lake Erie, intending 
to carry on a great trade in furs, of which he had the monopoly. 

He reached Illinois, and there built Fort Crevecoeur, or Broken 
Heart, for his troubles began. The Griffin, sent back from Mackinaw, 
was never seen again — lost in a storm or destroyed by Indians. He 
made his way back to Fort Frontenac almost alone, and led out a new 
party, only to find his fort abandoned and his men scattered. He 
finally, however, descended the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico in 
1682. Hennepin, a Franciscan friar connected with his expedition, 
had already, in 1680, ascended the Mississippi to the Falls of St. 
Anthony, which owes its name' to him. 

La Salle then returned to France and fitted out an expedition to 
found a settlement at the mouth of the Mississippi, but he missed it, 
and was landed on the coast of Texas. While trying to reach the 
Mississippi overland, he was killed by his own men. 

By these discoveries France claimed all the north and interior of 
North America, and was hemming England close in to the Atlantic 



STRUGGLE BETWEEN FRANCE AND ENGLAND. 247 

coast. Long after this, French maps showed the EngHsh colonies as a 
httle strip on the shore, while half of North America was New France. 

New England, on religious grounds, did not like the French as 
neiehbors in what is now Maine and Nova Scotia, but did not see her 
oreat danger. Virginia was too far from the frontier, but the Duke of 
York saw the necessity of action. On recovering New York, his 
instructions to his Governors, Andros and Dongan, were to keep the 
French north of the lakes, to win the Five Nations to the English 
side, and to occupy Maine. 

This began the great struggle between France and England for 
the control of North America. 

While New York was again rapidly becoming more like the neigh- 
boring English colonies. New Jersey began to grow. Berkeley, one 
of the owners, sold his share to two Quakers, one of whom, Fenwick, 
in July, 1675, founded Salem, on the Delaware, and, as this part was 
set off as a separate colony, called West Jersey, many of their fellow- 
believers settled there. Carteret then grew tired of his American 
interests, and sold out to a number of Quakers, of whom William 
Penn was the chief one. They obtained a new grant from the Duke 
of York, and founded Perth Amboy. All these things brought out 
settlers. Baptists from New England settled at Middletown Point ; 
Presbyterians at Newark and Elizabethtown ; so that New Jersey 
presented a greater variety in its settlers than any other colony, and 
what is best of all, they lived in peace. 

But while New York and New Jersey were thus gaining, New 
I England was suddenly plunged into a terrible war. The labors of the 
missionaries to convert the Indians had not met with any success 
among the great Southern tribes, the Pokanokets, or Wampanoag, the 



248 KING PHILIP BEGINS WAR. 

Niantics, the Narragansetts, and Mohegans. Massasoit, chief of the 
Pokanokets, left two sons, Wamsutta and Metacom, who, wishing 
EngUsh names, received from the Court at Plymouth the names of 
Alexander and Philip. The latter was soon sole chief, and for some 
years maintained a friendly attitude : but he was gloomy, and looked 
with no favor on the rapid increase of the English. Gradually sus- 
picions and rumors of Indian plots came. 

One day John Sausman, an Indian preacher at Natick, who had 
long lived with Philip, came hastening in to Plymouth. He had just 
paid a visit to his old friend the chief, and what he saw told him that 
Philip meant mischief. The chief of the Pokanokets was summoned. 
He obeyed, but in a few days Sausman was found murdered. Three 
Indians were arrested for the crime, tried, and executed, to the great 
indignation of the red men. In their eyes Sausman was a. traitor, 
deserving death. The three men had obeyed the orders of their 
chief, and the Indians demanded vengeance. 

On the 20th of June, 1675, while the little village of Swanzey lay in 
all the stillness and quiet of a New England Sabbath, the wild yell of 
the native braves proclaimed that a deadly war had begun. Two 
houses in flames showed the alarmed people that all was in danger. 
Men gathered together in the strongest houses ; watches were set ; 
but the Indians clustered around the town, house after house was 
pillaged, and every incautious man cut down and Scalped. 

The Indians were armed with good muskets, and were as expert in 
handling them as any white. They were, then, no mean foe. As the 
news came in, a force was raised and marched under Captain Moseley, 
an old West Indian buccaneer, to punish the Indians. Philip attacked 
them on the march and even advanced on them in force, but was 



BROOKFIELD SAVED FROM THE INDIANS. 249 

driven off. Then that chief left Mount Hope, and with his flying 
army began ravaging the Plymouth territory. Fires blazed from Dart- 
I mouth, Taunton, and Middleborough. The roadsides were dotted 
with the bodies of settlers slain in their fields or tomahawked by the 
Indians as they hurried them along. Savage, entering Mount Hope, 
found eight heads of settlers set up on poles. 

Meanwhile the settlers were endeavorino- to win over the Narrao-an- 
setts, hoping to keep that important tribe from joining the hostile 
Indians; but, though they gave fair words, other tribes unexpectedly 
flew to arms. Captain Hutchinson, sent to Brookfield to induce the 
Nipmuck Indians to be peaceful, fell into an ambush. The Nipmucks 
had already taken up the hatchet, and Philip was soon in their midst, 
, I fierce for slaughter, and desperate in his plans. 

!( Brookfield was besieged. A large house had been fortified, and the 
I survivors of Hutchinson's party and the settlers were all huddled 
I together there. The messengers for aid who were sent out perished, 
I and all around the house seemed alive with the furious foe. All 
night long the blazing arrows came down on the devoted house, 
and it required every eye and every hand to prevent a conflagra- 
i.j tion. 

1 The Indians pushed up combustibles to the house, and sought to fire 
I it, but by brave sallies the garrison drove them off and extinguished 
: the flames. Then, to the joy of all their thankful hearts, the rain came 
^1 pouring down, and they could rest and hope. 

Just after sunset, on that fifth August day, their hearts bounded : 
they heard afar the clatter of many hoofs, and amid a rattling fire from 
I the Indians, in rode old Major Willard, a gray-haired veteran, with 
i forty-seven heavy-armed men. Brookfield was saved, and the Indians, 

\ 



250 COLONEL GOFFE AT HADLEY. 

who had lost nearly eighty in killed and wounded, retired to their 
swamps and fastnesses. 

Every town in New England was now in alarm, and prepared to 
meet a sudden attack. 

The wily enemy stole cautiously about, never attacking where 
they saw preparations. Thus the summer wore away. On the ist of 
September the people of Hadley were gathered in their meeting-house 
for a solemn fast, and their good fire-locks were stacked along the 
aisle, when a yell showed that they were surrounded. Out they 
rushed to meet the enemy, but the affair was so sudden that all was 
confusion, and they would have been shot down like sheep, had not 
a white-haired man of old-fashioned dress suddenly appeared. Like 
some veteran commander he gave the word in a clear, ringing voice. 
Order was restored ; one good volley into the Indian foe, and a 
headlong charge with pike and sword sent them flying from the town. 
The men of Hadley looked around for their champion and deliverer, 
but he had vanished as mysteriously as he had come. 

Long after, the mystery was solved. Colonel Goffe, one of the three 
judges of Charles L, who fled to New England, was then concealed in 
Mr. Russel's house in Hadley. As all were in the meeting-house, he did 
not fear observation, and went to a window to enjoy a look at the beau- 
ties of creation, which he so seldom gazed upon. He had seen the sav- 
ages come stealing in Indian file over the hill and down upon them. 
Full of his old ardor he rushed to the spot in time to form the col- 
onists, and lead them to victory. Then he fled to his concealment. 

There was another desperate fight at Bloody Brook. So little of the 
crops planted in New England could be gathered, that after Hadley | 
was abandoned, a party was sent to finish threshing the grain already 



MASSACRE AT BLOODY BROOK. 25 I 

ill tlie barns. As the well-loaded wagons were slowly fording Bloody 
Brook on their return, the men stopped to gather wild grapes that 
huHfj from the vines festooning the dense trees. From every side 
poured out a stream of fire. The forest was alive with Indians. 

Down, down, went the brave fellows ! Scarce a man escaped. Old 
Moseley at Hadley heard the firing, hastened up, and attacked the 
Indians in their work of scalping and plundering; but though, as usual 

1 in battle, his wig was hung on a bush and got many a bullet intended 
for his head, Moseley could not drive them off. They seemed count- 
less. Towards night, when his men were ready to drop with weari- 
ness, they heard the roll of the drum. iVIajor Treat had come down 
the river with a hundred sturdy men and fifty faithful Mohegans. 
Then, at last, they drove the enemy from Bloody Brook. 

Scarcely a Massachusetts settlement was left on the Connecticut. 

I Springfield was saved with difificulty, after seeing many fine dwellings 
in flames. 

The Narragansetts had, at first, promised peace, but they pro- 

] tected Philip's men, and the danger was that at an unguarded moment 
they might dash down on the settlements. The colonies resolved 
to take the first step. The Narragansetts were called upon to renew 
the peace. They held aloof in sullen silence. All through New 
England troops gathered for the attack on this powerful tribe, and 
the Narragansetts concentrated the warriors of their tribe and ;Ulies 
from far and near, at the swamp-fort in South Kingston. Here, on 
an island reached only by a frail bridge, stood their wigwams, en- 

j closed in well-planted rows of palisades. 

( Through the dreary snow-covered land and leafless forests, the army 
of the colonists marched, with no shelter at night, wading through the 



252 POWER OF THE NARRAGANSETTS BROKEN. 

drifts by day. At noon, on the 19th of December, they came in sight 
of the fort, and without delay formed to attack it. On in the van 
went the men of Massachusetts, Plymouth and Connecticut support- 
ing. A general yell burst from the enclosed Narragansetts ; it was an- 
swered by the hearty cheers of the New England men. The marks- 
men, picking their antagonists, opened fire on both sides. Down in 
the storm of flame and bullet went many a brave leader, but the 
colonists dashed into the fort ; the Narragansetts, nerved to despair, 
crowded down upon them. Foot by foot, with gallant men falling, 
the New Englanders were forced back out of the fort that had cost 
so much. They gathered In set determination. Another rush, and 
they are in again, never to be dislodged. The wigwams were fired, 
and ere long they held the ruined fort, strewn with the dead bodies 
of hundreds of the foe, and of seventy of their own brave men, while 
a hundred and fifty more lay writhing in pain. 

With the snow falling fast around them, the army took up its home- 
ward march, bearing on rude litters their wounded. 

The power of the Narragansetts was forever broken. 

The war continued all along the frontier. Lancaster was taken 
while the minister, Rowlandson, was seeking relief, and his wife's !| 
sufferings forma pathetic story. Captain Pierce, of Plymouth, lured 
into ambush by Canonchet, perished with most of his force. Town 
after town had to be abandoned. But the Indians began to suffer for 
food, and had to scatter more widely. In the spring they received 
a terrible blow from Denison of Connecticut, who defeated several 
Narragansett parties, and captured the great Canonchet and two 
other sachems. The haughty chief refused to submit, and was put to 
death by the Mohegans. 



CAPTAIN TURNERS ATTACK AND DEATH. 253 

In May, Captain Turner, forgetting all he had suffered as a Baptist, 
crallantly led a force from Boston. A long night-march brought them 
at daybreak to an Indian camp at the falls that have ever since borne 
his name. Dismounting, they secured theit- horses, and, as stealthily 
as Indians themselves, glided up to the camp of their savage enemy, 
who became aware of their presence only by the volley that poured in 
among them. The scene that followed is one not easily described. 
It was one in which wild confusion, despair, and frenzied efforts were 
blended. The surprise was complete. The resistance was short and 
irregular. The Indians taken at a disadvantage, the rapid stream 
before them made escape hopeless ; the white men almost encircled 
them. Man, woman, and child eagerly sought the covers ; most 
were cut down, while some, seeking to escape by swimming the 
river, were hurried over the falls or shot in the water. Three 

( hundred Indians fell, and the largest supply of provisions and am- 
munition that the hostile tribes possessed was destroyed. But while 

I the New Englanders were exulting over this victory, the woods again 
re-echoed the fierce yell of the red man, and a fresh body of Indians 
dashed upon them, surprising them as completely as they had sur- 
prised. Fortunately, Turner was able to keep his men in good order ; 
they steadily fought their way through, and, recovering their horses, 
began their retreat. The whole country swarmed with Indians. Their 
march was under constant fire, and brave Captain Holyoke, covering 
the retreat, suffered terribly, though he fought like a hero, and 
charged the Indians repeatedly, driving them to their coverts. 

j Turner was killed while crossing Green River, and Holyoke led the 

( survivors of his gallant band to Hatfield, which the Indians soon 
after attacked. 



254 A GLORIOUS BATTLE-WEEK. 

Major Talcot, of Connecticut, also showed himself a good Indian 
fighter, in his defense of Hadley, and in his glorious battle-week in 
June, when he defeated the Indians in four different engagements, 
leaving two hundred and fifty of their braves stark on the soil. So 
heavy were his blows that for the first time Indians came in and sub- 
mitted to the mercy of the whites. 

In all these battles and fights, Philip, the prime mover of all, was 
never seen by the New Englanders, and it was not certainly known 
where he was ; but in the second year, when the spirit of the Indians 
was broken, he appeared and was nearly captured in a fight in which 
several of his family were killed or taken, and he himself escaped only 
by flinging away even his ammunition. Captain Church, a famous 
Indian fighter, was close on his track, and Philip's band, almost all 
relatives of his own, was daily thinned. The Sachem seems to have 
come back to die at his ancient home. His wife and son were soon 
captured, to be sold into West Indian slavery. His comrades began 
to despair. One talked of submission. Philip slew him. The 
brother of his victim fled to Church, and guided his troops to Mount 
Hope. They reached the spot at midnight, and lay down in the 
bushes. When day broke the Indians perceived that they were sur- 
rounded, and attempted to cut their way through. At one point an 
Englishman, and Alderman, a friendly Indian, were posted. Philip, 
half dressed, dashed past them ; both fired ; the Englishman's gun 
missed, but Alderman's sent a bullet through the heart of the chief. 
He fell upon his face in the mud and water, with his gun under him. 

The great Philip, last of the Pokanokets, or Wampanoags, was no 
more. With a cruelty learned from the Indians, they mangled the 
remains of the once haughty sachem. His hands were carried as 



A CRUEL ACT OF TREACHERY. 255 

trophies to Boston, and his head to Plymouth, where it was exposed 
upon a pole on Thanksgiving Day. Many Indians, especially Pray- 
ing Indians, who had joined the enemy, were then hanged, and for 
months the gibbet was never without a victim. Others were shipped 
i off to the West Indies and sold as slaves, to toil away their lives be- 
neath the sun of the tropics. 

This ended the war in that part of New England ; but along the 
coast of Maine, where the Indians had many private wrongs to com- 
plain of, the war still raged furiously, till not an English settlement 
remained from Casco Bay to the Penobscot. A little fort on 
I Arrovvsick Island was taken by a bold stratagem. The Indians stole 
up to the sentinel, and as he turned to enter the fort before his suc- 
cessor came out, they rushed into the fort with him, and cut down 
1' nearly all the garrison in a few moments. 

' ' During one of the lulls of the war in this section, a party of four 
hundred Indians came to York and proposed peace to Major Wald- 
ron, the commander there. He got up a sham fight the next day, 
near the fort. When the Indians had fired their muskets, he sur- 
rounded them with his men and took the whole party prisoners. 
Half of them he allowed to go, the rest were sent to Boston, thence 
to the West Indies, to be sold as slaves. This cruel act of treachery 
the Indians never foreave ; it rendered them more furious. York, 
Wells, Black Point, were destroyed, and the midnight sky was 
lighted up with blazing houses and barns. They even ventured out 
in boats and captured twenty fishing vessels, killing all on board. 

At last, peace was made at Casco, in April, 1678, with Madocka- 
wando and other Eastern chiefs.and NewEngland could breathefreely. 

Sad was the change in the happ\' smiling landscape, w'here industry 



256 MASSACHUSETTS IN GREAT DISTRESS. 

and thrift had built up so fair a colony. Ten or twelve towns had 
been utterly destroyed ; forty others, more or less burned down ; five 
or six hundred stalwart men had fallen in battle or been cut down 
unawares, or, worst of all, had perished amid all the refinements of 
Indian torture. As you rode along, you met everywhere scenes of 
desolation, ruin, and distress. Every family was in mourning, thou- 
sands were destitute, the public debts of the colonies were more than 
all the personal property. 

While Massachusetts was in this distress, she began to reap the 
reward of her refusal to modify her institutions and laws so as to con- 
form to those of England. Charles II. began to follow the matter up. 
Maine, west of the Kennebec, was now, by a decision of the Courts, 
adjudged to the heir of Gorges, and though Massachusetts purchased 
his rights, this did not help them. In 1678, Charles established New 
Hampshire as a royal province, and restored Mason, the old patentee, 
to his rights ; but the people there were of the same mind as those of 
Massachusetts, and royal Governors, collectors, and other officers, 
for some time had a sorry time of it. 

Massachusetts did not take warning ; the King's letters were met by 
long, evasive responses, and the agents of the colony were instructed 
to make all possible delay. But the King acted promptly; proceed- 
ings were besfun in the Court of Kincj's Bench, to set aside the Charter 
of Massachusetts, on the ground that they had violated it; and, as 
technical objections arose, new proceedings were begun in the Court 
of Chancery, under which the Charter was declared void in 1684, and 
Massachusetts became a royal province. 

New York was gradually assuming the form of an English colony, | 
and the people becoming accustomed to English rule. Under Thomas | 



A NEW ENGLISH COLONY PENNSYLVANIA. 257 

Dongan, who came out as Governor in 16S3, an Assembly was called, 
and New York betran to make laws for self-government. Donoan was 
one of the ablest colonial Governors ever intrusted with power in 
America, and labored earnestly to build up the colony, and to extend 
its limits to the St Lawrence and Lake Ontario. Of the French 
power he was the steady antagonist. 

The Assembly, convened under this able man, passed a Charter of 
Liberties, establishinof freedom of conscience, and cfuaranteeino- all 
the liberties held dear by Englishmen. 

The Five Nations formally submitted as subjects to the King of Eng- 
land, and Dongan restrained them from annoying other colonies, allow- 
ing none to treat with them except through the Governor of New York. 

To the southward another colony was now begun. William Penn 
had become interested in New Jersey, and thus learned the fitness of 
the New World as a home for emiofrants. The EnoHsh Government 
owed him a large sum, which had been due to his father, Admiral 
Penn. The Duke of York had esteemed the father and liked the son. 
Charles had no money to pay old debts, but Penn offered to take as 
compensation a grant of land in America, and James recommended 
his brother to grant him all the land north of Newcastle, and between 
the fortieth and forty-third degrees. 

On the6thof March, 1681, the charter was issued under the Great 
Seal. Penn proposed to call the land New Wales ; but as this was 
not liked, he suggested Sylvania, from its abounding in forests, but 
Charles insisted on putting Penn before this, to honor the Admiral, 
and so it became Pennsylvania. 

Penn was made absolute proprietor, with power to ordain laws, 
appoint officers, and enjoy general authority ; but the laws were to be 



258 



THE HOLY EXPERIMENT AT NEWCASTLE. 



assented to by the freemen of the province, and be approved by the 
King, and no taxes were to be raised except by the Provincial 
Assembly. To provide for any such case as had arisen in New- 
England, it was provided that Episcopal clergymen, approved by the 
Bishop of London, were to reside in the province without molesta- 
tion. 

Thus the old colony of New Netherland had grown into New York, 
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the counties on the Delaware, which 
now form the little State of Delaware. These were claimed by the 
Duke of York as part of New York, and by Lord Baltimore as part of 
Maryland. Penn bought from the Duke all his rights to them. He 
sent out William Markham as Deputy Governor in 1681, with three 
ship-loads of emigrants, and full instructions. In September of the 
following year, Penn prepared to go himself to take possession of his 
new province. In a beautiful letter he took leave of his wife and 
family, then, with six hundred of his fellow-believers, he set sail in 
September, 1682, for the new abode of peace, where they were to 
begin what they called the Holy Experiment. 

The passage was long, and the frequent deaths among the passen- 
gers cast a gloom over them all. At last, on the 27th day of October, 
William Penn landed at Newcastle. Swedes, Dutch, and English 
were already settled in the new province, and they numbered between 
two and three thousand, plain, strong, and industrious people, living 
in peace with each other and the native tribes. The disposal of the 
territory to Penn was regarded favorably. The news of his landing 
was soon spread far and wide, and on the next day, in the presence of 
a crowd of the settlers of the various tongues, his deeds were produced ; 
the agent of the Duke surrendered the territory by solemnly delivering 



UNDER THE GREAT ELM AT SMACKAMAXON. 259 

earth and water, and Penn, as proprietor, pledged himself to grant 
liberty of conscience and civil freedom. 

He visited the various settlements, finding the land £Ood, the air 
clear and sweet, the springs plentiful, and provisions good and easy 
to come at, an innumerable quantity of wild fowl and fish ; in fine, he 
says, " What an Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would be well contented 
with." 

Before leaving England he had addressed a letter to the Indians, 
and as soon as he had seen the position of his province, he held his 
first grand treaty with them. Beneath the great elm-tree at Shacka- 
maxon, on the northern edge of his future city of Philadelphia, William 
Penn, surrounded by a few friends in the peaceful garb of his sect, 
with no military parade or arms, met the assembled delegates of the 
If Indian tribes. From the tribes on the waters of the Delaware came 
I the clans of that name ; Shawnees from the interior, and the stately 
' Conestogas from the Susquehanna, all met beneath the wintry sky 
and the leafless branches of the elm. Distinguished simply by his 
blue silk sash, Penn addressed them, not to purchase lands, but to 
form the covenant of friendship which he had offered. 
I " We meet," he said, " on the broad pathway of good works and 
j good will ; no advantage shall be taken on either side, but all shall be 
openness and love. I will not call you children, for parents some- 
times chide their children too severely ; nor brothers only, for 
brothers differ. The friendship between me and you I will not com- 
pare to a chain ; for that the rains might rust, or the falling tree 
I might break. We are the same as if one man's body were to be 
divided in two parts ; we are all one flesh and blood." 

The children of the forest were touched by these words of peace 



26o FREEDOM — EQUALITY — TAXATION BY LAW. 

and from that day to this, the Indian has recognized in the Quaker 
a friend indeed. They received the presents of Penn with sincerit)-, 
and with hearty friendship they gave the highest and most solemn 
Quarantee known to the eastern tribes, the belt of wamoum. 

Thus was the foundation of Pennsylvania laid : peace with the 
Indians, liberty and toleration for all. A General Convention met 
at Chester in December, and framed the laws for the province. All 
were free, all were equal ; no taxes were to be laid but by law ; 
every man could vote, and, without regard to religion, could be 
elected to of¥ice. Sunday was to be a day of rest, and stage-plays, 
bull-baits, and cock-fights were prohibited. 

Having selected a site for his city, Penn bought the land of the 
Swedish settlers who occupied it, and on a neck of land between the 
Schuylkill and Delaware, well suited for a town by the convenience 
of the rivers, the firmness of the land, the pure springs and health)' 
air, he in January, 16S3, laid out his city, to which he gave the name 
of Philadelphia, meaning Brotherly Love. 

Vast were the hopes of Penn, but he little dreamed of its future 
greatness ; that in less than a century it was to be the cradle of a 
great Republic, soon to bear its starry flag from ocean to ocean. 

In two years Philadelphia had grown from four little cottages to 
six hundred houses, and the schoolmaster and the printing-press had 
begun their work. 

Having given his colony the form and impulse his amiable heart 
desired, and erected a modest brick house for himself, Penn returned 
to England in 1684, bidding a touching farewell to the colonists and 
to the virgin city Philadelphia. 

In Virginia, after the restoration of the royal power under Charles 



VIRGINIA IN THE HORRORS OF INDIAN WAR. 261 

11., ihe aristocratic feelings recovered, and the Church of England 
■ was established, and maintained by laws almost as severe as those 
whii li uiiheld Congregationalism in New England. The Governor, 
Sir iVilliam Berkeley, bore himself very haughtily, and much discon- 
tent prevailed. At last Indian troubles gave it an occasion to show 
itself. 

The Concstogas, or Susquehalinas, as they are sometimes called, 

''■ from the river on which they dwelt, had, after a long war, been 

I disastrou.sly defeated 1)y the Senecas and other Iroquois tribes, and 

'■■ driven down into Maryland and Virginia. In the confusion of their 

hast}' entrance into these colonies, several outrages were committed, 

1 which were charged upon them, but were more probably the work of 

the Senecas. 

j Some of the Conestoga chiefs met a party of settlers to justif}' them- 
I selves and make terms of peace, but the settlers, in the heat of passion, 
murdered them. Old Berkelc}' rebuked this sternly. " If i\wy had 
killed my father and my mother, and all my friends, yet if they had 
come to treat of peace, they ought to have gone in peace." 

The crime brought terrible consequences. The wretched Concsto- 
gas, finding those among whom they sought a refuge to be as great 
enemies as the Senecas, commenced a war in earnest, and from Mount 
Vernon to the falls of the James they roamed, slaying and devastating, 
till they deemed their dead chiefs avenged. Then thej' offered peace, 
but the colonists rejected it. Other Indian tribes who had wrongs to 
complain of now followed the example of the Conestogas, and Virginia 
was plunged into the horrors of Indian war. 

The Governor and his aristocratic associates did nothing to allav the 
storm ; but the people rose. Choosing as a leader Nathaniel Bacon a 



262 THE POPULAR HERO PROCLAIMED A TRAITOR. 

brave and eloquent young planter, they demanded leave to rise and 
protect themselves. Berkele}- haughtily refused. 

Where the James lliver leaps into the low-lands, lay the plantation I 
Df the enthusiastic popular leader. The savage enemy made a dash 
here, and killed several of his men. He had declared that if another 
white man fell he would raise troops without authorit}-. Five hundred, 
men soon rallied to his standard, and he marched against the Indian 
foe. Berkeley proclaimed them rebels, and raised troops to pursue 
them, but the people, tired of the tyranny of the Governor and 
Assembly, rose and compelled the Governor to dissolve the Assembly. 
Bacon, having driven off the Indians, returned in triumph, was elected 
to the Assembly, and made Commander-in-Chief. This legislature 
passed many acts to secure the liberties of the people, but Berkeley 
refused to sign Bacon's commission. That j'oung leader, fearing 
treachery, withdrew, and returned at the head of an armed force. 
The old Cavalier met them undaunted. Baring his breast, he cried, 
'' A fair mark, shoot ! " "I will not," replied Bacon, " hurt a hair of 
your head, or of any man's ; we are coming for the commission to save 
our lives from the Indians." 

Berkeley finally yielded, and Bacon, after rebuking the Council for 
the exorbitant taxes, abuses of Government, and the misery of the 
country, obtained a regular commission. At the head of his eager 
soldiers he drove the Indians from their lurking-places in ibrests and 
swamps, and was about to bring the war to a close by a vigorous cam- 
paign, when Berkelej' proclaimed him a traitor. Bacon appealed id 
the people, and a general rising answered his call. Berkeley fled, but, 
raising some troops and Indians, by aid of the English ships then iu 
Virginia waters, he returned to Jamestown and again proclaimed 



bacon's triumph and death. . 2b 



o 



Bacon a traitor. That popular leader was soon before the place with 
kirf Ibrces. Under the mild light of a September moon, a rude iu- 
trenchment was thrown up. Berkeley's motley horde lust heart, many 
fled to the ships, the rest deserted the town, and Eaeon entered. Fcar« 
ful that he could not hold it against the reinforcements that Berkeley 
might receive from England, Bacon set lire to the village, two of his 
chief adherents applying the torch to their own houses. The little 
church, the new State House, soon caught, and the cradle of Virginia, 
with all its recollections, was soon a mass of flames. To Berkeley's fleet, 
anchored twenty miles below the town, it proclaimed the determination 
of Virginians to be free, even at the sacrifice of all they possessed. 

The ruins of the church-tower that survived, still stand as a monu- 
ment to mark the spot connected with the names of Gosnold, Smith, 
Powhatan, Pocahontas, and Bacon. 

"When Bacon came up to the opposing army, there was no battle. 
The Governor's troops joined him. In the midst of his ti'iumph, 
I Bacon fell sick and died. The people were left without a leader. 
Berkeley, securing some capable men, defeated parties of the popular 
troops, and hanged Hansford, a gallant 3'oung planter, who fell into his 
hands. Others followed to the gallows, till twentj^-two of the best and 
purest men in Virginia had perished. Others died in prison. Every- 
where estates vv'ere confiscated and people driven from their homes. 
Virginia was filled with wretchedness, miser}^ and tears. When 
tidings of this vindictive cruelty reached England, the kind-hearlcd 
Charles H. exclaimed : "The old fool has taken away more lives iu 
that naked country, than I for the murder of my father." 

A squadron took out English troops to Virginia, the first who ever 
entered an American province. Sir William Berkeley returned to 



264 NORTH CAROLINA ORGANIZED. 

England, but Bacon's movement left Virginia with less freedom than it 
had before. 

Maryland enjoyed comparative quiet during the reign of Charles II., 
and though one of its officers was concerned in the killing of the Sus- 
quehanna chiefs, the colony condemned him, and avoided war. 

Pennsylvania was not the only new culoii}' which dates from this 
reign. A number of English noblemen, anxious to be lord proprietors 
in America, obtained, on the 24th of March, 1663, a gi'ant for the 
Province of Carolina, extemling from the thirty-sixth degree of north 
latitude to the river San Mullieo, since called the St. John. Lord 
Clarendon, the Duke of Albemarle, Lord Ashley Cooper, Sir William 
P>erkeley, and Sir George Carteret, whose names we have met already 
with Lord Berkeley, and Sir John Colleton formed this body of pro- 
prietors. 

The land was not wholly- unoccupied. Settlers from New England 
lind planted themselves there, and from time to time Virginians had 
explored it and attempted settlements. These new colonists purchased 
lands from the Indians, and were framing a simple government for 
themselves. Berkeley, acting as Governor of Virginia, and one of the 
proprietors of Carolina, appointed as Governor of the Virginia pioneers 
William Drummond, who convened the first Assembly of northern 
Carolina, and organized the Government in 1666. 

The year before, Sir John Yeamans was appointed by the proprietors 
Governor of a party of settlers from Barbadoes, who purchased a tract 
on Cape Fear River, near the New England settlers. 

Elated by the progress of colonization, the proprietors obtained a 
new Charter, giving them a vast territory extending to the Pacific 
Ocean. Tlien the philosopher Locke drew np a Constitution and laws 



COMMENXEMENT OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 265 

lor this great territor}-, in whicli there were to be nobles of different 
r;ml<s, proprietaries, landgraves, and caciques. William Sayle was 
appointed the first Governor, but it was found impossible to put in 
ijrce the laws that seemed so wise to philosophers and statesmen in 
England. At last the proprietaries wrote to the colonists, "Settle 
order among yourselves." 

Sayle's party of emigrants touched at Port Royal, and then settled, 
in 1670, on the Ashley River, at the first high land. This was the 
commencement of South Carolina. But the spot was not favorable lor 
commerce, and on the neck of land between the Ashley and Cooper 
Rivers soon grew up a town, called, in honor of the King, Charleston. 
Embowered in evergreen trees, with flowers of rich perfume, it was 
long a spot that attracted settlers in s|)ite of its unhealthy air. 

If the proprietaries did not establish their elaborate laws, they did 

encourage emigration, and settlers poured in from New England and 

New Yorl\, from Barbadoes, and from England, Ireland, Scotland, and 

Holland. Then came the Huguenots, expelled from France by Louis 

; XIV. 

To mould all these different classes into one community was not 
easy, but it was finally accomplished, and perhaps tlie jiretensions of 
the proprietaries hastened it, for in a little while all the settlers agreed 
to oppose them and their authority. 



CHAPTER II. 

Reiga of James IT. — James projects a Union of tue Colonies — New York invaded — Connec- 
ticut and the Charter Oak — Indian Troubles in Maine — Fall of James — Reign of William TIL 
■ — Andros seized — Old Governments resumed in New England — William neglects America 
— Sad Condition of New York — Leisler — Indian Wars — Waldron — Lachine — Schenectady — 
Salmon Falls — Casco — Phips fails to take Quebec — William sends a Governor to New York 
— Leisler refuses to submit — Taken — Hanged — New Charter for Massachusetts — The Witch 
Trials — Captain Kidd. 

James II., Duke of York, came to the throne of England on the 
death of his brother, Charles II., in 1684. As a Catholic he wag 
distasteful to the people of England, and it was evident that his reign 
would be short. Under other auspices he might have been one of thei 
best English rulers. He was a brave and capable commander, wellj 
acquainted with the commerce of England, and one of the few Kingsl 
who took a real interest in American affairs. 

One of his projects was to unite the colonies together. When he 
became King he was proprietor of New York ; Massachusetts was a{ 
royal province ; Connecticut and Rhode Island had just been organized 
under charters. He united Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and 
the Narragansett country under Joseph Dudley as Grovernor ; and he 
prepared to annex other colonies to this new government. Then, for 
the first time, the service of the church established by law in England, 
was performed in Boston. 

Dongan, the Governor of New York, was busy checking the French, 
who, provoked by the raids of the Five Nations, invaded the Seneca 
country with a considerable force, led by the Marquis de Denonville, | 
GrOvernor of Canada. 

The Senecas met him on his way inland, and for a time a fierce battle 
raged. Soldiers from the battlefields of Europe, Canada militia, fron- 



THE UNSURRENDERED CHARTER. 26/ 

tiersmen, ludiaii allies of the French, rei^resenting tribes from tlio 

.«koros of Maine to the shores of Lake Superior, all met to do buttle 

with the Iroquois on the soil of New York. The action was sharp, and 

p inauy noted braves fell, but the Iroquois drew off, and the French 

1; entered their ruined towns. Denonville then restored La Salle's fort 

I on the Niagara, and claimed all western New York. Dongan supported 

his allies with arms and ammunition, and endeavored to win the 

western tribes to England. 

James, a more patriotic Englishman than his careless brother, 

Charles II., supported Dongan, and when the French King complained, 

insisted that the Iroquois were his subjects, and that as such he would 

I! protect them. The French proposed, and James agreed to, a perfect 

j neufralitj' in America in case of future war. 

I Following up Ills plan of forming the colonies into one powerful gov- 

I ernment, James had sent out the active and capable Sir Edmund Andros, 

I 

I as Governor General of the Territory and Dominion of New England. 

\ He landed in Boston in December, 1C8G, with an imposing force of 

i British troops. One of his first steps was to induce Connecticut to sur- 
render hei Charter into his hands, so that he could make that province 
part of his territory. He soon after, in pursuance of instructions based 
on erroneous reports that Connecticut had submitted, left Boston with 
several of his council, and some sixty grenadiers as his guard. For 
the first time such a retinue dashed in its pomp and glitter through the 
New England woods. 

At Hartford the General Court was in session, and Andros called 

j for the surrender of the Charter, which the people prized so dearly. 

] A pleasing tradition was long kept alive by the reverence paid 
to the famous tree at Hartford, called the Charter Oak, which braved 



268 BARON CASTIXE AND HIS INDIAN WIFE. 

the winds till it was blown down in a great storm in August, 1856. 
The story is that after Andros had secured one copy of the Charter 
uiul all were looking on in sadness and gloom, the lights were suddenly 
extinguished as Andros stretched out his hand to grasp the other 
Tliere was delay in relighting the hall, and then the Charter had van- 
isiied. Lieutenant Joseph Wadsworth had secretly carried it otf and 
hidden it in the hollow of this old oak. But there are doubts as to 
this stoiy, and though the Charter was probabl}' concealed in the tree, 
Wadsworth had apparently secured it previous to the coming of 
Andros. 

Dongan's experience and his warnings now induced James to con- 
solidate, if possible, all the English colonies into one, so as to give the 
Indians a greater idea of English power, and more easily check the 
French. New Jerse}^ was also placed under Andros, and then New 
York, so that all the colonies from the fortieth degree, except Penn- 
sylvania, were incorporated into one vast province as the Dominion of 
New England. Sir Edmund Andros was the Viceroy, and Captain 
Francis Nicholson, Lieutenant Governor. 

Like Dongan, Andros eagerly watched the French, and sent tlie 
Rose frigate to Penobscot to break up a French settlement and trading- 
post of the Baron de St. Gastin. The property of that no])leman was 
seized and carried off, and the act cost New England dearly. St. 
Gastin, or Castine, as the English settlers called him, had come over to 
Canada as a young ensign in a French resjiment. When it was dis- 
baiided he had grown to like the New World, so he wandered off to 
the coast of Maine, and ])lanted his tent among the Indians on the 
Penobscot. He liked them so well that he married a daughter of 
Madockawando, and exerted immense influence over the Indians all 



ANDROS IN MAINE TO AVERT WAR. 269 

along the coast, and thus carried on a very large and profitable trade. 
The Indians considered him as one of their great chiefs, and looked 
; ii[ion the injury done him as a wrong against tiiem, which they resolved 
r to i-etaliate. 

"VVliile Andros was at Albany, looking after the Indian aflairs of 
I, New York, tidings came that troubles had arisen at Penobscot. The 
i. Indians had risen, and Massachusetts sent a force to put llicni down. 
Andros, anxious to avoid a war, hastened across the country to Boston. 
and raising a force of eight hundred men, went to Maine in the depth 
of winter, sharing all the hardships of the troops, though many perished 
^ on the march. 

The Indians fled to the woods, and the troops Avere unable, after all 
(| their hardships, to bring them to action. Andros was now reaping the 
i harvest he had sown. The whole coast of Maine was in danger, ana 
I to secure the scattered settlements, he planted a number of garrisons 
j along the coast. 

James was no longer on the English throne. His nephew and son- 
in-law, William, Prince of Orange, had invaded England and been 
acknowledged as King, with Mary as Queen. 

Utterly unlike James, William seems to have taken no interest in 
American affairs, and he was not, like James, a man to busy himself 
with them. Instead of dispatching definite instructions at once to all 
the American colonies, he acted with hesitation, and showed no care or 
promptness. He left everything in confusion. 

This was the cause of terrible troubles and border-wars on this side 
of the Atlantic. 

When the Revolution took place in England, Andros was still in 
Maine. He returned to Boston. There a revolution also took place. 



270 TROUBLE IN NEW YORK AND MARYLAND. 

Seeing it hopeless to attempt to maintain his authority, Andros was on 
his way to embark on the Rose frigate, when he was induced to meet 
Eradstreet and others at the council chamber. There he was arrested 
and thrown into prison. 

A Council of Safety assumed the Government in Massachusetts. 
Plymouth reinstated its old Governor and its old Administration. 
Connecticut brought out her hidden Charter, and Governor Treat 
resumed his duties. 

Opening the dispatches addressed by William to Andros, the Council 
of Safety proclaimed William and Mar}- 

No colony, indeed, made any resistance, but troubles took place in 
New York and Maryland. In the last, as no instructions arrived, the ' 
deputies of Lord Baltimore hesitated to proclaim William and Mary. 
But an association was formed, headed by a disreputable man named 
John Coode, who was soon after mdicted and fled. A revolution took 
place, a Government was formed which William sanctioned, and 
finally, in 1691, he made Maryland a royal province, appointing Sir 
Lionel Copley Governor. 

In New York matters were even more serious. Nicholson, the 
Lieutenant Governor, finding that Andros was a prisoner, sought in 
vain to obtain his release. He convened the Common Council of the 
city, and, to quiet the people, proposed that part of the city militia 
should mount guard in the fort. One of the seven militia captains, 
Jacob Leisler, saw an opportunity to raise himself. Ignorant, fanatical, 
ambitious, he began by letters and speaking to excite distrust and 
trouble. In a little while half the people of New York believed that 
Nicholson had threatened to burn New York and massacre the 
people, 



A SLIGHT QUARREL AND ITS EVIL RESULTS. 2J1 

A slight quarrel about a sentinel soon brought things to a point. 
Never had New York been so excited. The drums were beat, and the 
citizens appeared in arms. Leislcr's companj' entered the fort and 
took possession. It was at lirst agreed that the various captains should 
command in turn, but Leisler .soon had all in his own hands, proclaimed 
the Prince of Orange, and the people supposed that it was to be again 
a Dutch colony. 

Nicholson, finding himself stripped of all power, sailed for England. 
Bayard and other members of the Council retired to Albany, and 
attempted to organize Government there. Leisler then had himself 
appointed by his men Commander-in-Chief of the province, and 
addressed a letter to William and Mary. 

England and France were now at war, and both parties claiming 
rale in New York were full of fight. At Albany the Five Nations 
'i were encouraged to war on the French. The treaty of neutrality 
effected at the wish of Louis XIY. was disregarded, and the colonists 
sought a war with Canada, and were ready to use the Indians against 
that province. 

This was one of the most unfortunate steps in our history. All the 
horrors which for many years desolated our frontiers, might hare been 
avoided. 

The French wished peace and wished to avoid Indian hostilities. 
Finding that they must have war, they went to work with a will. 
The garrisons established by Andros in Maine had been withdrawn. 
The Indians, siding with the French, chanted the war-song from the 
Connecticut to the St. John's. Waldron's treachery had never been 
forgotten, and was now to be avenged. 

One st^jrmy night some squaws came to the garrison houses at 



272 THE FEARFUL REVENGE FOR TREACHERY. 

Cocheco, asking shelter till morning. No tidings of the coming war] 
had reached Waldron, so they were carelessly admitted. 

At midnight they threw open the doors, and the Pennacook braves I 
rushed in, shrieking and yelling. Many were cut down at once ; but 
every Indian thirsted to reach Waldron. The old man, wakened by 
the noise, leaped out of bed. " What now? what now? " he cried, as 
he rushed on tlie Indians, sword in hand. So fierce was his rush that 
they gave way before him, but as he turned to get other arms, they 
sprang on him, struck him down senseless, and then dragged him to the 
hall. 

There they seated him in a chair on top of a table, and exclaimed, 
" Who shall judge Indians now ? " After a time they surrounded him 
again, brought out his books, and laid them on the table before him 
'hen, in mockery of his way of trading, each Indian stepped up and 
crying, "I cross out my account ! " with his knife drew a deep gash 
across the old man's breast ; and so they went on, till the veteran, 
fainting from loss of blood, and murmuring " Oh Lord ! oh Lord ! " fell 
forward on a sword. 

Ck)checo was soon a mass of fire ; house and mill alike sent up their 
volumes of flame, lighting up the scene ; twenty-two settlers lay dead, 
and by the gleams of firelight the dusky warriors were seen hurrying 
away nearly as many more prisoners. 

A little girl, seven years old, a grand-daughter of Major Waldron, 
during the attack was sent by the Indians to an inner room to tell the 
people to come out. She hid, but was found and dragged off, half 
©lothed and barefooted. Her sufferings were terrible : lior Indian 
master once was going to kill her, and actually set her up against a, 
tree and aimed at lier ; another time an Indian girl pushed her off a 



THE CRUELTIES OF THE FIVE NATIONS. 273 

high rock into the river, and she nearly drowned, but she dared not 
loll for fear of worse treatment. Once they stole off in the morning 
and left her, covered with the snow, alone in the woods. The poor 
little thing went crying after them throngh the wilderness, tracing them 
b\' their trail on the snow. Another time they made a great fire, and 
threatened to roast her alive, but she ran to her master, and clasping 
ber little arms round his tawny neck, promised to be good, and 
touched his heart. 

Such were the horrors which the colonies brought on themselves, 
when all might have been avoided. 

The Five Nations, instigated by the people of New York, dealt a 
still heavier blow on Canada. Fifteen hundred braves of the League, 
with some English, all well ai'med, set out to invade Canada. Never 
had such a force of red men taken the field. Throngh the forests they 

I inarched to Lake Champlain, whei-e tliey built their ileet of canoes. 
No scouts warned the French of their approach. They glided down 

\ with noiseless stroke into the St. Lawrence, and j^assed Lake St. Louis 
during the fierce hailstorm that came on during the night of the fifth 
of August. Their canoes soon ran silently on the shore at La Chine, 
a few miles aliove Montreal. The little French village lay buried in 
slumber. The war-whoop roused them to fall beneath the balls of the 
Indians or their murderous hatchets. Men, women, and children jier- 
ished, and, firing the town, the Indians added to the horrors of the 
scene, and prevented all escape. Here and there a brave man would 
attempt to defend himself and those dear to him. Few escaped. Those 
who fell into the hands of the Indians alive underwent every torture 
that savage fury could invent. Children were put alive on spits, and 
their mothers forced to turn them before a fire. All niaht Ioiik the 



2 74 GREAT ALARM IN CANADA. 

hideous orgies and cruelties of llie Indians continued. The sun rose on 
a scene of indescribable horror. Only two houses in the whole village 
remained, and not a living inhabitant ; all else was blood and ashes. 
Two hundred people had perished ; a hundred and fifty more were 
hurried off as captives. 

Denonville, Governor of Canada, sent out Lieutenant Robeyre with 
a detachment to hold Fort Eoland. The Indians attacked it with such 
fury that the little garrison were soon surrounded by dead. But it 
was all in vain. The foe were countless, and the little band was thinned 
till the brave Robeyre, faiut and wounded, stood alone. 

Du Luht, whose name lias been given to a new town on Lake 
Superior, was more successful, when encountering two canoes of Iroquois 
on the Lake of the Two Mountains. Plying their paddles with hot 
haste, the Iroquois rushed upon him. Du Luht ibrbade a man to 
fire, and the Iroquois bullets, fired in haste, rattled harmlessly by. 
Quick struck the paddles till the range was sure ; then, at his word, his 
deadly volley poured into the Iroquois canoes. Every bullet told. 
Eighteen braves lay writhing in their riddled canoes ; four plunged 
into the water to seek safety oy swimming, but of the whole baud only 
one escaped. 

But all was alarm in Canada. Fort Frontenac was abandoned 
and fired, and a mine with a slow match lit to blow it up. The 
Indians, going to attack it, found ammunition and plunder to reward 
them. 

Four days after the attack on Lachine. a hundred Christian Indians 
from a French mission on the Penobscot, appeared before Fort Peraa- 
quid, on the coast of Maine. Coming partly by sea, and partly by 
laud, they found the people utterly unprepared. They rushed furiously 



PREPARING TO AVENGE THE MASSACRE. 2/5 

thruugh the village, breaking into the houses, and slaughtering all 
before them. 

Captain Weems in the fort opened tire with his cannon, but the 
Indians took to some stone houses and behind a rock that jutted out. 
A regular frontier fight began. Each watched hi.s antagonists keenly, 
and every exposed body was instanth' a mark for a ball. At last the 
sun began to decline, and wishing to close the matter at once, an 
Indian summoned Weems to surrender. 

"I am tired," replied the undaunted man ; "lam tired, and must 
go to sleep." 

All night long the rattle of musketry was kept up, and with daylight 
the fire into the fort was terrible. Weems, finding it hopele.ss, agreed 
to capitulate, and the Indians allowed all who survived to march out 
and embark. The Indians, with a self-restraint not often seen, stove 
I in a cask of rum which they found in the furt. 

! All was now confusion at New York. King William, after Nichol- 
son's return to England, sent out a letter addressed to him at Xew 
York. Leisler opened it, and declared that it made him Lieutenant 
Governor, and imprisoned all who opposed him. He harassed the 
people of Albany in order to make them submit to his rule. 

Amid all this confusion, Count Frontenac, the new Governor of 
Canada, was preparing to avenge the bloody massacre of Lachine. In 
the very heart of a Canadian winter, three expeditions of French and 
Indians started out over the snow and ice. One from Montreal aimed 
at Schenectady ; another, from Three Rivers, at Salmon Falls, and a 
third, from Quebec, at the settlement on Casco Bay. 

Schenectady was the frontier town, and, in spite of the dangers of a 
time of war, was merry as winter could make it. One Saturday after- 



276 THE BLOODY RESULT. 

noon, Talmage, who commanded the little garrison in the fort, urged 
the people to be cautious, as warnings had come. The people laughed 
at his fears, and gayly spent the afternoon in Iheir warm houses. The 
gates of the palisades, even, were left open, and they set up snow men 
there as mock sentinels. 

While all this foolery was going on, the French and Indian force, 
under Saint Helene and Manteht, were almost within gunshot. 

Weary, hungry, and numbed with cold, they ^Yaitcd till every light 
disappeared in the doomed village. At midnight they charged through 
both gates at once into the place, and attacked Talmage"s fort. The 
war-whoop rang through the village ; houses were fired, and a general 
slaughter ensued. 

Stout Adam Vrooman defended his house like a hero, and the 
French gave him quarter ; they spared a widow's house, and endeav- 
ored to save the minister, who was, however, killed. Sixt}- persons 
were slain in that bloody night. Twenty-five escaped from the place, 
and lighted b}' the glare of their burning houses, hastened almost naked 
through the deep snows to Albany ; one of the wounded, Simon 
Sehemerhorn, who had succeeded in finding a lame horse, reaching that 
city early on Sunday morning, to terrify all ^Yitll his fearful tidings. 

The other expeditions of the French wvve equally successful. Her- 
tel, with the men of Three Rivers, pushed on till his scouts recon- 
noitred Salmon Falls, now Berwick, in New Hampshire. In three 
parties they attacked three garrisoned houses, one supplied with 
cannon. The j'ell of the Indian was met by a bold cheer ; but one by 
ojie the defenders fell, and the survivors surrendered. Then the in- 
vaders applied the torch. The settlement was in flames, and the In- 
dians slaughtered on all sides the herds of cattle in the burning stables. 



A UNION AGAINST CANADA. 277 

The people of Portiiiiouth heard of the disaster, and gave chase to 

•■•(,' ciiciny. Hertel halted at the narrow bridge over ^V ouster Kivec 

' 'I'Ijc brave New Euglauders dashed over it, hriug rapidly, llcrtel, 

^ n-aiued to border lighting, let theui approach and rushed upon them. 

■^rith terrible loss the men of Portsmouth were hurled back, and 

' Hertel continued his retreat. 

The I'ort at Casco Bay was invested by Portneufs party. Some of 
them by night stole up almost to the gate, and la}' in ambush. At 
i daybreak Robert Greasou fell into the trap and was slain. The scalp- 
' halloo told the garrison of their danger ; fifty men boldlj- sallied forth 
f, to meet them. A desperate hand to hand light followed. Only four 
men out of lifty ever lived to re-enter the fort. Still the place held out. 
but as Hertel joined him, Portneuf pushed the siege quickly, and at 
last Casco surrendered. 

All the northern colonies were now in consternation. The French 
might rouse eveiy Indian against them. 
Leisler urged all the colonics to join in a union for the reduction of 
( Canada ; and, as their authorit}- was no better than his, they agreed, 
\ and the first Xorth American Colonial Congress met at New York in 
1690. They agreed to raise an army of eight hundred and fifty-live 
men to conquer Canada. This seems a very insignificant force indeed ; 
and when Fitz-John Winthrop, the commander, I'cached Lake Cham- 
plain and found the Indians dying of small-pox, and discontented, he 
returned to Albany, and the whole expedition came to nothing, though 
Captain John Schuyler, with some whites and Indians, made a bold 
dash into Canada, and ravaged La Prairie, destroying houses, barns, 
and cattle, killing and carrying off many of the French settlers. 
Massachusetts fitted out a fleet under Phips to attack Port Royal, 



2/8 THE PILLAGE OF PORT ROYAL. 

a French post, now replaced by Annapolis, in Nova Scotia, intemiinor. 
if success III 1, to sail round into the St. Lawrence, and take Quebec. 

No such fleet had ever sailed out of an American port, and the 
greatest hopes were built on its success. Port Royal had before ballleil 
English attacks; but when, on the 19th of May, 1690, the French 
guards on the coast saw the fleet, they started in all haste to warn fhe 
commander of the fort. Despairing of being able to make any defense. 
be capitulated, but Phips pillaged the place, demolished the chapel, and 
treated the people harshly. They were never again to be long under 
French rule, and their history is a very sad and pitiable one. War 
had put them under a government that they could not love, and which 
looked on thera with dislike. 

Phips, flushed with victory, determined to attack Quebec. Storms 
delayed him, and it was not till October 14th that he anchored with 
thirty-four sail near that city. Frontenac, the Governor of Canada, 
finding Montreal safe from Leisler's army, had hastened back to 
Quebec, and had fortified it with great skill. 

He was ready for the fight. In a little while a boat came i-owing 
from the New England fleet, the white flag flying at the bow. Belbre 
it reached land a French boat met it, and received Phips' messenger, 
who was blindfolded and led into the Castle of Quebec. The cunning 
French led him by a roundabout waj', so that he heard jilentv of 
soldiers marching, and rattling of guns, to make him think the place 
was full of troops. When his bandage was taken off he stood in fhe 
presence of the haughty old Count, who was surrounded by his officers 
and the great dignitaries of the colony. He handed to Frontenac the 
summons of Phips, and an insolent one it Avas, and taking out bis 
watch, said that he could not wait for his answer more than an hour. 



"ANSWER BY THE MOUTH OF MY CANNON. 2/9 

The French officers were furious ; but Frontenac stern iy told liim, " i 
will not keep you waiting that long for my answer. Here it is. I 
know no King William. . . I will answer your ma.ster by the mouth 
of my cannon. Let him learn that this is not the way to summon a 
man like me ! " 

As soon as the boat with its white flag had carried the messenger 
back to the New England fleet, the batteries of Quebec opened. One 
of the first balls carried away Phips' flag, and it floated so near the 
shore that a French boat ran out and secured it, and for many a day 
it hung as a trophy in the old Cathedral. 

Phips replied with the cannons of his ships, and landed his army 
..to attack the city, but the shore swarmed with Canadians and Indians, 
who seemed innumerable. Every tree seemed to shelter an Indian 
marksman. They bounded around the army, dodging from rock to 
rock, from tree to tree. At lAst Frontenac ordered up a battalion of 
his regular troops, old French veterans, and Phips' army was forced 
back to the water's edge. 

So it went on for several da3's, fighting on land, while the ships and 
fortifications cannonaded each other furiously. At last, baffled on 
shore, Phips withdrew his men, leaving his cannon to the French 
and with his shattered shii»s fell down the St. Lawrence. 

Canada, wild with exultation and jo}', reared a church to Our Lady 
of Victory, but Massachusetts heard the tidings with dismay. The 
expense of the expedition had been enormous, and the expected plunder 
did not come to pay it. For the first time paper money was issued. 
Massachusetts, having no monej-, printed promises to pay. 

In New York the people tried to escape the cost by denying 
Leisler's power to impose taxes. 




THE FAMOUS CHAETER OAK AT HAETFOHD, CONNECTICUT. (Page SOT.) 



LEISLER REFUSES TO GIVE UP THE FORT. 28 1 

Amid all these troubles, King William had sent over no Governors. 

BO instructions. The American colonies were all acting for themselves. 

It seems as il' he cunningly wished them to be weakened and ruined. 

At last he appointed Colonel Slough ter Governor of New York, with 

Major Richard Ingoldsby as Lieutenant Governor, but they did not 

sail from England till December, and then Sloughter went to Bermuda, 

so that Ingoldsby arrived first at New York. He demanded possession 

of the fort for the King's forces and their stores. Leisler was very 

angry at the demand, and, provoked to find that some of the old 

Council were reappointed, refused to give up the fort. 

Ingoldsby then landed his troops with great caution, and quartered 

them in the Stadt House, or City Hall. The Council appointed by 

I King William, except two whom Leisler kept in prison, met, but the 

1 Governor did not arrive. 

I Leisler, however, was gathering men in his fort, and had his cannon 

I trained to bear on the city, so the Council summoned militia from the 

I other counties. Leisler then summoned the Lieutenant Governor to 

di.sband his forces, and on his refusal opened fire upon them, himself 

, discharging the first cannon in this mad and desperate attempt. The 

I fire of the fort was returned, and several were killed in this civil war. 

The next day the firing went on till news came that the frigate 

! Archangel was at the Narrows with Governor Sloughter on board. 

j Word was at once sent to him, and he came up in all haste. He read 

I his commission, took the oaths, swore in the Council, and then sent to 

I 

j demand the fort. Leisler still refused. 

'. The next day Ingoldsby, by the Governor's command, advanced 

I and required all in the fort to ground their arms and march out, prom- 

I ising pardon to all but Leisler and his Council. Now, full of alarm at 



2»2 



LEISLER AND ANTI-LEISLER PARTIES. 



the difficult position into which thej had got, they all submitted. 
Leisler and his chief adherents were imprisoned, and brought to trial. 
Leisler and his son-in-law, Milborne, refused to plead, but they were 1 
convicted of holding the King's fort against the King's Governor, aad j 
sentenced to death. 

The whole colony was now greatly excited, some praying for the \ 
prisoners' pardon, others clamoring for their punishment. The Indians | 
ascribed all the disasters to Leisler, and showed great hostility to him. 
So Sloughter at last, by the advice of his Council, ordered their execu- 
tion. It is said bj' some that he signed the death-warrant after being j 
well plied with wine at a dinner-party. 

Amid a driving rain on Saturday, May 16, 1691, Leisler and Mil- 
borne were conveyed from their prison to a gallows erected near the ] 
present Sun Office. There, receiving the last consolations fromi 
Domine Selyns, the Dutch minister, Leisler, whose word had for nearly] 
three years been law in New York, made his dying speech, and was i 
swung off as a felon. He and Milborne were buried at the foot of the i 
gallows. 

For years after this, New York was distracted by the violent oppo- 1 
sitiou of the Leisler and auti-Leisler parties. 

William at last began to consider American affiiirs. After much| 
endeavor on the part of the New England agents, a new Charter was i 
drawn up for Massachusetts, but it was not altogether to the liking) 
of the people. The ideas of King James were to some extent shared 
by William ; he, too, wished to consolidate the colonies and increase | 
the ro^'al power. So Massachusetts under the new Charter was a pretty j 
large colony, as you will see on any map. It included the old Massa- 
chusetts Bay and Plymouth, Maine, Nova Scotia, and all between them. 

^1 



CATHOLICS AND JEWS NOT TOLERATED. 283 

The people were no longer to elect their Grovernor, or appoint their 
judges : the riovenior was to be named by the King, and the Governor 
uiul Council appointed the Judges. It any man t'elt dissatislied with 
•the deeisious of tlie highest court in Massachusetts, he could now appeal 
to the Priv}- Council in England. 

Every form of Christiauit}', except the Roman Catholic, obtained 
freedom of worship, and in this point the Charter agreed with all others 
issued at this time. Catholics were not admitted to the rights of their 
fellow-Christians as long as the British rule lasted, nor were Jews more 
•than barely tolerated. 

The new Government in Massachusetts was no longer in the hands 
of the Church, and from this time ceased to direct Ecclesiastical 
matters ; each church managed its own affairs. 

To please the people of the colony, William allowed the agents of 
iMassachusetts, the chief of whom was a famous minister, the Reverend 
Increase Mather, to suggest names for the officers to be appointed by 
the crown ; William Phips, who had been so unsuccessful at Quebec, 
was accordingl}- appointed, and he came out in 1692 with the new 
Charter. 

The people were not very well pleased, but the new Government was 
organized, with Phips as Governor. 

' Then commenced one of the strangest and most terrible affairs that 
ever occurred in the countrj^ the Witchcraft Delusion in New England, 
'in which many innocent persons perished ; and after all, some little 
iseamjjs of deceitful children were at the bottom of it all. 
j The lirst important case in which a person was tried for witchcraft, 
•was that of a woman named Glover, in 1G88. She was one of tiie 
I thousands of poor Irish people who had been torn from their own homes 



284 



THE WITCHCRAFT DELUSION. 



and sold as slaves in America. She had defended her daughtenl 
against a charge of stealing made by the daughter of John Goodwin, a| 
girl of thirteen. This girl, to secure revenge, pretended to be be- 
witched by Glover. Three others of the family joined her. Instructed 
apparently in tricks taught them by Indian nurses, they pretended to 
be deaf, then dumb, then blind, then they would all purr like so manyj 
cats. Ministers were called in, and poor old Mrs. Glover, ' ' the wild 
Irishwoman," was arrested. One way of trying the witches was taj 
make them say the Lord's Prayer. The poor creature said it in Irish J 
but they could not tell whether she said it right or not ; she said it in 
Latin, but, being a poor ignorant creature, made a few mistakes ; but] 
in English she could not say it, for the simple reason that it was 
not her language ; she had learned it after a fashion in New England,! 
but no one had taught her English prayers. So, says our great histo-j 
rian Bancroft, the ministers and Goodwin's family had the satisfactioi 
of getting her condemned as a witch and executed, for she was only 
friendless emigrant. 
• It is horrible to think that children could have played such pranks 
as brought this poor woman to such a. terrible death. 

For a time, political affairs kept this witchcraft business back, but injj 
1692 it began again, and again children were at the bottom of it. The| 
family of the Eeverend Samuel Parris, minister in Salem village, was! 
the next field. They had an Indian slave named Tituba, with whomi 
the children were a great deal. She taught them a number of tricks — toi 
imitate fits, frothing at the mouth, ventriloquism, and many of the arts| 
of the Indian medicine-men, and filled their minds with all manner of 
superstitions. When they began to do their pranks before theirjj 
parents, a doctor was called in : as he could make nothing of it, he| 



" GOD SHALL GIVE YOU BLOOD TO DRINK." 285 

. ;aid they were bewitched. Mr. Parris had been at variance with some 

jf his people, and the cry was raised that his children were bewitched. 

Immediately people around were accused as witches, and convictiou 

;md death came much quicker after accusation than they do in our days. 

Martha Corey did not believe there were any witches, so she was 

accused and hung ; the Nurses, Cloyses, and Mr. Putnam left the 

church in disgust, Rebecca Nurse was hung, Sarah Cloyse imprisoned, 

and Putnaui escaped only by making his house a fortress, and standing 

ready* to light for his life. A poor old woman, Sarah Good, was 

pointed out by the children as a witch, arrested, tried, and sentenced 

to die. Even her little child, live years old, was also arrested as a 

witch, and put in pri.son, loaded with heavy chains! While they were 

[dragging Sarah Grood off, the cruel minister, Nicholas Noyes, told her 

ishe was a witch, and she knew she was a witch. " You are a liar," 

'cried the doomed wouian, "and (lod shall give you blood to drink." 

.1 

I Twenty-live vears after, Noves was seized with a bleeding from the 

'lungs, and died actually drinking blood! 

Once the girls began they had to keep up, they went through all 

l| their contortions, accused one and another, twisting into all possible 

] attitudes, stiffened as in death, crying out at intervals charges such as : 

" There is the black uiau whispering in Cloyse's ear! There's a yellow 

" bird flying round her head." 

I Everv one present was moved with .sympathy for these poor 

'1 children, some ten in all ; and all eagerly clamored for the punishment 

j of the accused. Rebecca Nurse was a lady universally esteemed, the 

j jury acquitted her, but the Chief Justice kept them confined till they 

! found her guilty, so perfectly mad had people become. 

I Then the greatest victim came : George Burroughs, minister of 



286 GILES COREY PRESSED TO DEATH. 

Salem before Mr. Parris, and, in laet, his rival. He was a man of 
lierculean strength, and had often amused iiis friends by feats showiuj; 
his immense power. He is said to have put his linger into the bai-rel 
of a gun, and held the weapon out at. arm's length. All this was now 
brought out as proof of diabolical power. He was tried, hung, and 
buried beneath the gallows. 

Old Giles Corey would not plead, that is, would not answer " Guilty " 
or "Not Guilty." For refusing to plead, the punishment in those day& 
wa.s fearful. It was to be pressed to death. And Giles Corey was 
pressed to death. A large board was placed on his breast as he lay 
flat on the ground, and weights laid on, increasing till he died, three- 
mouthfuls of bread being given him the first day, and three sups of 
water from the nearest stagnant pool the next, and so on to the end. 

The horrors of these scenes roused protests in New England and 
abroad. People began to tiiink. They shuddered at what they had 
done. The girls soon showed by their lives what they really were. 
One, Ann Putnam, repented and confessed. 

Such was the great witchcraft delusion of New England, in which a 
lot of good-for-nothing children led the most learned and shrewdest 
men of New England to murder innocent people. 

Before this horrid work stopped, twentj' people were executed, fifty- 
five more were sentenced to death, and the prisons contained a 
hundred and fiftv more awaitino; trial. 

King William sought to control the colonies loj a new method. He 
made Fletcher, the royal Governor of New York, Commander-in-Chief 
of the militia of Connecticut. The people opposed this as a violation 
of their Charter, and were not disposed to submit. 

One pleasant day in October, 1693, Fletcher appeared in Hartford 



CAPTAIN FLETCHER AND HIS DRUMS. 287 '^ 

to read his commission and assume authority. William Wadsworth, 
the senior captain, was drilling the train-bands on tlic village greea, 
when Fletcher advanced and bade Bayard of New York read his com- 
mission. Before the first word could reach the ears of the militia, 
Wadsworth ordered the drums to beat. Fletcher commanded silence, 
and once more Bayard began to read. Once more the drums beat. 
"Silence!" exclaimed Fletcher. "Drum, drum! I say," shouted 
Wadsworth, adding, as he turned to the Governor of New York, " If 
I am interrupted again I will make the sun shine through you in a 
moment ! " The cowardly Fletcher, awed by a gasconading threat of 
an old countiy militia captain, retired fuming and storming, and his 
royal master explained his ordei's so as to leave Connecticut in peace. 

New England had suffered so severel}' in the campaigns against 
Canada, that they made no further attempt to wrest that province from 
the French. But the New Yorkers Avere bolder. A small force of 
colonists and Indians, under Peter Schuyler, marched stealthily up 
through the woods of northern New York, and entering Canada, 
approached La Prairie, a little village opposite Montreal. A consider- 
able French force was stationed in a fort here, and a bod}' of Indians 
lay near it. Schuyler, however, resolved to strike a blow. Favored 
by the darkness, his men stole silently along, and were almost up to 
the fort just as the first light of day began to appear in tlie east, when 
a French sentinel caught sight of them. He fired his piece and called 
" To Arms." The soldiers had had a merry-making, deeming their 
enemies in New York. Confusion reigned supreme. 

The sentinel's alarm roused them all. He was a brave man, and 
firing again, killed a Mohawk Indian, but was himself cut down. Qn 
da-shed Schuyler and his men into the quarters of the Canadian militia. 



288 INDIAN RAIDS AND FRENCH REGULARS. 

An irregular fire met them, but the militia and Ottawas sooa broke. 
St. Cyrque, the French commander, brought up his regulars, but 
Schuj'ler formed his men and poured in a deadly volley that made the 
valley echo. St. Cyrque was mortally wounded, and several gallant 
officers beside him ; but he would not leave the field. Other troops 
coming up, at last forced Schuyler from his position, and he drew off, 
fighting those sent in pursuit. But a brave French party got betweeu 
him and his boats, and, well covered by trees, kept up a desperate 
fight. It was frontiersman and Indian against frontiersman and Indian. 
Every tree was a cover, and every man, on either side, that wae 
exposed for a moment became a mark. It was at last a hand to hand 
fight, and a deadly one. Paul, a celebrated Huron, and young Le 
Bert were killed on the French side, and Schuyler reached his boats 
only after terrible loss, and without flag or baggage. 

The Mohawks soon after defeated a French party at the Long 
Rapid, on the Ottawa ; so that Frontenac resolved to punish their 
aggressions. In January, 1693, a French force on snow-shoes marched 
down through .the desolate land, and destroyed the three Mohawk 
villages, meeting a desperate resistance at one of them, and being ho<ly 
pursued on their homeward march. It was a terrible undertaking to 
attempt to carry on warfare in such a season. There was no hope for 
the wounded or weary. 

Then there was a series of Indian raids, and proposals of peace, but 
'finding them all come to nothing, Frontenac marched with a large force 
of French regulars, militia, artillery, and Indians of a host of different 
tribes, to attack Onondaga. Fort Frontenac had been restored, and from 
it this great army set out. It landed at the mouth of the Oswego, and 
.marched up, dragging the cannon by hand, and the boats too at the falls. 



LAST FRENCH INVASION OF NEW YORK. 289 

Night came on before they reached Onondaga, but a bright light 
i-cflected from sk}' and woodhand told that the Onondagas had fired 
their town and fort, and retired. When the French reached it there 
was nothing but smouldering ruins. The vast expedition was useless ; 
there was no enemy to liglit. One old man, found in the woods, was 
tortured by them with fearful cruelty. 

Vandreuil, leading a detachment to Oneida, burned the fort and 
villages of that tribe, rescued many French Drisoners. and cut down all 
their corn. 

This was the last French invasion of what is now New York. They 
had at different times ravaged all the cantons but one, but had not done 
the Five Nations an}' great injury, or broken their spirit. Had France 
been able to hold the territory of these fierce Indians, the struggle of 
the colonists against them would have been a doubtful one. The 
Canadians were good fighters, and their frontiersmen took readily to 
Indian ways, and in the border fights were dreaded by the English 
colonists and Indians. At New York the people and the Indians 
began to think they would do better to avoid fighting. 

New England, however, suffered most in this war. The Abenaqui 
tribes had i-eeeived so much injustice at the hands of the colonists, that 
they were implacable. Led by a French officer named Villieu, they 
swept like a torrent through the country. Oyster Eiver, now Durham, 
New Hampshire, M'as first attacked, and the stout garrison-houses were 
sun-onmled by the whooping, yelling foe. In spite of the stubborn 
defense every place was carried and destroj'ed. 

Taxus, one of tlie chiefs, even dashed into Massachusetts with a band 
of fifty braves, and came like a whirlwind on Groton. Lieutenant 
Lakin's house was the first attacked. A sheet of flame and a volley 



290 KING WILLIAM AND THE .SOUTHERN COLONIES. 

repul.sed them, but on they came with fierce yells and stubborn deter- 
mination. They carried it at last, and hurried ofif with a dozen 
prisoners, leaving twenty scalped and weltering in their blood. 

The colonists burned to avenge these raids, but having seized some 
Indians who came to Fort Pemaquod with a flag of truce, the Indians 
and French invested that fort in 169G. Chubb, the commander, whea 
summoned to surrender, replied that if the sea were covered with 
French vessels, and the land with Indians, he would not surrender. 
But Iberville's .ships and St. Castin's skill were too much for him ; just 
before the enein}- were ready to storm the place, Chubb surrendered. 
Fort Pemaquod was then utterly destroyed. 

Three Massachusetts ships, proceeding to attack St. John, had 
already been met by Iberville, who, with his French and Micmacs, 
engaged them and captured the Xewpo>-K of twenty-four guns, to the 
great dismay and indignation of Massachusetts, who had always con- 
trolled the sea. 

The war between England and France, known in this country as 
King William's "War, lasted till 1697, when a treaty of peace was 
made at Eyswick. 

King William's war did not affect the more southerl}' colonies, but 
they did net find tliat monarch more favorable to their liberties than 
James. In a most arbitrary fashion William deprived Penn of Penn- 
sylvania, and Lord Baltimore of Maryland, making thein. like almost 
all other provinces, royal colonies. Penn was even arrested in Eng- 
land, and imprisoned more tlian once, but the noble old man trusted 
to the justice of his cause. The royal Grovernor sent to Pennsylvania 
had a sorry time of it, and Penn was at last allowed to return. Penn 
tvas ready to meet the wishes of the people. He invited them " to 



CATHOLICS DEPRIVED OF ALL CIVIL RIGHTS. 29! 

keep what was good in the Charter, to hiy aside what was burdensome, 
and to add what may best suit the common good."' 

Gradually a new government was formed that was acceptable. But 
the three counties on the Delaware had organized a separate govern- 
ment under William Markham in 1691, and they were jealous of their 
independence. They did not wish to be annexed to Pennsylvaaia 
again, and they succeeded. 

The new government of these colonies was full of liberty and tolera- 
tion. 

Maryland, under the royal sway, underwent many changes. The 
«eat of government was removed from St. Mary's to Annapolis. The 
Episcopal Church was establislied by law, and, though some toleration 
was graduallj' given, the Catholics who had founded the colon}' were, 
down to the time of our own glorious Revolution, deprived of all rights 
as citizens, and their religion proscribed. Lord Baltimore finally, to 
regain his power in Maryland, became a member of the Church of 
England. 

But while William encouraged intolerance in the provinces, and 
apparently liked to see the colonists adverse to each other on religious 
grounds, he did not like them to claim their liberties. 

Whenever the ^Maryland Legislature wished to claim the privileges 
of the Great Charter of England — the Magna Charta extorted from 
King John — or passed any Bill of Rights and Liberties, William 
vetoed it. 

Virginia, under Nicholson and Andros, who were so unpopular in 
New England, prospered. Andros first collected the records of the 
colony, and thus saved materials for its history, and established a Post- 
ofiBce to diffuse more readily information through the province. 



292 CHRISTIAN INDIANS RESTORED TO FLORIDA. 

Nicholson, in 1091, conferred a lasting benefit on Virginia by found- 
ing William and Mary College, which, next to Harvard, is the oldest 
in the country. It became the great seat of learning for the southern 
colonies, and from its walls came forth the noblest patriots of the next 
century. 

During the reign of William and Mary the Carolinas were in a 
constant turmoil of dissension, but it all turned to toleration and free- 
dom. It had a season of happiness while the honest Quaker Archdale 
was Grovernor ; he brought all to his own peaceful and just ideas, and 
won the friendship of the Spaniards by restoring to Florida Christian 
Indians who had been torn from that province to be sold as slaves. 

So, if we look at what was gained in America during the reign of 
William and Mary, there is little to cheer us. At the North, bloody 
and desolating border wars ; civil strife in New York, Maryland, and 
Carolina ; a steady increase of royal power, with Governors established 
under it ; Admiralty Courts were establi-shed, the English laws of 
trade were enforced, the Church of England established by law. It 
did not look as if the peoiile were working their way to freedom, but 
they wore. 

As soon as the peace left France free to carry on her plans in 
America, Iberville, who had been so energetic at Fort Pemaquid, and 
who, though a Canadian, Avas deemed one of the ablest commanders in 
the French navy, was sent out to complete La Salle's last undertaking. 
He reached the moutli of the Mississippi in 1700, with two frigates and 
some other vessels, and explored the great river for some distance, 
planting the French arms at the mouth. In May he began the first 
French settlement on the Gulf of Mexico, at Biloxi, in the present 
State of Mississippi. A fort was erected, and the colonists began to 



CAPTAIN KIDD AND IIIS BURIED TREASURES. 293 

clear and cultivate the soil. The colony did not prosper, the settle- 
ment was moved to Mobile, and finally New Orleans was founded. 
As in all other French colonies, missionaries at once began to labor 
amone the Indians, but their success was not oreat. The Indians of 
the South showed little inclination. Missionaries were killed at dif- 
ferent times, still they did some good ; and Louisiana, though feebly, 
grew at last to be a comparatively thriving colony. 

Every few years some man is reported to be wasting time and 
money hunting along the coasts of the Northern States for treasures 
hidden away by Captain Kidd. If all the money spent in looking for 
Kidd's money were put together, it would make an enormous fortune. 

Captain Kidd was a real person, and he flourished at the time of 
which we are writing. England had for many j-ears encouraged men 
who were little better than pirates — Hawkins, Drake, and others — to 
plunder Spanish ships. The English colonies, as they grew up, found 
it profitable to trade with pirate ships, who ran into their harbors to 
obtain provisions and dispose of their plunder. Sometimes they had 
letters of marque as privateers, from some European Sovereign then at 
war, as a mask for their real object. Other expeditions were fitted 
out directly from the colonies, and many wealthy families owe their 
origin and importance to such shameful work. 

At last, however, such complaints were made, that William III. 
ordered the Earl of Bellomont, whom he had made Governor of New 
York, to suppress piracy. It was resolved to get up an expedition, 
and a ship was purchased by Bellomont, Robert Livingston, of New 
York, and several Englishmen of rank. The object was about as bad 
as piracy, for the King was to have one-tenth of the profits. Of thi. 
ship, Kidd, who had distinguished himself in the West Indies, was 



294 THE PIRATE CAl'TURED AND CONDEMNED. 

made captain, and he had two commissions, one to cruise against the 
French, the other to proceed against the pirates in the American seas. 
He sailed from England in the Adventure galley, and capturing a 
French ship on the passage, brought her into New York. There he 
gathered a larger crew, and sailed to the East Indies. Here he began 
a series of indiscriminate attacks on any vessels that seemed worth 
capture, and even attacked the Mocha fleet, though convoyed by two 
men-of-war, one English and one Dutch. 

Falling in with the ship Royal Captain, his crew wished to cap- 
ture it, but Kidd struck the leading mutineer, Moore, on the head 
with a bucket, so that he died. 

Soon after, however, he captured some Moorish vessels, and a 
very rich Armenian ship. The Quedagh Merchant. 

But news had now reached England of his career, and he was pro- 
claimed a pirate. So he ran over to the West Indies, and leaving the 
Quedagh Merchant, came to New York in the sloop Antonia, setting 
a returned pirate with his plunder ashore in Delaware Bay. He 
landed some treasure on Long Island, and sent more to New York. 
Lord Bellomont was in Boston, and Kidd wrote to him, offering to 
justify his course. Bellomont induced him to come to that city, as 
Kidd, in fact, did, with his wife and children, who had come from New 
York to join him. There he was suddenly arrested, though not till 
he had made a desperate fight, continued to the very presence of 
Bellomont, into whose lodgings he rushed. All his property was 
seized, embracing one thousand one hundred and eleven ounces of 
gold, two thousand three hundred and fifty-three ounces of silver, 
with many jewels and goods as valuable as the precious metals. 

A ship of war soon bore him off to England ; and as William made 



AMERICA AGAIN IN TERRIBLE DISTRESS. 295 

a orrant to the Earl of Bellomont and others of all the treasure taken 
from Kidd, all concerned were anxious to have him put out of the 
way. He was tried for killing Moore, and soon convicted, for he 
had no witnesses or counsel. He was hanged, and the odium 
attached to the whole afTair checked all piracy in America, as no one 
any longer ventured to have anything to do with it. 

How far Kidd was false to his instructions will never be known ; 
but he was evidently carrying out the views of the men of rank, who 
really profited by his evil deeds. 



CHAPTER HI. 

Reign of Queen Anne — She involves the American Colonies in the War of the Spanish Suc- 
cession. 

The Treaty of Ryswick had enabled the English colonies in 
America to repair their losses, and once again turn their attention to 
the peaceful arts of trade, agriculture, and manufactures. This 
happy time did not last long. 

On the death of William HI., Anne, the second daughter of James 
n., became Queen of England. She at once found herself involved 
in a war that convulsed all Europe ; a war to divide Spain, or at least 
to prevent a French prince from ascending the throne of that country. 

This war again plunged the American colonies into the most terrible 
distress, England sent her fleets out on the ocean, and her armies 
to the Continent, but English homes were as happy as ever. To the 
colonist in America war was a very different thing, it left his home, the 



296 MOORE ENSLAVES THE CHRISTIAN INDIANS. 

fruit of long years of toil, it left his life and the lives of his wife and 
children, at the mercy of the savages. 

In King William's War France was alone engaged ; in Queen 
Anne's, Spain and France were united, so that there was danger from 
Florida on the south, and Canada on the north. 

South Carolina began the operations in America. James Moore, 
the Governor, raised a considerable land and naval force to reduce 
Florida. His land forces of militia and Indians under Colonel Daniel 
attacked first the Spanish missions in Guale, now Amelia, and other 
islands on the Georgia coast. The Indians here had been converted, 
and in no small degree civilized, by the Franciscan missionaries. A 
Quaker, wrecked on the coast, was taken from one village to another 
till he got to Carolina, his whole party being kindly treated in all, 
received in the large building in the centre of each town, used for 
storinor g-oods, hcldms: their Indian councils, and entertaininof trav- 
elers. All these peaceful villages were ravaged by Moore, who killed 
many of the people, and carried off great numbers as slaves, and three 
of the missionaries as prisoners. 

The Spaniards in St. Augustine, warned by tidings of this hostile 
inroad, soon beheld this force at their gates, while a fleet of fourteen 
or fifteen vessels prepared to attack them from the sea. 

That ancient city, which had already suffered severely in olden 
time, was again ravaged in November, 1702, the church and Francis- 
can convent burned, and the little town almost completely laid in 
ashes. But the Governor, Don Joseph de la Cerda, was a sturdy 
old Spaniard ; he threw himself into the castle, and bade defiance to 
the enemy. 

Moore had not guns heavy enough to reduce it. He sent to Jamaica 



MISSIONARIES KILLED THEIR CONVERTS SCATTERED. 297 

for aid, but the Spanish Viceroy of New Spain had been warned, and 
as Spaniard and Carolinian looked eagerly to the sea, one fair morning 
in I 703, they saw the tapering masts of ships. Every heart throbbed 
with anxious expectation. Slowly the vessels rise to view — two 
Spanish men-of-war. All was dismay in the camp of Moore. To be 
caught between the garrison, fierce to revenge their desolated city, and 
the formidable force arriving, would be ruin. Abandoning his ships, 
ammunitions, and stores, Moore began to retreat along the road 
traversed years before by Menendez. With thinned ranks he re- 
entered his own colony. Carolina was in dismay. The failure of the 
expedition plunged them in debt, and, unable to pay it, South Carolina 
issued paper money. 

Burning to wipe away the disgrace, Moore prepared to strike at a 
weaker point. On the Bay of Apalache were numerous towns of 
Indians, converted and partially civilized by the Sp, nish missionaries. 
The chiefs had learned to read and write. They were peaceful, con- 
tented, and happy with their flocks and herds. Towards the close 
of December, 1705, Moore, with fifty white men and a thousand 
heathen Indians, burst like a furious torrent on this happy Christian 
community. 

Ayavalla was first attacked, the church fired, the missionary killed, 
and numbers of the Indians slain or hurried off to endure savage 
tortures. Some few attempted to withstand the enemy, but they were 
defeated. The Spanish commander with his little garrison hastened 
up with such Indians as he could gather, but was repulsed. The 
whole land was filled with blood and slaughter, and the trail of the 
retiring army was marked by the corpses of the missionaries and their 
converts. The Apalache nation was forever scattered. 



298 THE GIFT OF SEED-RICE. 

The next year a French fleet menaced Charleston ; but where the 
French effected a landing they met a desperate resistance. 

While Carolina was thus suffering from her unwisely rushing into 
a European war, she had received a gift that was to be of great 
value. A vessel from Madagascar, touching at Charleston, presented 
to the Governor a bag of seed-rice. This does not seem as great an 
event in history as a battle ; but from it grew one of the great 
staples of Carolina — its valuable rice-fields. 

When it became evident that another war was at hand, the north- 
ern colonies acted differently. New York, although it had in the Five 
Nations, or Iroquois, a powerful body of friendly Indians, who liked 
war better than peace, felt little inclination to cope again with the 
active French Canadians, who made up for lack of numbers by energy 
and daring. The French were always disposed to remain neutral, 
and let the mother countries fight out their own battles in Europe, 
so New York and Canada agreed to keep quiet, and thus avoided all 
the horrors of war. 

Dudley, Governor of Massachusetts, hesitated and finally refused, 
so New Encfland chose to fight the French alone. The Indians in 
Maine were already in arms to avenge the plundering and injury 
done to their chief, the young Baron de St. Castin. 

When the French found that they must carry on the war, they 
went to work as Moore did in the South ; they raised bodies of 
militia and Indians to attack New England. 

Lieutenant Beaubassin, with a flying corps, dashed through New 
England like a meteor, ravaging and destroying. All the country from 
Casco to Wells was in a conflagration. One wintry night in March, 
Hertel de Rouville, with two hundred and fifty men, while the sen- 



THE CRUELTIES AT DEERFIELD. 299 

tinels at the little village of Deerfield, on the banks of the Connecticut, 
were away from their posts, walked in snow-shoes over the drifted snow 
to the very top of the palisades intended to protect the little village. 

Suddenly the fierce war-whoop rung out on the cold night air. 
The danger against which they had been warned was upon them in all 
its terror. Strong men seized their weapons and prepared to fight to 
the last. The shrieking children were gathered by their mothers to 
avoid the first rush of the savage foe, and gain time to appeal for 
mercy. Each family must prepare for captivity or death. 

Thirty-five of the people were killed, and numbers hurried off as 
captives to Canada ; a long weary march through snow and ice. 
Their sufferings were terrible, and early accounts give a touching pic- 
ture of all they underwent. 

Such cruelties are terrible, but New Englanders might have 
avoided them, as New York did, and can blame only their own rulers. 
The French did not consider it wronsr for them to act as the EnsfHsh 
did in Carolina. 

The minister of Deerfield, the Rev. Mr. Willams, with his family, 
were hurried away among the prisoners, and when Mrs. Williams' 
strength failed she was tomahawked. When peace came he returned 
to New England, but his youngest child, Eunice, remained with the 
Indians, and finally married a chief. Long years after, in the dress 
of an Indian squaw, she came to visit her relatives at Deerfield, but 
they could not prevail upon her to stay ; she returned to her new 
home. One of her descendants, Eleazar Williams, some few years 
ago made quite a sensation by claiming to be really Louis XVII., the 
boy King of France, who is said to have died in prison in France 
soon after the execution of his father, King Louis XVI. 



300 "NOT A SAFE SPOT IN NEW ENGLAND. 

" In the following years Indians, singly or in bands, stealthily 
approached towns in the heart of Massachusetts, as well as along the 
coast, and on the southern and western frontiers." Every forest 
seemed known to them in all its intricacies, and not a spot in New 
England was safe. " Children, as they gamboled on the beach ; 
reapers, as they gathered the harvest ; mowers, as they rested from 
using the scythe ; mothers, as they busied themselves about their 
household duties, or sat sinQ^ino; to their innocent babes in the cradle 
beside them, were victims to an enemy who disappeared the moment 
' a blow was struck," and who was sure to be present the moment vigi- 
lance relaxed. 

In vain did the colonial government offer bounties for scalps. So 
few were actually taken, that it has been estimated that every scalp 
taken by New England in this war cost them three thousand dollars. 

As the war went on, a council of Indian delegates was held at 
Montreal in i 70S, and a formidable expedition planned against New 
England. But the plan was not carried out. 

A small party under des Challlons and Rouvllle, not finding the 
other parties at the rendezvous at Lake Winnipiseogee, resolved to 
strike a blow at Haverhill. This place was then a cluster of cottages 
and log cabins round the meeting-house, almost hidden in the woods 
that lined the banks of the gentle Merrimac. In a feeling of perfect 
security all gave themselves to sleep one August night, little dreaming 
that the neighboring wood concealed the dreaded foe. At daybreak, 
after prayers, Rouvillegave the signal of attack, and they rushed into 
the village, slaying all before them. Few escaped the first fire and 
charge. The escape of Mary Wainwright was strange indeed. Her 
husband was slain at the first fire ; but she fearlessly unbarred the door. 



FRENCH DRIVEN BACK TO CANADA. 3OI 

and with a cheerful countenance invited the Indians to enter. She 
procureel readily all they asked for, and when they demanded her 
money, she went to another room as if to get it, and gathering- up all 
her children but one, succeeded in escaping. 

Two Indians approached Swan's house. With his wife he endeav- 
ored to keep them from entering the door, which had no bar. But the 
two stalwart Indians were too much for their strength; the door 
yielded, and Swan bade his wife fly, as he could hold out no longer. 
She was not one to fly. Seizing a sharp-pointed spit from the wide fire- 
place, she drove it into the exposed body of the foremost Indian, who 
was crowding through the half-open door. With a yell he bounded off, 
and his comrade, equally dissatisfied, supported him with many ex- 
pressive Indian grunts, giving the Swans time to make their escape. 

But Rouville was in a critical position : the noise of battle had 
aroused the villages far and near, and from every town and hamlet 
came hurrying bands of armed men, mounted and on foot. The French 
party struck into the woods, but soon found their retreat intercepted. 

Then a desperate fight ensued. Dashing down everything they 
bore except their arms, the French and Indians dashed into the 
ambuscade. The rifle rang out for a moment, but then it was a deadly 
fight, hand to hand and man to man. With the loss of several of his 
officers, Hertel at last cut his way through and succeeded in reaching 
Canada, though hotly pursued. 

The colonies now implored Queen Anne to deliver them fromsuch 
scenes by sending a force sufficient to conquer Canada. They had 
tried to reduce Port Royal, and failed before the vigorous defense of 
.Suljercase. 

\'e'tch prepared the plan of a campaign, and a large force was raised 



302 THE INVADING FLEET WRECKED. 

in the colonies. The Five Nations threw aside their neutrality, and 
reluctantly agreed to join the English. 

The army of the colonies gathered at Albany, and, under Nichol- 
son, once Lieutenant-Governor of New York, marched as far as Lake 
Champlain. A fleet of fifteen ships of war, under Sir Hovenden 
Walker, was sent out from England with forty transports and five 
regiments of Marlborough's veteran troops. It came over to Boston, 
and taking on board New England troops, sailed for Quebec. In 
that city all was anxiety and alarm, for news came in that Port Royal 
had finally yielded to a New England force and British ships. Taken 
for the last time by England, who was now to retain it, this place be- 
came Annapolis. 

Vaudreuil, the Governor-General of Canada, set to work to put 
his capital in a state of defense. Engineers threw up new works, 
and every one, women as well as men, labored to make the city im- 
pregnable. Time wore on, and Canada, all anxiety, saw no enemy. 
Montreal was not attacked by the large army reported by French 
scouts on Lake Champlain ; and the fleet that had left Boston did 
not appear. At last a vessel came with tidings that the English fleet 
had been wrecked near the mouth of the St. Lawrence. French 
vessels hastened down. The shore was strewn with dead, and with 
the remains of eight transports and their cargoes, which had been 
driven on the rocks and dashed to pieces by Admiral Walker's obsti- 
nacy. Nearly a thousand persons perished ; Walker saved several 
hundred others, and sailed away, his only achievement being the 
conquest of Cape Breton as he sailed back. 

Nicholson, hearing of the disaster, and finding his Indians hostile to 
him — for they were dying of small-pox, and insisted that the English 



WAR ENDED — COLONIES GAIN NOTHING. 303 

had given them clothes infected with that disease — broke up his camp 
and retired. 

Thus, for a second time, Canada saw herself saved as if by the hand 
of heaven. To commemorate this, the new church at Quebec was 
styled Our Lady of Victories. 

But the war had now come to an end. Louis XIV., exhausted and 
broken, was ready to secure peace at the sacrifice of his American 
possessions. By the Treaty of Utrecht, in 1713, France gave up to 
England Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Hudson Bay, with all the 
fur trade in those northern parts. 

The American colonies gained nothing directly, and those at the 
north now found themselves overwhelmed with the debts they had 
been forced to contract in this long war. 

Notwithstanding the constant military and naval operations that 
engrossed so much of her reign, Queen Anne took an interest in the 
religious affairs of the colonies beyond that shown by any other 
English sovereign. She was ardently attached to the Church of Eng- 
land, and through her Governors did all she could to have it estab- 
lished in the American colonies. It got a foothold in New York, and 
made some progress even in Quaker Pennsylvania, though the Gover- 
nors she sent out were not always a credit to the Church they so 
strenuously upheld. Queen Anne made many presents of altar silver to 
the American churches, some of which are preserved to this day, and 
those who can show Queen Anne's plate feel a pardonable pride. 

Perhaps the worst Governor sent out by Anne was Lord Cornbury, 
whom she appointed Governor of New York and New Jersey. He 
was a near relative of the Queen, but a most worthless scamp. His great 
amusement was to dress himself in a lady's clothes and in that guise 



304 THE WRATH OF THE TUSCARORAS. 

promenade up and down on the ramparts of the fort. He attempted 
to make the Established Church the only one in the colony, and 
excited great discontent by his prosecution of the Rev. Mr. Mack- 
emie, a Presbyterian clergyman ; for, although people talked of re- 
ligious freedom, it generally meant only that one party was to have 
it all its own way, and the rest submit. 

The foreign wars were not the only troubles of the American col- 
onies during the reign of Queen Anne. North Carolina had received 
a number of emigrants from the German provinces on the Rhine, to 
whom lands were assigned in the district still occupied by the Tusca- 
roras, a tribe of the same origin as the Five Nations in New York, 
warlike, haughty, and suspicious. Instead of purchasing what lands 
they wanted from the native chieftains, as Roger Williams, Lord 
Baltimore, and William Penn had done, the authorities of North 
Carolina sent their Surveyor-General Lawson to lay off the territory 
for settlement. When he appeared on their lands with Graffenried, 
the leader of the German emigrants, the wrath of the Tuscaroras 
was roused to fury. 

Ignorant of the Indian character, or unsuspicious of danger, perhaps 
despising the savage inhabitants, Lawson and Graffenried kept on with 
their work, selecting spots for settlement. While on the upper waters 
of the Neuse, they were suddenly seized by sixty Tuscaroras, arrayed 
in their war-paint and armed to the teeth. They were forced to travel 
all niofht lone, as the silent braves hurried in Indian file through the 
woods. When morning broke they came to a Tuscarora village, and 
were delivered to a chief. In a short time a council of the sachems of 
the nation gathered, and after a debate of two days, they decreed that 
Lawson, who came to sell their lands, and the stranger who came to 



GENERAL ATTACK OK THE INDIANS. 3O5 

occupy them, should die. The large fire was kindled, the ring was 
drawn around the victims, and strewn with flowers. Round the white 
men sat the chiefs in two rows ; behind them were three hundred of 
the tribe, going through the wild dances with which they keep up 
every important occasion. Then the moment came, and though 
Graffenried, as less guilty in their eyes, was then spared, Lawson per- 
ished amid the flames and the tortures which the yelling braves 
inflicted as they gathered around him. 

Graffenried, horrorstruck, with the yells of the Indians and the dying 
moans of Lawson ringing in his ears, awaited the same fate. But his 
life was spared ; and when, a month later, he was allowed to depart 
and make his way to the settlements, he traveled on in vain. Where 
thriving little villages had, with all their busy life, dotted the 
country, he found only blackened logs, ashes, and the remains of the 
dead. 

German and Huguenot settlers had been swept away. The Indians 
had planned a general attack ; bands were sent out in all directions, 
every village was surrounded, and the lighting of some house or barn 
gave the sisrnal of attack. Then the furious red man, full of one idea 
— that he must exterminate the whites, or be driven -from the lands 
of his fathers, — rushed upon the unsuspecting whites. Night was 
made hideous with the scenes of slaughter, as the braves, with a 
pine-torch in one hand, and a tomahawk in the other, pursued the 
flying settlers, cutting them down without mercy, tracking them into 
the woods and wherever they sought refuge. For three days the 
massacre continued along Albemarle Sound, till the savages stopped 
from sheer exhaustion in their bloody work. 

North Carolina, in alarm, called on the neighboring colonies. Spots- 



306 FRIENDLY INDIANS OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 

wood, of Virginia, tried to aid them by securing tlie fidelity of part of 
the Tuscaroras, who had not taken part in the massacre, but the 
Virginia Assembly began to quarrel with the Governor, and nothing 
was done. 

Gallant South Carolina was prompt at the call of humanity. She 
had managed her Indians better, and Barn-well, calling out the militia, 
rallied around him friendly Indians whom their wise policy had 
secured. Cherokees and Creeks, Catawbas and Yamassees, marched 
with Barnwell on that long expedition through the unbroken forest. 
As they approached the scene of war. the Indian scouts brought word 
that the Tuscaroras were intrenched in a rude fort on the Neuse. On 
the map you can almost mark it in the upper part of Craven County. 
But there were no cravens on either side. Although a few North 
Carolina militia joined Barnwell, he could not storm the Indian fort. 
The Tuscaroras fought better than the New England Indians ; with 
all the superior tactics of the white man, Barnwell failed to dislodge 
them. Surrounded by difficulties, he at last brought them to terms 
of peace. 

But as the army returned it wantonly attacked and carried off 
friendly Indians, and again North Carolina was desolated by midnight 
raids and slaughters. Thegovernment of the colony was in a wretched 
condition. All was disorder, there was no head, no capacity to lead. 
Amid it all came the yellow fever sweeping through the land. North 
Carolina lay helpless. But Spottswood, the Governor of Virginia, at 
last succeeded in winning part of the Tuscaroras, while the South 
Carolina army under Moore attacked one of their forts on the Neuse 
with such fury that he took it, capturing eight hundred of the enemy. 
Then the remainder were hunted down to sell as slaves, or if they re- 



NORTH CAROLINA LAY HELPLESS. 307 

sisted, to cut down and scalp, so as to receive the bounty now offered 
by government for these bloody trophies. 

At last the hostile part of the Tuscaroras, finding it impossible to 
hold the ground against the Carolinians, resolved to abandon their 
native soil for which they had fought so bravely ; they moved north- 
ward through the wilderness to their kindred, the Five Nations in 
New York, and settled near Oneida Lake. 

By these terrible wars many of the Catholic missions to the Indians 
were broken up and all suffered greatly. The Christians among the 
red men again mingled with the pagan members of the tribes, and 
many, for want of their religious guides, fell away from the Christian 
faith, which they had embraced under the zealous efforts of the mis- 
sionaries. Some tribes, too, won over by the English, rejected their 
missionary Fathers. In a few years, however, the latter repented. 
The Yamassees, who had been the first to join the English and who 
had destroyed a Franciscan mission, organized a general conspiracy 
against their former friends and in 1715 burst on the settlements. In 
this war the Christian Indians took an active part led by a Creek 
Chief, two Apalachicolas and a Tallapoosa who had been baptized 
by the name of Baltasar. At the close of the war the negotiations 
with the English were quite favorable to the Indians, and the Chris- 
tian Chiefs asked for protection. 

While the English were thus undereoingr in the South all the horrors 
of Indian warfare, which Virginia and New Ensrland had so often 
experienced, the French, for the first time, were at war with one of the 
nations in their own territory. The Foxes, a turbulent western tribe, 
promised the Iroquois and English to burn Detroit, massacre all the 
French, and place the English in possession of that important point. 



3o8 INDIAN ALLIES OF THE ENGLISH. 

They gathered in force around the Httle western town, and drew the 
Kickapoos and other Indians into the plot. 

Joseph, a Christian of the Fox Nation, warned the French com- 
mandant of the coming attack. That officer acted promptly : he 
threw his Httle garrison and the settlers into the fort, and destroyed 
all the houses that could aid the enemy in attacking him. 

The Indians on whom he could depend were off on their hunt. 
Fleet sped his messenger through the woods and by the rivers to 
summon all to his aid. Prompt at his call came Huron, Pottawatami, 
Sac, Menomonee, Illinois, Osage, and Missouri. The Foxes were 
not dismayed. Twenty braves in all their war-paint came yelling up 
to the fort, defying the French. 

When the allies moved, the Foxes withdrew to their own fort, and 
to escape the terrible fire kept up, dug rifle-pits in the ground. Then 
the besiegers raised scaffolds so as to fire down into the fort. The 
I'oxes were cut off from water, and suffered terribly from thirst, but 
they raised the red flag and declared they had no Father but the Eng- 
lish. Every now and then proposals would be made, but were refused, 
and the P'oxes kejit up the fight, shooting fiery arrows into the French 
fort, till their own fort was full of dead bodies, and many had deserted. 
Then they managed to escape to a peninsula running out into Lake 
St. Clare, and still called Presque Isle. Here, after a desperate 
figlit which lasted four days, they surrendered. The men in arms 
were nearly all put to the sword ; the rest of the men, with the wo- 
men and children, were divided as slaves anions: the allies of the 
brench. Thus dearly did the first Indian allies of the English pay 
for their devotion to the cause. 

England failed to gain a foothold in the West, but the Treaty of 



STEADY STRUGGLE OK THE TEOPLE. 309 

Utrecht, signed April ii, 1713, gave to England supremacy in the 
fisheries, the entire possession of Hudson Bay, Ncnvfoundland, and 
Nova Scotia : and France agreed not to molest the Five Nations, 
who were recognized as subject to the dominion of Great Britain. 
The next year Queen Anne died. 



CHAPTER IV. 

Reign of George 1. — His Neglect of America — The Yamassee War in South Carolina — War 
with the Abenakis in Maine — Death of T'ather Rale — Lovewell's Fight. 

With the death of Queen Anne ended the house of Stuart, and 
George, Elector of Hanover, a German prince, ascended the throne 
of Enoland — a dissolute man, i^rnorant of the lansjuaoe and indifferent 
to the interests of the people over whom he was called to reign. 

F"or the American colonies he cared still less. They prospered 
by the neglect of the house of Hanover, and when their prosperity 
tempted the third George to ojjpress them, he lost them forever to 
England. 

Of this reign the great feature is the steady struggle of the people 
against the ro\al Governors, by which the feelings of liberty grew 
deeper and stronger in all minds. And as the same trials produced 
sympathy between the different colonies, it tended to unite them 
more closely together. 

The first great event of this reign was ushered in on the 15th of 
April, 1715, Good Fritlay in that year. The Yamassees, who had eni- 
iofrated from Florida to South Carolina, and done fjood service in tlic 



3IO SOUTH CAROLINA DELIVERED FROM INDIANS. 

Tuscarora war. Now they were bent on mischief. English traders 
were at Pocotahgo, and Nairne, an English agent, had come to treat 
of a firmer peace, ignorant of the vast Indian conspiracy. Suddenly 
the slaughter began. One boy escaped to the woods, running like a 
deer for life. To avoid the Indian trails was his only safety; the 
thickest woods were his course. After nine weary days he reached a 
garrison. Seaman Burroughs, a man of great strength and courage, 
broke through the Indians who encircled him, and trusting to his fleet- 
ness of foot, struck out for the settlements. The red furies were on 
his trail, arrow and tomahawk and ball whizzing past him ; twice they 
came truer to the savage aim, and tore through his flesh ; but he kept 
manfully on, the blood streaming from his wounds. Running ten miles 
and swimming one, he reached Port Royal with his tale of terror and 
disma}'. That town was at once abandoned, and in ships and canoes 
the inhabitants fled to Charleston. Around that city the Indian bands 
narrowed in, halting only to torment with all their savage fury the 
planters, with theirwives and children, who had fallen into their hands. 
Governor Craven raised a force and met the confederated warriors 
on the banks of the Salkehachie, in April, 17 15. The battle was 
a bloody one, and though it lulled for a time, was again furiously 
renewed, neither side showing any inclination to yield. The air re- 
sounded with savage yells ; every tree covered a warrior, and arrows 
and bullets in showers met the steady onset of the Carolinians. At 
last they routed the savage foe, and pursued them beyond the limits of 
Carolina. The Yamassees returned to Florida, the Uchees and Apa- 
laches retired southward. South Carolina was delivered from its sav- 
age foe, but not till four hundred of the colonists had perished by 
midnight assassination, in torture, or in battle. 



FATHER RALE SLAIN AT THE CROSS. 3II 

Then came trouble at the North. The Treaty of Utrecht left Maine 
free from all claim of France, but the native tribes were friendly to the 
French, and were converts of the French missionaries. The New 
Englanders they disliked as intruders on their lands. Chiefs were 
seized and sent to Boston, and, though ransomed, were detained. 
Hostilities began, the English seizing the young Baron de St. Castin, 
and a force under Westbrooke ravaging their villages and pillaging the 
house and chapel of the missionary Rale at Norridgewalk, on the Ken- 
nebec, and another on the Penobscot. 

In a second attack on Norridgewalk the New England troops sur- 
prised the place, and killed many of the tribe, bearing away, too, in 
triumph the scalp of Father Rale, whom they slew at the foot of his 
mission cross. 

The Abnakis were broken by these heavy blows, but the war still 
continued between small parties. Among those raised on the English 
side, the most famous is that of John Lovewell, who, meeting the 
Indians with their own tactics, did much to check them. His fights 
were numerous, but the most deadly was that at the pond that now 
bears his name, near Fryeburg, in which he fell. 

After the most desperate of the conflict was over, Chamberlain, one 
of the bravest Indian fighters of his time, spent with the exertion and 
the heat, made his way to the water's edge to get a drink of water and 
to wash out his gun, which was foul from constant firing. Just as he 
emerged from a copse of willows and set foot on the pebbly shore, he 
saw opposite him the stalwart form of Paugus, the most famous of the 
Indian braves. Both had come for the same objects. All now de- 
pended on celerity ; each begun to clean his rifle, and they seemed to 
keep time with each other. Both rifles were ready to the moment. 



312 PAUGUS, THE CHIEF, SLAIN BY CHAMBERLAIN. 

" Now, Paugus," said Chamberlain, " I'll have you," and he began to 
load with care. " Na, na, me have you," replied Paugus, loading 
as rapidly. At the same moment each poured in the powder, rammed 
in the wad, dropped in the bullet, and sent it home. Paugus began to 
prime his rifle ; Chamberlain struck his gunstock a sharp blow on the 
ground, his rifle primed itself. Before Paugus could cover him with 
his deadly rifle. Chamberlain aimed coolly and true, his bullet passed 
through the heart of Paugus, as the chieftain's ball, uncertainly aimed, 
cut through Chamberlain's hair. The hunter gathered up the trophies 
of his victory, and hurrying back to where the fight was going on in 
all its fury, shouted that Paugus was slain. Paugus ! Paugus ! was 
echoed from tree to tree; the Indians looked in vain for the form 
of their chief, and, convinced that he had fallen, abandoned the strug- 
gle and stole away into the depth of the forest. 

In this bloody fight fell, too, the Rev. Mr. Frye, whose name is 
preserved in the neighboring town. He, too, had slain a chief, and 
had just raised aloft his bleeding scalp, when he fell, pierced by an 
avenging bullet. 

While the English colonies were thus struggling with Indians within 
their borders, France was making gigantic efforts to build up a great 
empire in America. She built Mobile to check the Spaniards, and in 
a brief war twice took Pensacola. She claimed the whole valley of 
the Mississippi, on the ground that as she held the mouth of the river 
all land up to the source of every stream emptying into it belonged to 
her. And this, in fact, was a generally received princiisle. But this 
view left the English colonies only the coast. Streams that rose in 
Carolina, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, ran into the Mississippi ; they 
could not give up all this to France, but the French gained the Indians, 



BALTIMORE FAMILY REGAIN MARYLAND. 313 

even those who had loner known the EnorHsh : she founded Natchez in 
1716; New Orleans in 1718; Fort Niagara in 1721, and soon after 
Crown Point, on Lake Champlain, while the Delawaresand Shawnees 
on the Ohio hoisted the white flag- of France. All the ereat routes to 
the Mississippi by the Ohio, Wabash, Illinois, and Wisconsin rivers 
were in the hands of the French ; they were commencing the planting 
of sugar in Louisiana, opening trade with Mexico, mining on Lake 
Superior and in Minnesota. Had the French government applied 
itself to increase Louisiana, it would have become formidable to the 
English colonies, but its affairs were left to companies and individuals, 
and Law used it to found a gigantic system of fraud, known as the 
South Sea Bubble. So completely was the sway of France estab- 
lished, that a Canadian in Louisiana, du Tisnet, purchasing a com- 
pass, set out overland through the wilderness, and fearlessly made 
his way to Quebec, and gathering his family, returned by the same 
route to the banks of the Mississippi. 

England did little to enlarge the bounds of her colonies, though by 
erecting Fort Dummer, in 1724, she secured what is now Vermont. 

During the reign of George L, the Baltimore family regained con- 
trol of Maryland, the Earl of Baltimore having, in 1715, abjured the 
Catholic religion, and conformed to the Church of England. 

But if a Lord Proprietor thus regained power, the Proprietaries of 
South Carolina, in 1719, completely lost all power, the Assembly 
having in that year renounced all dependence on the Proprietaries, 
and declared themselves a royal province. Johnson, the last Gover- 
nor for the Proprietaries, endeavored to check the popular movement. 
But the militia were called out, and from every ship and fort floated 
the flags to cheer them on. In the King's name Johnson commanded 



314 ENGLISH HOSTILITIES TO THE COLONIES. 

Parris to disperse his men. Parris answered : " I obey the Conven- 
tion," and the King, before whom the people laid their claims, ap- 
pointed as first Royal Governor, Nicholson, a man thoroughly 
familiar with American affairs, having held rule in New York, Mary- 
land, and Virginia, and led the Canada and Port Royal expeditions. 
His first act was a firm treaty of peace with the Cherokees. 



CHAPTER V. 

Reign of George II. — The English Government prevents American Manufactures and Com- 
merce — Good Effect Produced — Ogletfiorpe and tfie Settlement of Georgia — Tomochichi — 
The Cherokee's Answer — Position of the English Colonies — The French— Law's Projects — 
The Natchez — Massacre of the French — Escape of Doutreleau — The Choctaws Attack the 
Natchez — Louboi's Operations — The War with Spain — Oglethorpe's Campaign against St. 
Augustine — Monteano Invades Georgia — The War with France — The New England Troops 
take Louisburg — It is Restored to France — The French on the Ohio — George Washington — 
He is sent to Occupy the Ohio — Defeats Jumonville — Capitulates at Fort Necessity — The 
War Begins. 

George H., who came to the throne of England, 1727, was as 
much unused to the affairs of that kingdom as his father had been ; 
but he was active and warlike, and his reign was not destined to be 
one of peace; and before its close the American colonies were called 
upon to pour forth in the cause of England the blood of their brave 
sons, and the fruits of their honest labor. 

And yet the hostility to the colonies which began with William HI. 
continued. Under George H., the King- and Parliament, jealous of 
American prosperity', sought to cripple them. Various branches of 
industry were prohibited by laws passed in this reign. Hats manufac- 
tured in one colony could not be sent into another ; no colony was al- 
lowed to manufacture any iron-ware, or enter largely into the manufac- 



ENGLAND ENCOURAGES THE SLAVE TRADE. 315 

ture of bar-iron ; they were not permitted to carry on any trade witli 
the colonies of other nations. So the colonies were cut off from 
manufactures and from a market. England kept all in her own 
hands ; what America raised must go to England at England's price, 
and what goods America needed she had to buy in England at Eng- 
land's prices. 

The consequence was that all the specie was drawn out of the 
colonies, and paper money had to be issued. As things grew worse 
this could not be redeemed, and sank rapidly in value. 

As this distress became general, a spirit of resistance spread 
through the colonies, and intercourse increased. Each colony began 
to take more interest in the others, and they were drawn more closely 
to each other. 

Another evil was the slave-trade, which England encouraged, as it 
enabled her to draw money from the colonies, for she had the 
monopoly of taking slaves from Africa, and supplying America with 
this class, who were eventually in our days to be the cause of a terri- 
ble war. England wished, by introducing negro slaves, who could 
never mix with the settlers and claim the rights of British subjects, 
to prevent the colonies from becoming too strong. 

Yet in spite of all obstacles raised by the English government the 
American colonies increased in population, extent, and wealth. The 
tendency of settlement was along the Atlantic coast, and some at- 
tempts were made to form a new colony south of Carolina. 

General James Oglethorpe, a kind-hearted but often visionary man, 
was the successful planter of Georgia. His benevolent heart had been 
touched by the suffering of poor debtors in England, of whom hun- 
dreds languished in prison under the cruel laws of that day, with no 



3i6 Oglethorpe's covenant of friendship. 

means to pay their debts, and cut off from any work by which they 
could ever hope to do so. 

For them and for Protestants driven by war from their German 
homes, he resolved to found a colony in America, and in June, 
1732, he obtained from George II. a patent for Georgia. 

England caught up his enthusiasm ; money was voted by Parlia- 
ment, and contributed by the wealthy, and in November Oglethorpe 
sailed, with a hundred and twenty emigrants. While the settlers 
were landing at Beaufort, Oglethorpe ascended the Savannah river. 
A hig-h bluff, about half a mile from the villaoe of the Yamacraws, 
seemed to him the spot for his capital. On the site of Savannah he 
was welcomed by Tomochichi, the Yamacraw chief, who offered him 
a bison-skin with a head and feathers of an eagle painted on the 
well-dressed inside surface. " The feathers of the eagle are soft, and 
signify love," said the chief ; " the buffalo skin is warm, and signifies 
protection. Therefore, love and protect our little families." Four 
beautiful pine-trees protected the tent of Oglethorpe where he thus 
made his covenant of friendship with the red man. And here, on 
the 1 2th day of February, 1733, he received the little flotilla, the 
sloop and periaguas that bore to Savannah the settlers, who soon 
laid out the plain, rough houses on its regular streets. 

Delegates of the various Indian tribes came, all friendly to the new 
colony. A treaty was soon signed with the Creeks, by which 
Georgia claimed all the territory from the Savannah to the St. John's. 

A Cherokee came. "Fear nothing," said Oglethorpe, "but speak 
freely." " I always speak freely," replied the haughty warrior, " why 
should I fear ? I am now among friends ; I never feared even among 
my enemies." Even the Choctaws came, declaring that they preferred 



ENGLISH COLONIES HEMMED IN BY THE FRENCH. 317 

the English to the French, who had just been building forts in their ter- 
ritory. 

For while the new colony had on the south the feeble Spanish colony 
of Florida, the French were endeavoring to control the Indians up to 
the very coast. If you look on the map of the United States, you can 
see the thirteen English colonies as they were at last formed. New 
Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, 
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Car- 
olina, South Carolina, and Georgia. These were gradually extending 
further into the interior,but had scarcely gone beyondjthe first ranges of 
mountains, or the main rivers. Maine depended on Massachusetts, and 
was confined to settlements on the coast. Fort Dummer, erected on 
the site of the city of Brattleboro', in i 724, was the frontier post of New 
England, and became the cradle of Vermont. New York was pro- 
tected by the Five Nations, and had a fort at Oswego, but the settle- 
ments had not gone beyond the banks of the Hudson and Mohawk. 

The French were scattered all throucrh the interior, and the English 
settlers knew that part of the country only from French books. The 
French had a fort at Crown Point, on Lake Champlain, erected in 1 724, 
and another at Niagara, and were preparing to occupy the head waters 
of the Ohio. They held Michigan with forts and trading settlements 
at Detroit, Mackinaw, a.nd Sault St. Marys ; they had a fort at Vin- 
cennes in Indiana ; Fort Chartres, in Illinois, with settlements at Kas- 
kaskiaand Cahokia ; a settlement at Green Bay. By these forts and 
settlements they controlled all the Indians of the northwest, and of 
the various tribes none were hostile to them except the Foxes. 

At the mouth of the Mississippi Louisiana had grown ; New Orleans 
was settled, Mobile was solidly planted ; there were posts at Natchito- 



> 



' 



3r8 THE .SOUTH SEA BUBBLE BURSTS. 

ches, on the Arkansas, and among the Natchez and Choctaws, planta- 
tions were dotted all along the river. Slaves had been introduced 
there also, and the cultivation of sugar begun. 

During a brief war with Spain, the French took Pensacola from 
the Spaniards, who afterwards retook but could not hold it, though 
the French restored it again when peace was made, in 1721. 

A strange attempt to aid the settlement of Louisiana was made 
about this time. A Scotchman, named Law, started, in France, a 
gigantic company for colonizing Louisiana. Such exaggerated ac- 
counts were given that all the people were crazy for shares in the 
company ; every one was going to make a fortune in a few days. 
Settlers and slaves were sent out, cities and towns were planned on 
paper; but at last the bubble burst, and in the ruin and disaster into 
which France was plunged, the colony of Louisiana was forgotten. 
Many settlers returned, but the colony was too firmly planted to perish. 

A terrible blow was now to fall upon it. 

The Natchez were a peculiar tribe of Indians, difTering from most 
of those east of the Mississippi. They had a rude oval temple in 
which a perpetual fire was kept burning, and they worshiped the sun. 
Their chief, as descended from that god of day, was called the Great 
Sun, and his cabin stood on a knoll near the temple. There were 
two classes in the tribe, one consisting of nobles, the other apparently 
a Choctaw tribe which had been reduced to captivity and bondage. 

The French had from the first had trading posts among this tribe, 
and Iberville had planned a city there named Rosalie. Gradually, set- 
tlers planted their cabins there, and under wise commandants all went 
well. In 1 729, however, an overbearing, brutal officer named Chopart 
was sent to Natchez. Full of avarice, he wished to become an exten- 



SETTLEMENT AT NATCHEZ SWEl'T AWAY. 3I9 

sive planter, and as no spot seemed to him richer or better than that 
where the chief village of the Natchez stood, he ordered them to re- 
move from it. At this outrage the Natchez were roused to fury, and 
they determined to defeat the plans of the unscrupulous man. 

They sent to the neighboring tribes to tell their grievances. The 
Choctaws had long wished the destruction of the Natchez, who were 
old enemies of theirs. They now pretended great sympathy, and pro- 
posed a general massacre of the French. Runners went from tribe to 
tribe, and many nations joined in the conspiracy. The Arkansas and 
Illinois were known to be devoted to the French, but except them, 
almost all the tribes near the Mississippi were engaged in it, while 
English traders, who hoped to secure the whole Indian commerce 
of the southwest, urged them on. 

On the morning of the 28th of November, 1 729, the Natchez, induced 
by the arrival of boats from New Orleans with rich cargoes, began the 
work of blood. They were well armed, and the French were taken 
unawares ; almost every man was slain before the sun had. reached 
noon. Brave officers who had ever been their friends, the pious mis- 
sionary, whose life and words had ever been devoted to the Indians, the . 
mechanics who had so often given them a welcome, and done them ser- 
vice, all were butchered ; and the Great Sun sat in the shed of the store- 
house of the company smoking his pipe, while his braves piled around 
him the heads of the French. The settlement at Natchez was swept 
away. Nowhere had any resistance been made except at the house 
of La Loire, one of the officers. He was surprised near his house and 
attempted to cut his way through, but though he killed four Natchez, 
he was finally dispatched, overborne by numbers. The people in his 
house made a brave defense ; the Natchez rushing up were received 



320 FATHER DOUTRELEAU S ESCAPE. 

with a deadly volley ; six fell dead before they carried the house, and 
then to find only some dead bodies ; the rest of the brave defenders 
had escaped. 

Two hundred of the French perished ; their wives and children 
were in the hands of the Natchez as slaves. 

The Yazoos and other tribes slew the French among them ; a 
Father Souel, a missionary to the Yazoos, being slain with the rest. 

Another missionary had a most extraordinary adventure. This was 
Father Doutreleau, a missionary in Illinois. Hewason hiswaytoNew 
Orleans, and had proposed to stop at the Yazoo post on New Year's, 
and perform divine service with the missionary there. Finding that he 
could not reach there in time, he landed at a pleasant spot, and pre- 
pared his little altar to say mass. His boatmen meanwhile, seeing a 
flock of water-fowl, fired their guns into it, and then, as the priest was 
all ready, returned to join in the service of the day. Just at this mo- 
ment some Indians came up from a canoe, and hailing the French as 
friends, all knelt down, the Indians behind. The clergyman had pro- 
ceeded with the service only a few moments when the Indians, who 
were Yazoos in the plot, fired on the French. One of the men fell 
dead, the others sprang to their feet and rushed to the boat. The 
priest, wounded in the arm, knelt to receive the death-blow, but as the 
Indians, firing hastily, again missed him, he too, in his vestments, as 
he was, started for the boat, and had to wade into the water to reach it, 
for his men, supposing him dead, were already pushing off. The 
Indians were close upon him, and their last fire sent a charge of small- 
shot into his mouth. Provisions, arms, all were left ashore, and the 
little party could escape only by speed, and to distance the fleet canoes 
of the Indians seemed impossible. 



LE SUEUR GAINS THE CHOCTAWS. 32 1 

There was an old gun in the boat, with a broken lock, which they 
were taking to New Orleans. As the Indians gained on them they 
would aim this at them, and the red men, dodging to avoid the shot, 
lost headway. In this way the fugitives eluded them, and after 
narrowly escaping at Natchez, where the Indians tried to lure them 
ashore, reached the French camp. 

When the first terrible news came to New Orleans, all was con- 
sternation and dismay. They knew not whom to trust. Every In- 
dian seemed an enemy. The only hope seemed to be in securing 
the aid of the Choctaws, and the brave Swiss, de Lusser, started at 
the risk of his life for that tribe, to sound their feelings, and, if pos- 
sible, secure their aid and friendshii^. 

Le Sueur, one of the great early explorers of the northwest, who 
had begun to work the rich mines of Minnesota, gained the Choctaws 
completely, for the crafty tribe now hoped rich pay from the French, 
and plunder in abundance from the Natchez, when that nation was 
destroyed. 

While the French army was slowly advancing- from New Orleans 
to punish the Natchez, Le Sueur and his Choctaws reached the scene 
of blood, and suddenly attacked the enemy, on the 27th of January, 
with such fury that he killed eight)', took many prisoners, and de- 
livered fifty-three of the French from their terrible captivity, as well 
as a hundred and fifty negroes. 

Some days after, Loubois came up with the French force and be- 
sieged the Natchez in their forts, but the Indians made a brave re- 
sistance. Loubois' regular soldiers were miserable fellows picked up 
in France, and were of little service, but the colonists and negroes 
fought bravely ; the Choctaws were eager for plunder. At last, on the 



322 NATCHEZ INDIANS UTTERLY DEFEATED. 

25th of February, 1730, the Natchez gave up the French prisoners in 
their hands to the Choctaws, and then stole away by night. 

Some took refuge among the Chickasaws ; a part kept up the war, 
attacking every French boat. The largest of these bodies took post 
on the Washita, where they were invested by the French in January, 
1 731, and compelled to surrender. The Great Sun, with other chiefs, 
fell into the hands of the French, who sold all their prisoners, some 
four hundred, as slaves in the West Indies. 

Another party pretended to submit, and asked to be received among 
the Tonicas, a tribe faithful to the French, and led by a brave Chris- 
tian chief. But the Natchez only sought revenge : they suddenly rose 
on the Tonicas, and slew the chief and many of his people before they 
were driven out. Another party attacked the French post at Natchi- 
toches, but the gallant St. Denys called to his aid friendly Indians, and 
even his Spanish neighbors, and the Natchez were utterly defeated. 

By this time Louisiana again became a royal province, and Bien- 
ville, the founder of the colony, was once more Governor. He un- 
dertook to chastise the Chickasaws. An expedition from Louisiana 
was to ascend the Tombigbee, and attack their towns, while another 
from Illinois invaded them on the north. 

The expeditions moved in May, 1 736. The Louisiana force made 
its way with great difificulty up the Tombigbee, and marched to attack 
the first Chickasaw fort. But they found it a strong place, with the 
English flag floating over it, for English traders had helped to fortify 
it. After several brave attempts to storm the fort, Bienville, who 
had suffered considerable loss, abandoned the siege and retreated. 

The Illinois force, under Vincennes and d'Artaguette, reached the 
Yalabusha, and seeing nothing of the Louisiana army attacked the 



FIRST NEWSI'Al'EK IX AMERICA. 323 

Chickasaws. They carried two forts, but, in the third, the httle force 
of brave northwestern pioneers was nearly cut to pieces. Vincennes 
and d'Artaguette fell into the hands of the enemy, with many others 
wounded ; their brave chaplain. Father Senat, remained to share their 
fate. Voisin, a brave boy of sixteen, commanded the retreat, and 
through a thousand dangers led the survivors back to Illinois. 
When all danger was past the Chickasaws burnt all their prisoners 
at the stake, only a few escaping to the English in Carolina. 

Another expedition against the Chickasaws, in .1739, was equally 
fruitless. These Indians were the barrier of the English colonies, 
and, in the struggle now coming on, they, with the Six Nations, 
helped in no small degree to turn the scale of victorj'. 

The English colonies were now advancing to freedom. News- 
papers became a great help, diffusing knowledge and discussions of 
public matters among the people. On the 24th day of April, 1704, 
the Boston News-Letter, the first newspaper ever issued on the con- 
tinent, appeared in Boston. Others grew up in other colonies, and 
some gave great displeasure to government by their boldness and 
freedom. John Peter Zenger, the proprietor of a New York paper, 
was put on trial. To ensure his conviction, the judges struck off the 
list of lawyers all who took up his case. But a brave old lawyer 
from Philadelphia, Andrew Hamilton, came on to defend him. So 
eloquent was his defense that the jury brought in a verdict of " Not 
guilty," and the freedom of the press was established. 

Meanwhile the youngest of the colonies was involved in a border 
war. Georgia had grown with a rapidity seen in no other British prov- 
ince. The disinterestedness and zeal of Oglethorpe brought in num- 
bers of industrious settlers, all eager to improve the country and ad- 



324 ADMIRAL VERNON DEFEATED AT CARTHAGENA. 

vance their own fortunes by honest toil. Some Jews were sent out by 
merchants of that faith in London ; German Protestants, from Salz- 
burg, founded Ebenezer ; Scotch Highlanders settled New Iverness, 
other villages arose, and Oglethorpe built Frederica, a strong fort on 
St. Simon's Island, and, claiming the St. John as his boundary, planted 
Fort St. George on an island at its mouth. Spain protested against 
this, but affairs were almost all arranged between the two countries, 
when George II., in 1739, declared war against Spain, and prepared 
to attack the Spanish colonies in America. Admiral Vernon, victori- 
ous at Porto Bello, was ordered to prepare for a new expedition. All 
the American colonies north of Carolina were called upon to fur- 
nish men, and they did. Vernon sailed to attack Carthagena, but was 
utterly defeated, losing in all nearly twenty thousand men. Few of 
the colonists who went on that fatal expedition ever lived to see their 
native land. Vernon would bejustlj' forgotten had not a spot on the 
Potomac been named in his honor, which, as the residence of the illus- 
trious Washington, was to be forever a spot revered by every Ameri- 
can heart. 

The Carolinas and Georgia had not been called upon to join in Ver- 
non's expedition, as they were under Oglethorpe to conquer Florida. 
With the forces of Georgia and South Carolina, he invaded the Span- 
ish province, and took Fort Picolata, and awaited only for his Indian 
allies and tardy Carolina militia to advance upon St. Augustine. 

At last, in June, 1740, with six hundred English regulars, four hun- 
dred militia, and a body of Creek Indians, he advanced to the walls of 
St. Augustine. The Spanish commander, Monteano, had prepared to 
meet them ; his garrison was strong and brave ; in frequent sallies he 
broke through the English lines, causing great loss,so that at last Ogle- 



A CATHOLIC CLERGYMAN HANGED IN NEW VORK. 325 

thorpe saw his naval support sail off, and his militia and Indians de- 
part. He then retreated. 

The Spaniards, in their turn, sent a fleet to attack the Georgia posts. 
Fort William, on Cumberland Island, was attacked by Monteano, and 
with difficult}' relieved by Oglethorpe. 

Monteano then landed to attack Frederica ; but Oglethorpe, with the 
eye of a soldier, had placed it so that its defense was easy ; a road be- 
tween a wood and a marsh led to it. Here, his Highlanders, from the 
wood, covered by the trees, attacked Mouteano's advance, and a des- 
perate fight ensued. The Spaniards fought gallantl}^ and did not give 
up the attempt to cut their way through till after losing two hundred of 
their men, their dead strewing the ground that has ever since been 
called the Blood}' Marsh. 

Oglethorpe was so full of his Spanish affairs that he wrote letters to 
the other colonies warning them against Spanish agents in disguise. 
One of his letters came at an unfortunate time at New York. In 1741, 
some tinners at work on the roof of the church in the fort set it on fire, 
and all the buildings there were destroyed. In a few days it was gen- 
erally believed that it was set on fire by negroes, and that there was a 
negro plot to burn the city. Many negroes were arrested, tried, and 
executed. Oglethorpe's letter gave people a new idea. They were 
already half crazy with fear, and now began to arrest white people. 
A poor non-juring clergyman, who lived by teaching, was tried under 
a law against Catholic priests, passed in Bellomont's time, and also as 
the prime mover of the whole plot. He too was hanged, with several 
others, and many negroes burned at the stake. For a time no man was 
safe, bat at last the delusion passed over, and few cared to admit that 
they had any hand in it. 



326 EXPEDITION TO REDUCE LOUISBUKG. 

But the northern colonies were now to feel all the horrors of war. 
Almost all the countries of Europe had become involved in the difficul- 
ties, and France was also at war with England, in 1744. News reached 
the strong French fort at Louisburg, and they at once prepared for ac- 
tion. A force under Duvivier surprised the little English garrison at 
Canseau, destroyed the fishery, the fort, and the other buildings, and 
carried off eighty men as prisoners of war to Louisburg. An Indian 
force also besieged Annapolis. 

New England burned to reduce Louisburg, and an expedition was 
soon fitted out. New York sent artillery, and Pennsylvania j)rovis- 
ions ; New England furnished all the men, Massachusetts alone send- 
ing three thousand men. The expedition, intended to overthrow the 
power of France and the Catholic religion, set out headed by a chap- 
lain bearing an axe to hew down the crucifixes on the churches. The 
fleet of a hundred vessels bore the army, under Colonel William Pep- 
perell, to Canseau. There, fortunatelj^ Commodore Warren, with a 
British squadron, joined him, and on the 30th of April, 1745, they 
came in sight of Louisburg. It was a strong place for fishermen, and 
farmers, and mechanics to take. Its walls, fortj' feet thick, and from 
twenty to thirty in height, were surrounded by a ditch eighty feet wide, 
and were mounted by nearly two hundred cannon, while the garrison of 
sixteen hundred men, six hundred of them regular troops, seemed to 
make it madness to think of reducing it. 

But the sturdy men of New England did not give up. With stub- 
born perseverance they set to work in their own way to take the stout 
fortress on which France had spent millions under the direction of her 
best military engineers. They knew nothing about zigzags and paral- 
lels ; but they resolved to plant their batteries and make a breach in 



LOUISBURG A COMl'LETE WRECK. 327 

the stout walls. A large morass prevented their reaching a suitable spot, 
ijo they built sledges, and the sturdy- lumbermen dragged the cannon over 
the marsh on these. Waldo's and Tidcomb's batteries were soon play- 
1 ig on the stout walls of the French fortress, which returned the 
lire vigorously ; and the French, by their Canadians and Indians in the 
woods, galled the New England troops. Day after day the firing went 
on, but there seemed nO hope of reducing the place. The wise naval 
oliicers pooh-poohed the idea, and laughed at provincial militia taking 
such a fortress. Even the cool New England men began to tire, and four 
Imndred attempted to take the island battery, but the French met them 
desperately, and the colonial troops drew off, leaving sixty dead, and 
i:iore than a hundred prisoners. But the Shirley frigate, under brave 
Captain Rous, enabled Commodore Warren's fleet to capture the Vigi- 
hint, a French man-of-war coming with ammunition and supplies to the 
relief of the fort. 

When Duchambon, the French commander, saw this, he lost heart 
and began to despond. Soon after, from his ramparts, he beheld all in 
activit}' on sea and land. The fleet and the provincial army were pre^ 
paring for a joint attack on the fort. 

Then, on the 17th of June, 1745, Duchambon surrendered the 
strongest fortress on the American continent to an army of undisci- 
|)lined New England men, who had just laid down their tools in their 
workshops, or their ploughs in the fields. The colonies in America 
siiowed their power, and had achieved the greatest success won by 
English arms in this war. The city of Louisburg was a perfect wreck, 
scarcely a house had escaped during the bombardment. 

For his achievement, Colonel Pepperell was knighted, and made a 
colonel in the British array ; as was also Governor Shirley. 



328 THE FRENCH CAPTURE SARATOGA. 

New England was wild with joy and exultation, and France, burning 
with anger, sent fleets to recover Louisburg, but disaster after disaster 
thwarted all her plans, although these naval forces created great alarm 
all along the New England coast. 

There were no important operations in this war between Canada and 
the colonies, although the Indians in the French service, and small par- 
ties, ravaged the New England frontiers. The Six Nations took no ])art 
in the war. They sent an embassy to ask the French to keep the war 
parties out of their cantons and hunting grounds. The French desired 
nothing better, and as the English authorities no longer asked neutrality, 
the colonies were exposed to the old border ravages. 

At Crown Point, on Lake Champlain, the French had their Fort St. 
Frederic, commanding the entrance to Canada. From this the French 
officer posted there, De Croisilles, sent out the war parties in all direc- 
tions. Besides their old missions in Canada, the French had established 
a new one at the mouth of the Oswegatchie, to which the}^ attracted num- 
bers of the braves of the Six Nations, who were discontented with the 
English. 

The most important blow struck was the capture of Saratoga, by 
a French force under Marin, in November, 1745. That spot, since 
the seat of so much fashion and gayety, the very home of luxury and 
enjoj'mcnt, was then a straggling frontier village, made up, like most of 
those in New York, of various elements, Dutch, English, and German. 
It was soon taken, and the flourishing place, with its mills and block- 
house, and farm-houses, far and near, given to the flames, while the 
cattle were slaughtered in the fields. Thirty of the people were killed 
in the attack, and sixty hurried off as prisoners, with a large number of 
negro slaves. 



PEACE LOUISBURG RESTORED TO FRANCE. 329 

Fort Massachusetts, on Hoosac river, in what is now the town of 
A-dams, was the frontier post on the New England side, and this was 
constantly beset by prowling bands of Indians. One day, as Sergeant 
Hawks and John Miles were riding on a horse, they were fired at by 
two skulking Indians, and both wounded. Miles escaped to the fort, but 
Hawks fell from his horse. The Indians rushed upon him to scalp him. 
Desperation gave him courage, he rallied his strength, and seizing his 
gun covered one of them. This turned the tables. One Indian jumped 
down the bank, the other took to a tree and cried for quarter. Hawks, 
dizzy and confused, kept calling for help, and when it came the Indians 
had fled, one leaving his gun, which he durst not return to pick up. 

In August, 1746, a force of French and Indians under Rigaud de 
Vaudreuil invested Fort Massachusetts. The little fort had a garrison 
of only twenty-two men, and the French force numbered several hun- 
dred, but Sergeant Hawks resolved to show fight, and though he had 
only a few pounds of powder, kept up the fight for twenty-four hours, 
and then surrendered on favorable terms. 

This war came to a close by the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, in Octo- 
ber, 1748, but the spring of the following year had opened before it 
was known in New England, or relieved the farmers on the frontiers 
from the danger of skulking Indians. 

Then all was peace again, treaties were made with the tribes in 
Maine, and hopes entertained of a long season of peace. 

New England was doomed to see Louisburg, which had cost her so 
much blood, and time, and treasure, restored to France by this treaty, 
without any compensation being made to the colonies whose conquest 
was thus disposed of. 

At the South, Oglethorpe, who had begun the war to establish his 



330 WAR SPIRIT IN AMERICA CALMED. 

claim as far south as the St. John's, saw the line between Georgia and 
Florida fixed where it now is, at the St. Mary's. 

The treaty, hastily concluded, did not settle the important northern 
boundary with the French, and in consequence, the bold Canadian par- 
tisan officer. La Corne, tooli Beaubassin, which Cornwallis retook after a 
bloody assault and built Fort Lawrence. On the other side. Captain 
Rous, in the Albany, attacked and took, off Cape Sable, a brigantine 
from Quebec. On both sides the feeling was bitter, and a new war 
seemed threatening. 

The statesmen of Europe were, however, cooler and less disposed 
to renew hostilities. These matters were all arranged, and by degrees 
the war spirit in America calmed down. 

Before the close of the war a Congress of G-overnors met delegates 
of the Indian nations at Albany, with a view of strengthening all the 
tribes in the English interest, so as to aid in the reduction of Canada. 
Though their assistance was not immediately needed, the conference 
was continued, as the colonies had at last awaked to the necessity of 
meeting the French in the west. 

The colonists had in the last war fought side by side with the Eng- 
lish by land and sea, and had met French regulars as well as Canadian 
militia. They began to think that they were pretty good soldiers them- 
selves, and English governors found that the spirit of independence 
was growing. 

In spite of the odious restrictions put by England on American 
manufactures and trade, the colonies grew rapidly. Industry, intelli- 
gence, schools, and papers were doing their work. 

New England had relaxed somewhat, but still maintained a high 
moral tone. Boston was the wealthiest and most thriving town, and 



SOCIAL LIFE IN THE COLONIES. 331 

the houses of the merchants showed its prosperity. In the principal 
houses of Boston, there was a great hall ornamented with pictures, and 
a great lantern, and a velvet cushion on the window-seat that looked 
into the garden. A large bowl of punch was often placed in the hall, 
from which visitors might help themselves as they entered. On either 
side was a great parlor, and a little parlor or study. These were fur- 
nished with great looking-glasses, Turke}^ carpets, window-curtains, and 
valances, pictures and a map, a brass clock, red leathern-back chairs, 
and a great pair of brass andirons. The chambers were well supplied 
with feather-beds, warming-pans, and every other article that would 
now be thought necessary for comfort or displa}'. The pantry was well 
tilled with substantial fare. Silver tankards, wine-cups and other ar- 
ticles of plate were not uncommon, and the kitchen was completely 
choked with pewter, iron, and copper utensils. 

The wealthier Virginians also made much display, while New York 
presented a more homely and simple life. They breakfasted on tea 
without milk, and sweetened with a small piece of sugar passed around. 
The dinner was light, meat not being always served up. 

Our young readers will wonder that many things familiar to them 
were then unknown. To kindle the fire in the morning, they had to 
get a spark in the tinder-box by striking a flint on a steel, and then 
they lighted, at this spark, a match of shaving tipped with brimstone. 
A candle or whale-oil lamp was then lighted. There were no lucifer 
matches, and no gas. The immense chimneys had their wood fires 
kept in place by andirons ; there was no coal mined then or used ; and 
stoves were unknown. 

No canals or railroads facilitated travel or the conveyance of goods ; 
no steamboats puffed along the rivers and sounds. Steam was unknown 



332 THE STRUGGLE FOR THE OHIO. 

in the factory or the mine. News traveled slowly. Affairs in Maine 
would be heard of in Georgia in perhaps a month's time. 

After the treaty of Aix-ki-Chapelle, a new spirit of activity awoke 
and all felt that i^oiiiething must be done to keep the French off the 
Ohio. Both countries aimed at one point, so as to control that river 
and the West. This point was the junction of the Alleghany and Mo- 
nongahela rivers. None of the English colonies wished to go to the 
expense of establishing a fort there ; and the geography of the coun- 
try was so little known that it was supposed to be in Virginia, and 
Pennsylvania paid little attention to it. At last a company was formed 
called the Ohio Company ; but France was preparing to occupy it. She 
had forts at Niagara, Presqu'ile, now Erie, and at Venango. The French 
attacked Piqua, killing and capturing the English traders, with many 
Indians, including the king of the Piankcshaws, who was put to death. 
Then they prepared to occupy the valley with a large force. 

Governor Dinwiddle, of Virginia, had been urgent in his letters to 
the dissolute king, George II., and now at last obtained leave to re- 
monstrate with the French. 

For the perilous task he selected a young Virginian officer, a good 
son of a widowed mother, clear-headed, active, energetic, brave, and 
adventurous — George Washington, then just twenty-one, a surveyor, ac- 
customed to the woods and mountains. Following the Indian trnil, 
witli Christopher Gist, an old frontiersman, as hisgnide, they struck the 
Indian trails, and reached the forks of the Ohio, for which the struggle 
had begun. Here he saw as in a vision the future city of Pittsburg. 
Pushing on he met Tanacharison, the Half-king, as he was called, a 
steady friend of the English colonies. At Venango, he found the Frencli 
posted The French officer in command was sanguine that his country 



FIRST OFFICIAL ACT OF WASHINGTON. 2ij3 

would hold tlie Ohio. " The English can raise two men to our one,'* 
said he, " but they are too dilator\- to prevent any enterprise of ours." 
They had some reason to say so, lor the Canadians were prompt, active, 
and accastoraed to discipline. They marched at once on receiving or- 
ders. In the English colonies, there was always disputing and debat- 
ing, and a regiment was not put into the field till after a long wrangle 
between Governor and Assembly. 

Where Waterford now stands Washington found Fort le, Boeuf, 
commanded b}- le Gardeur dc St. Pierre, a veteran Canadian ofiicer, 
whose long career had enabled him to obtain a complete mastery over 
the Indians, who both feared and loved him. 

Washington presented his letters, but got a soldier s reply. "lam 
here by the orders of m}' general, to which I .shall conform with exact- 
ness and resolution." 

The young envoy of Virginia then retraced his way through the 
wilderness, to report to the Governor at William.sburg the defiant atti- 
tude of the French. 

This was the first public act of Wasliington, then only twenty-two 
years of age. His journal was made public, and drew attention to him as 
one well fitted to undertake any perilous expedition, to command men, 
and cope with experienced European officers. Thus early did Wash- 
ington impress men with his singular ability for public affairs. Near 
Bridge's Creek, Virginia, where the pilgrim can no longer discern any sign 
of the homestead that once opened its hospitable doors, is a slab recording 
the fact that here, on what 's now reckoned the 22d of February, 17?>2, 
George Washington was born. He was the oldest son of Augustine 
Washington, by Mary Ball, his second wife ; but his boyhood was not 
spent at his birth-place. His father removed to an estate in Stafford 



334 METHODICAL, ACCURATE AND PERSEVERING. 

County, and here young George grew up. His elder brothers, fruits 
of a former marriage, were sent to England for education, but George 
enjoyed only the common advantages of planters' sons, few of whom 
pursued studies beyond the ordinary branches of an English education. 
He was but eleven years old when his father died, and his future train- 
ing, as well as the care of his property, devolved on Mary Washington. 
Most great men owe their greatness in no small degree to a mother, 
and this is eminently so with George Washington. She possessed solid 
sense and decision, was strict in her discipline, and deeply religious, in- 
spiring her children with a love for all that related to God's service, 
not bj' harshness, but by counsel and example. 

Washington ever felt the deepest love and reverence for his mother, 
and never failed to show it. 

As he advanced, he was fond of adventure, of sports in the open air, 
of riding, and of life in the woods. He grew up hardy and vigorous 
in mind and body. His first choice was the sea, and through the influ- 
ence of his brother Lawrence, and Lord Fairfax, an English nobleman, 
then residing in Virginia, he obtained a midshipman's warrant in the 
English navy. His luggage had actuall}^ gone on board, when his moth- 
er's heart failed, and he abandoned his scheme of a naval career. 

Eesuming his studies at school, George, now with his mind attracted 
towards the army and navy, resolved to improve in all the branches 
that would be of servic'e to him, and especially cultivated mathematics. 

He had several good qualities ; l>e was very methodical, accurate, and 
persevering. He had that magic of method which of itself works won- 
ders. He was soon a leader. His school-fellows appealed to him to 
decide the disputes which arose among them, and in every project he 
was looked up to as a chief He delighted in athletic sports, and by 



MAJUR WASHINGTON THE HEAD OF A FAMILY. 335 

his readiness in them, as in his studies, commanded the respect aod af- 
jection of his young associates. 

Even after leaving school he continued his mathematical studies, and 
eagerly went through all works within his reach that treated of military 
affairs, from the mere drill of the private soldier to the management of 
armies or fortification of posts. 

At the age of sixteen, he set out with the surveyor's chain and com- 
pass, to lay out estates possessed by Lord Fairfax, beyond the Blue 
Ridge. This practice in woodland life was of great service to him. Lines 
were to be run through wood and morass, over mountain and stream, in a 
district far from any settlement. He had to work hard and fare hard, 
cook his own meals, and often hunt for them, and for mouths he was a 
stranger to bed or roof. 

The hardship did not discourage the boy, whom Heaven was thus 
training for a great work. The position of public surveyor was be- 
stowed upon him, and, as it was evident that his abilities fitted him for 
the post, George Washington was, at the age of nineteen, chosen to 
command one of the military districts into which Virginia was divided ; 
this gave him the rank of Major, and pay amounting to a hundred and 
fifty pounds a year. Major Washington immediately set to work to 
organize and equip the militia in his district. But he was called from 
his duties to accompany his brother Lawrence to the West Indies ; yet 
the voyage did not restore his failing health ; and before he was twent}^- 
one, George was the head of the family, intrusted with the manage- 
ment of Lawrence's estate at Mount Vernon, for the widow and infant 
daughter. 

His next public duty was momentous indeed. Adjutant General 
of the Virginia forces, well acquaint-^d with the frontiers, he was dis- 



336 WASHINGTON BEGINS A TERRIBLE WAR. 

patched on that first mission, which has led us into this sketch of his 
life. 

I So alarming did the French position seem to Governor Dinwiddie, 
that he urged the Assembly of Virginia to raise men and money to 
keep the disputed lands for the English race. But the Legislature was 
less far-sighted than the Governor. They hesitated, they doubted, but 
at last raised £10,000 for the protection of " the settlers on the Mis- 
sissippi." Several additional companies were raised, and of the regi- 
ment Washington was appointed Lieutenant Colonel. His practised 
eye had marked the spot where Pittsburg now stands, darkening the 
sky with the smoke of its thousand furnaces. By his advice, Captain 
Trent was sent on with forty-one men, to build a fort at this point, and 
raise the English flag. He was sent on himself with his companies to 
occupy the new work, but at Wills' Creek heard that it was too late. 
The French, while the Assembly were debating with Dinwiddie, had 
acted promptly. Already the energetic Marin had led a considerable 
force towards the Ohio, and had built one fort, and was erecting an- 
other, when he died, to the great regret of the French. Contrecoeur, who 
succeeded him, pushed forward with six or seven hundred men, and fall- 
ing suddenly on Trent's party, dispersed them, and seizing the fort, com- 
pleted it, the Chevalier le Mercier, a French engineer, directing the 
works. 

On hearing these tidings, Washington began to intrench himself at 
Great Meadows ; but learning that a French detachment was ap- 
proaching him, resolved to meet it ; and earlj^ on the morning of May 
28th, pushed on, with the Half-king, and a force of Virginians and In- 
dians. They came upon the French, under Jumonville, in a rocky 
wood, where they had thrown up some huts to protect them from the 



FORT NECESSITY INVESTED. 337 

rain. On seeing the English approach, the French flew to arms. Ju- 
monville attempted to act in his character as envoy, and began to read 
a summons, requiring the English to withdraw, but Washington gave 
the order to fire, and after a brief skirmish, Jumonville and ten of 
his Canadians were killed and scalped, and twenty-one taken prisoners. 
This began a new and terrible war, that changed the whole future of 
North America. 

The French heard these tidings with indignation. In their eyes it was 
a base assassination, and in Canada and France, all clamored for redress. 
Contre.coeur, at Fort Duquesne, acted promptly. Dispatching couriers 
to Quebec, to inform the Governor of the commencement of hostilities, 
he sent out de Yilliers, Avith a force, to attack Washington. The young 
Virginian officer, now colonel by the death of Fry, seeing his critical 
position, had sent for reinforcements ; and had fallen back to Great 
Meadows, where he threw up Fort Necessitj', a little work which he 
hoped to hold till relief came. But the only reinforcement was a com- 
pany from South Carolina, under Captain Mackay. As daring and ad- 
venturous as the French, Washington, leaving Mackay at the fort, 
again advanced to meet the enemy, but, as Indian scouts soon warned him 
of the approacli of a formidable French and Indian army, he fell back. 

Fort Necessity was at once invested. It was in a clearing between 
two wooded hills, and was garrisoned by five hundred men, with ten 
pieces of artillery. De Villiershad six hundred Canadians, and a hun- 
dred Indians. Taking advantage of the position of the fort, the French 
and Indian sharp-shooters, posted in the trees on the hillside, kept 
up a deadly fire into the interior of the fort, silencing the guns, as it 
was death to approach them. When more than fifty of his men lay 
d«j^d and vounded in the little fort, Washington, finding it impossible to 



338 THE ADVENTURES OF STOBO. 

use his cannons, or even his rifles, against a foe whom he could not see, 
capitulated, the French allowing them to return to Virginia with every- 
thing except their artillery, retaining only two, Robert Stobo and Van 
Braam, as hostages for the restoration of the French taken prisoners at 
Juraonville's defeat. This capitulation took place July 4, 1754 ; and 
Washington, leaving his fort in the hands of the French, returned to 
Wills' Creek, where Fort Cumberland was erected to protect the now 

exposed frontier. 

The hostages were taken to Fort Duquesne, and treated with great 

courtesy ; but Stobo, violating his parole, sent a plan of the fort and 
details of the French forces to Washington. When this was discovered 
he was arrested, tried, and condemned to death. His life was, how 
ever, spared, though he had to undergo a long and very severe impris- 
onment. He failed in one effort to escape, but at last, winning the fa- 
vor of the jailer's daughter, he got away from Quebec, with several 
other prisoners. Their adventures are almost incredible. 

Finding a bark canoe, the}' started in it, and finally reached the 
southern bank of the St. Lawrence. Here they lay hid in the woods 
watching the parties in pursuit of them. At night they started down 
the river in their canoe, and for ten nights kept on their way, lying 
hid by day, and keeping alive by means of some provisions which they 
took from two Indians. Coming in sight of a French sloop, they sur- 
prised it, just as their canoe had become useless. Eluding a French 
frigate, they kept on more boldly, but were nearly wrecked. Just 
then they fell in with a French schooner, well armed and supplied, 
which they also took, and in it, after a thirty-eight days' voyage from 
Quebec, reached Louisburg. 

Dinwiddle had urged so strongly a general action on the part of the 



PLAN OF UMOX ADOPTED. 339 

colonies, that a Convention of Committees of the Assemblies of New 
York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and the Xew England colonies met at 
Albany, in June, 1754. 

Twenty-five delegates from all the colonies, from Xew Hampshire to 
Virginia, w-ere thus brought together, to form a plan for closer union, 
and though Virginia sent none, de Lancey of Xew York acted in her 
name, with full instructions from Dinwiddie, the projector of the scheme. 
The sachems of the Six Nations had also been summoned to a great 
council at Albany, and sent their wisest chieftains. Every voice de- 
clared that America could prosper only by a union of all the colonies. 
Governors appointed from England, patriots born and nurtured on 
American soil, all agreed in this. The irregular action of the separate 
colonies led only to disaster. Even the Indians taught them that they 
must unite or perish. "Look at the French," said an Iroquois chief, 
" they are men ; they are fortifying everj-where. But, we are ashamed 
to say it, you are like women, without anj fortifications. It is but 
one step from Canada hither, and the French may easily come and 
turn you out of doors." 

A committee was accordingly appointed to draw up a plan of union. 
They were all eminent men ; Benjamin Franklin, with Hutchinson of 
Massachusetts, Hopkins of Rhode Island, Pitkin of Connecticut, Tas- 
ker of Maryland, and Smith of New Y^ork. But Franklin had already 
conceived and matured a plan which he presented and which was 
adopted. 

It was a remarkable plan, foreshadowing the Republican Union 
which was to be formed in a few years. Philadelphia was to be the 
seat of the proposed Federal Government ; at its head was to be a 
Governor General appointed by the King. Then there was a grand 



340 FRANKLIN BECOMES PROMINENT. 

coHncil of members elected by the Legislatures of the diflferent colonies, 
according to the amount of contributions raised by them, no colony, 
however, to have less than two nor more than seven. The Governor 
General was to nominate all military officers, and the council all civil 
officers ; no money was to be issued except by the order of the Gov- 
ernor and council. 

Each colony was still to manage its own concerns, but this new gov- 
ernment was to establish new settlements, raise an army and navy, 
and apportion taxes among the colonies. 

This plan was adopted after considerable debate, but did not mee« 
With general favor. In England it was looked upon with distrust ; and 
the colonies feared that it would deprive them of liberties. 

But Franklin lived to see it carried out on even a grander scale 
than he dreamed of. 

Benjamin Franklin, who thus came prominently before the people of 
England and America, is one of the most illustrious of our country- 
men. Men have been esteemed great for a time, but gradually sink 
out of sight. This is not the case with Franklin. His fame still 
abides. 

Son of Josiah Franklin, one of a race of sturdy blacksmiths at Ec- 
ton, England, who, in the reign of James II., emigrated to New Eng- 
land, Benjamin was born at Bosten, January 17, 1706. His mother 
was the dau2;hter of Peter Folger, the old Nantucket poet. On the 
stone which covers their remains at Boston, their son inscribed, " He 
was a pious and prudent man ; she a discreet and virtuous woman." 

At the age of eight, Benjamin was sent to the public grammar school, 
where he learned to read, and write a clear, bold hand. In figures he 
did not excel. His school time was short. At the age of ten he was 



HE APPEARS IN PHILADELPHIA. 341 

taken into his father's tallow chandlery, but his brother James arrived 
from England two years after this, with material to set up a printing 
office. Bciijamin was apprenticed to him. He was a great reader, but 
he stuck to .some good books as his favorites, among them the Specta- 
tor, Cotton blather's " Essays to do Good," and De Foe's " Essay on 
Projects." 

When his brother started the " New England Courant," he became a 
contributor, but not daring to offer them openly, for fear of having 
them rejected contemptuously, he slipped them by night under the 
door, and then listened with satisfaction to the praise bestowed on 
them. 

The paper was a spicy one, and soon got into trouble in those strict 
3ays, so tliat before long, Benjamin found himself free from his appren- 
tice's indentures. Quarreling with his brother, he raised money by 
selling his books, and made his way in a sloop to New York, and so cm 
to Philadelphia, rowing part of the way on the Delaware. 

He entered Philadelphia tired, hungry, and almost penniless, one 
Sunday morning in the Fall of the year 1723. His person and his 
clothes were dirty ; his pockets stuffed with shirts and stockings ; for 
those were days of immense coats, and waistcoats, and cavernous pock- 
ets. Topped off with a broad-brinnned hat, he was an odd figure in- 
deed. He made his way to a baker's and bought three penny rolls, and 
was amazed to find them so much larger than in Boston. As he had no 
room in his j)ockets, he walked on with a roll under each arm, munch- 
ing the other. In this comical guise, he passed the house of Mr. Read, 
on Market Street, and excited the merriment of Miss Deborah, who, in 
all her Sunday finery, stood laughing at the uncouth young man, little 
dreaming that she was laughing at her future husband. He strolled on 



342 FIRST POSTMASTER-GENERAL. 

eating, and as one good Philadelphia roll satisfied him, he gave the other 
two to a poor woman and her child. He then entered the great Meet- 
ing-house of the Quakers, and as it was a silent meeting, the 
^l eary traveler soon fell asleep, and rested quietly till the service 
ended. 

He soon found employment as a printer, and found a friend in Sir 
William Keith, Grovernor of Pennsylvania, who urged him to set up in 
business for himself. His father declining to advance the money, Keith 
sent Franklin to London to purchase material, promising to send him 
a draft for the necessary amount. But great men sometimes have very 
short memories, and j'oung Franklin found he had gone on a fool's er ■ 
i;iud. He was not one to be disheartened, but went to work at his 
trade, and, after a stay of nearly two years in London, finding an op = 
portunity to go into business in Philadelphia, returned. But death 
soon broke up the concern, and Franklin went back to Keimig, his old 
employer. He was soon proprietor, editor, and printer of the Ga- 
zette, married Deborah Read, and became a prominent and active man. 
His paper abounded in short essays, in pointed sayings, and patriotic hints. 
His " Poor Richard's Almanac " became very popular from the max- 
ims which it contained, and was subsequently published under the 
title of " The Way to Wealth." 

In 1736, he began public life, as clerk of the General Assembly. 
He was soon after made Deputy Postmaster, established the first mag- 
azine published in America, and projected the American Philosophi- 
§al Society, and the Pennsylvania Hospital. 

He had just received his appointment fron London, as Postmaster 
General for the colonies, when he was sent to the Congress at Albany^ 
which has led us into this sketch of his life. 



CHAPTER n. 

Reign of George 11. Continued — Commencement of the Reign of George III. — War witn 

France renewed — General Braddock sent over with English Regulars — His Plans — He ai- 
teuipts to take Fort Du Quesne — Defeated and killed — The unfortunate Acadians — Baron 
Dieskau sent out by France — Defeated and taken on Lake Georg" — Montcalm takes Oswe- 
go — Louisburg taken by Boscawen and Amherst — Abercrombi j defeated by Montcalm at 
Ticonderoga — Bradstreet takes Fort Frontenac — William Pitt — Forbes advances on Fort 
Du Quesne — Sustains a Defeat — French evacuate Pittsburg — Johnson defeats d'Aubry and 
takes iSIiagara — Amterst drives the French from Lake Cham plain — Wolfe at Quebec — Bat- 
tle of the Heights of Abraham — Wolfe and Montcalm — De Levi defeats Murray and be- 
sieges Quebec — Canada surrenders — Close of the War. 

England and France were still at peace, and the English govern- 
ment gave the French King every assurance of their wish to maintain 
friendly relations, but at the same time prepared to send over to Amer- 
ica a formidable force of regular troops to conquer Canada. While the 
French government was instructing du Quesne, the Governor General 
of Canada, to act only on the defensive, to avoid bloodshed, and to 
strengthen Canada by Indian alliances, Edward Braddock, Major Gen- 
eral and Commander-in-Chief of the English forces, was on his way 
with a regiment of British regulars across the Atlantic, and soon arrived 
in the Chesapeake. He was a harsh, brutal man, strict in discipline, 
and brave. 

He met the Governors of several colonies at Williamsburg ; but 
found no revenue raised, and no likelihood that any would be. His in- 
structions had increased the general suspicion of the colonists, for it 
was laid down that the colonial officers were to have no rank when 
serving with the King's officers. Eager as Washington was to fight in 
the cause of the colonies, he resigned in disgust. 

While matters were in this unpromising condition, France, at last 



344 THE BAD FAITH OF ENGLAND. 

convinced of the bad faith of England, sent reinforcements to Canada, 
nnder the veteran Dieslvau. The English (rovernmeut sent Admiral Bos- 
cawen in pursuit of the French fleet ; he overtook it, and without any 
declaration of war, captured two of the French ships off Cape Race. 

Thus the war began on the ocean. 

The rest of the French fleet, with Dieskau and Vaudreuil, the new 
Governor General of Canada, himself a Canadian by birth, reached 
Quebec. 

Braddock, at Alexandria, proposed four expeditions against the 
French. Lieutenant Governor Lawrence, of Nova Scotia, was to drive 
the French from all that district ; Sir William Johnson, who had great 
influence with the Six Nations, was to lead a force of militia aad Indi- 
ans to reduce Fort St. Frederic at Crown Point ; Governor Shirley, of 
Massachusetts, was to take Niagara, unless Braddock himself captured 
it after taking FortDuQuesne, which he said could detain him only three 
or four days. 

At last, after great difficulties, Braddock got his army in motion, and 
at Cumberland two thousand effective men were assembled. Washington 
attended Braddock as one of his aids. Daniel Morgan, famous in his 
Jersey village as a wrestler and a deadly marksman, was a wagoner. 

On tlie 19th of June, Braddock, by Washingtou's advice, left Dun- 
bar behind, and pushed on more rapidly with twelve hundred picked 
men. Washington knew something of the frontier life, and knew that 
the French were prompt and active. 

On the 8th of July, they were within twelve miles of FortDu Quesne. 
The French authorities had given up all hopes of saving it ; the Indians, 
whose runners had brought in tidings of the great English force, looked 
upon resistance as hopeless. One man felt too proud to yield without a 



THE BATTLE IN THE WOODS. 345 

blow. Daniel Lienard de Beaiijeu had just been made commandant of 
Fort Du Quesneand the French troops on the Ohio. He called on the In- 
dians to go ont with his .<5mall force and meet the enemy. They treated 
him as a madman. Then he resolved to go with his handful of Cana- 
dians. As he tiled out with his petty force, after attending divine ser- 
vice in the chapel of the fort, he tauntingh' told the Indians to go to 
Quebec, and report that they had seen him go to die, and had not dared 
follow him. Stung at this, they took up their arms, and marched witn 
his little band. 

Beaujeu's intention v/as to ambuscade the ford of the Monongahela, 
but the refusal of the Indians had made him lose precious moments. 
As that glorious summer day dawned on the river and the woods that 
lined it, Beaujeu, a tall, slight man, in his frontier-dress, with only his 
officer's gorget or crescent at his neck to mark his rank, himself, at the 
ver}^ head of his men, came full in sight of the British and American 
force moving up from the river-bank. The burnished arms gleamed la 
the summer sun ; the regular tread of the infantry, the gay uniforms 
and lines of cannon, all were before him. He did not recoil. Waving 
his carbine over his head, he ran on towards the English, leaping and 
cheering on his men. On rushed Canadian and Indian, with yell and 
cries. The English advance, under Gage, was swept back ; before they 
could recover their senses, their artiller}- was captured, and they were 
driven back on the vanguard, while the Canadians and Indians, taking 
to the trees on the flanks, by their deadly volleys increased the confu- 
sion and di.smay. Brnddoek hurried on, and drew up his remaining guns, 
but tfeere was no enemy in view. The forests echoed with the thunder 
of cannon, as the balls tore through the ancient trees, but still the fight 
went on ; the French pressing steadily on them. At last Beaujeu, 



34^ THE DEFEAT AT MONONGAMELA. 

their commander, fell, but Dumas took command. For two hours the 
English kept up the battle, few of them getting a glimpse even of theio 
enemy. The regulars, at last, terrified by the yells and by the strange 
kind of warfare, lost all control, fired at random, even killing their oflB- 
cers, and at last broke and ran. Sir Peter Halket and twenty-six offi- 
cers were killed, and seven hundred and fourteen men killed or 
wounded ; of Braddock's aids, Washington alone was alive ; two horses 
were killed under him ; his clothes torn by bullets, for an Indian chief 
aimed repeatedly at one in whom he saw a dangerous enemy. " Some 
potent Manitou guards his life," said the Indian. "By the all power- 
ful dispensations of Providence I have been protected." Braddock 
had mounted his sixth horse, when a bullet entered his side and he 
fell mortally wounded. Then all was confusion. The Virginia troops 
under Washington covered the flight, and were nearly cut to pieces. 
Of three companies scarcely twentj^ men were left alive. 

As this disorderly horde rushed panting into Dunbar's camp, that 
officer caught the panic. He destroyed his cannon, stores, and baggage 
to the value of £100,000, and evacuated Fort Cumberland, to retreat 
to Philadelphia, burying Braddock by the way-side, near Fort Necessity. 

The ground, still known as Braddock's field, was in the hands of the 
French. The forest glade was strewn with dead and wounded, with 
artillery, arms, equipments. Never had such a victory been achieved, 
and at so slight a cost, for the French lost only three officers and thirty 
men. 

Beaujeu, who died in the arms of victory, was borne to Fort du 
Quesne through the woods. It was a strange funeral, as chiefs, in the 
spoils of English officers, with their faces and bodies in all their war- 
paint, with scalp, yell, and rattle of firearms, stalked beside the bier 



FIGHTING THE FRENCH A SERIOUS BUSINESS. 34/ 

of cue who had shown such skill and valor. The old friar in the fort 
chanted a requiem mass and consigned the body of Beaujeu to earth 
in the little cemetery of the fort. 

Such was the battle of the Monongahela, as the French call it, or 
Braddock's Defeat, as it is generally known in our annals. 

Unexpected as a victory to the French, it filled them with enthusi- 
asm ; unexpected as a defeat to the colonies, and to England, it did 
precisely what was required at the moment. All were now ready to 
vote money and raise men to carry on the war. This fighting the 
French was a serious business. 

The British general selected by the crown, full of pride in the supe- 
rior military skill of the Old World, was shamefull}' defeated, and killed 
at the very first step by a handful of provincials, and all his great 
plans of conquest were scattered to the winds, his best army lost, with 
all its artillery and munitions. 

Of all the plan of Braddock, but one part had succeeded, and that 
was one of the greatest crimes in American history ; this was the 
seizure of the Acadians. 

After the conquest of Acadia, or Nova Scotia, the French Govern- 
ment invited the French settlers in that colony to remove to Cape Breton ; 
but as the English Grovernment, unwilling to have the country depopu- 
lated, offered them inducements to stay, they unfortunately remained. 
Their position was one of great difficulty, then and ever after. Many 
would have emigrated, if they could have sold their farms, but there 
was no one to bu3^ They naturally sympathized with the French and 
did not wish to fight against them. From time to time they were subject- 
ed to many hardships and oppressive acts, but always lived in hope of 
better times, endeavoring to keep peacefully in their quiet settlements. 



348 THE TRAGEDY AT ACADIA. 

They were now called upon to take a new oath of allegiance, in 
which they would swear to tight against their countrymen, and as 
it was icnowu that ihey would refuse, preparations were uuide to de- 
stroy their settlements and carry them olf. Had they been enemies, such 
an attack on them, when unarmed and defenseless, and the ravaging 
of their country, would have been a horrible deed ; but they were act- 
uall}' under the protection of the laws of the Government which thus 
treated them. 

On the 2d of September, Winslow arrived with a fleet, and sum- 
moned all the men to meet in tlie church at Grandpre, on Friday the 
5th. Wlicn they had entered, he read a proclamation declaring all 
their property forfeited and themselves prisoners. 

They were then marched down to the shore, and in squads sent on 
board the ships ; their families sent separatel}', no regard being paid to 
family ties or atlection. Seldom has such a scene been witnessed, of 
cold-blooded malignity on the one hand, or of such sudden and unex- 
pected calamity. And while they were huddled on the bleak shore, or 
proceeding to the ships, tlie}' saw the savage soldiery tiring their vil- 
lages, burning church, and house, and barns, so that the whole country 
was in flames ; at least a thousand buildings were thus destroj^ed, and 
fifteen thousand unfortunate people torn from their homes, and hurried 
awa.y to a strange land. Had they been taken to France, they would 
have found sym|)athy and relief, but, with a cruelty that was fiendish, 
they were scattered all along the coast, from New Hampshire to Geor- 
gia. They were cast ashore without any means of support ; with no 
place before them but the poor-house. Many, by unheard-of hardships, 
reached their countrj'men in Louisiana or Canada ; many on their 
way were arrested and taken off again. 






r y^^ 


s 


■^■"^^ 


7 

r 


^.i 


ii 

p 


>1l 


r . 


'~,,:i,'- ■ 




3\ ? 




-^ 


1 



-v^ 




"TOO FEW TO FIGHT TOO MANY TO KILL." 349 

Five of their leading men, who had been put ashore in Pennsylvania, 
petitioned the brutal and ignorant Lord Loudun, the British Com- 
mander-in-Chief, for some relief, but he seized them and sent them lo 
England, asking that they should be impressed into the navy as common 
sailors, although all men of dignity and wealth in their own land. 

Bancroft saj^s of these unlbrtuuate people : "I know not if the an- 
nals of the human race keep the record of sorrows so wantonly inflict- 
ed, so bitter, and so perennial as fell upon the French inhabitants of 
Acadia. " 

Tlie army intended to attack Fort St. Frederic, at Crown Point, con- 
sisted of New England militia, and was commanded b}" William John- 
sou. Fort Edward was erected, and Johnson, at tlie end of August, 
advanced to the shore of Lake George, and encamped with his force of 
three thousand four hundred men. 

Dieskau, the French commander, seeing him so dilatory and care- 
less, resolved to attack Fort Edward. He advanced along Wood Creek, 
but his guides led him astray, and being nearer to Johnson's camp, he 
determined to attack it. 

Johnson, startled to hear that the French were actually in his rear, 
sent a force under Colonel Williams of Massachusetts, and Hendricks, 
the old Mohawk chief, to relieve Fort Edward. His first intention was 
to send out only a scouting partv, but Hendrick, the old Mohawk chief, 
said : " If they are to fight, they are too few ; if they are to be killed, 
they are too many." Accordinglj', a detachment of twelve hun- 
dred marched out. The Fnucl; and Indiai>s posted themselves in 
ambush at Rocky Brook, lour miles from Lake George, in a 
semicircle on both sides of the route, concealed on the left by tlie 
thickets in the swamps, and on the right by rocks and trees. 



350 VICTORY OF THE NEW ENGLAND TROOPS. 

The Freuch Mohawks let their New York coiintrymen pass, then from 
every rock and tree came the deadly ball, as the rocks echoed back the 
rattle of musketry. Williams and Hendrick fell, the former near a large 
boulder still shown as Williams' rock ; Nathan Whiting, of New Haven, 
restored order, and by rallying from time to time, and keeping up a 
lire, managed to save part of the force. 

At the camp all was confusion. A few cannon were brought up 
from the lalvc, and the axe flashed as the sturdy arms hewed down 
trees to form some kind of intrenchment. Dieskau came in view of 
the enemy about eleven o'clock in the morning, having reached an em- 
inence overlooking Johnson's camj), and the American troops, from 
tlieir position, saw the polished arms of the French on the hill-top, glit- 
tering through the trees, as platoon after platoon passed down. Die- 
skau's arm\' was discontented and weary. The Indians and Canadians 
asked time to rest before attacking the enemy ; the French Mohawks 
actually halted ; then tlie Abnakis did the same, and the Canadians, 
seeing something wrong, hesitated. Without waiting to form a plan of 
action, or giving his men time to rest and recover, Dieskau charged with 
his regulars according to European ideas of war. They came down 
the hill into the clearing in splendid style, and under a terrible lire 
from the New England troops, who lay flat down behind their intrench- 
ment of trees, the gallant French endeavored to push their way into 
the camp. For five hours the light was maintained, till nearly all the 
French regulars perished ; the Indians and Canadians, galled by the 
English artillery, and utterly demoralized, giving them but feeble sup- 
port. At last the regulars gave way. Dieskau had received three 
wounds, and finding that he could not be carried from the field, calmly 
sat down on a stump to meet his fate. Then the English troops charged 



GENERAL ABERCROMBIE AT ALBANY. 35 1 

from their camp ; a renegade Frenchman shot the unfortunate general, 
giving him a woiuid iVom which he never recovered. 

The French rallied at their battle-field of the morning, and were rest- 
ing there Avhen they were suddenly attacked and routed bj' some New 
Hampshire troops, under the brave Captain McGinnis, who fell in tlio 
arms of victory. 

So ended the third engagement fought on that bloody 8th of Sep- 
tember, 1755, in which nearly a thousand men were killed and 
wounded. 

In tlii.s battle Johnson was wounded early in the action, and the bat- 
tle was really fought and gained bj' General Lyman of Connecticut, 
but the merit of the American was overlooked, while Johnson obtained 
all the credit, a large grant of money from Parliament, and was created 
a baronet. 

He neglected to take advantage of his victory, and building Fort 
William Henry on the site of his camp, allowed the French to occupy 
and fortify Ticonderoga, while he returned to Albany. 

Shirley was to have met Braddock at Niagara, but he got no further 
than Oswego, where he built a new fort, which he left in command of 
Mercer and returned. 

During the Winter, Shirley, in a Congress of Governors, planned the 
campaign for 1756 ; but war had been declared at last in Europe, and 
England sent over Lord Loudun, as Commander-in-Chief, with Aber- 
crombie as next in command, and a large force of soldiers with tents, 
ammunition, and artillery for a long campaign, and German officers to 
drill the American militia. 

Abercrombie reached Albany, and quartered his troops on the citi- 
zens. News came in that a French army was advancing on Oswego, 



352 THE FREXCH WERE NOT INACTIVE. 

which had just been supplied with provisions by Bradstreet, but Aber- 
crorabie and Loudoun, with ten or twelve thousand men at their or- 
ders, lay inactive. 

The Six Nations, disgusted at such conduct, sent to the French to 
propose neutrality. 

The Fi'cnch were not inactive. They were, indeed, preparing to at- 
tack Oswego, and on the 27th of March, 1756, a convoy of provisions 
and supplies for Oswego was surprised near Fort Bull by a French party 
Iroin Fort Presentation, now Ogdensburg, under the command of Lieu- 
tenant de Lery. But this attack warned the little garrison of Fort 
Bull, and they prepared to hold the ]iost. De Lery attacked it, and 
after a stubborn light the French entered the fort. But the cry of 
alarm rose, the desperate garrison had fired the powder-magazine, and 
the French had barely time to draw off when, Avith a roar like thunder, 
an explosion sent in all directions the material of the fort, and the 
valuable munitions stored there. Tims, by the inaction of the English 
generals, the line of forts carefully prepared by the provincial authori- 
ties was broken and Oswego isolated. Then the energetic de Yilliers 
posted himself at the mouth of Sandy Creek, and by his vigilance and 
activity completely cut Oswego off from all relief. 

France had seen the English armaments cross die Atlantic. She, 
too, sent her well-trained regulars, with abundant supplies, and at their 
head one of the knightliest of men, the Marquis de Montcalm, whose 
brother is remembered in history as one of the infant prodigies. This 
capable soldier, a man able to understand what war in America was to 
be, hastened at once to Ticonderoga, examined all the country around 
it, and took measures for its defense. Then he resolved by secrecy 
and celerity to take Oswego. Some of his troops were already at Fort 



MONTCALM PROMPT AND ENERGETIC. 353 

Frontenac ; he led others in person from Montreal, regiments of regulars, 
and a large force of Canadians and Indians. On the morning of the 4tk 
of August he reviewed his troops at Fort Frontenac ; before midnight, 
on the 6th, lie was at anchor in Sackett's Harbor. 

The English had for years been fortifying Oswego. The main fort 
was on the right bank of the river, a large stone building surrounded 
by a wall flanked by bastions. On the other bank of the river frown- 
ed Fort Ontario, erected more recently. This outpost was at once in- 
vested, and ihough the garrison held out for a day, they at last, at night- 
fall, spiked their guns and retreated to Fort Oswego, under cover of 
the darkness. 

Montcalm occupied the fort at once, and turned the cannons on Fort 
Oswesi'o, while Rigaud, with a detachment, crossed the river under lire, 
and gained a wooded height beyond the fort, cutting it off from another 
little work called Fort George. The next morning a furious fire was 
opened upon the fort, and at eight o'clock. Colonel Mercer was killed, 
and the wall was soon breached. Just as Montcalm was preparing to 
storm the place, Littlehales, at ten o'clock, hoisted the white flag. 
Montcalm gave them no time, but insisted on an immediate surrender, 
for he had intercepted a letter announcing that General Webb was on 
his way to relieve the fort, General Loudoun having at last concluded 
that there was some danger. B}' eleven o'clock the capitulation was 
signed, and Shirley's and Pepperell's regiments, sixteen hundred strong, 
marched out as prisoners of war, to be sent down the St. Lawrence. 
More than a hundred cannon, six vessels of war, a large number of 
boats, and great quantities of ammunition and provisions remained with 
the forts in the hands of the prompt and energetic Montcalm. He 
planted tJie cross and the arms of France, then demolished the forts 



354 JOHN STARK WINS HIS FIRST PROMOTION. 

almost in sight of Webb, who, learning the fall extent of the dis- 
aster, retreated with the haste he should have shown in coming. 

Loudoun quartered his useless array on New York and Philadelphia, 
leaving the French in possession of the frontiers, and the Indians 
ravaging all the distant settlements. 

But while the English commanders were thus losing valuable time, 
and the Governors of the colonies were planning the next campaign, 
there was hot work going on. Lake Champlain, even in mid-winter, 
was a battle-ground. Among the American rangers at Fort William 
Henry were men who were one day to occupy no inconsiderable place 
in their country's history, John Stark and Israel Putnam. 

Many were the exploits of the rangers. Soon after the opening of 
the year 1757, Stark, with seventy-four men, started down the frozen 
surface of the lake on a scout. Between Ticonderoga and Crown 
Point they saw a French party of ten or eleven sledges come dashing 
on, gay and inerrj-. A sudden dash, a brisk fire, three sledges are 
captured, with seven prisoners. The rest give the alarm, and out 
swarm a party of French and Indians, more than double the number 
of Stark's force. He gained a rising ground, and a covert of trees. 
There he kept up the fight all day loug. At night he effected a 
retreat, with a loss of twenty killed and missing. This exploit won 
Stark his first promotion. 

Israel Putnam had been fond of adventure from his boyhood in 
Connecticut ; and many stories are told showing his fearless courage 
and persistent daring. One of our historical scholars has worked hard 
to show that the}" are all only stories, but we shall tell some, and if 
the reader believes them, we cannot help it. 

One day, he, with a party of boys, espied a fine bird's nest on a very 



TWO STORIES OF ISRAEL PUTNAM. 355 

high tree. "I'll wager," said young Israel, " that there is not a boy 
for ten miles around that can get that nest," and when all agreed, still 
turning their longing looks at the unattainable prize, he cried out, " I'll 
trj'." Up he swarmed, and reached the limb, but it was too slender to 
bear his weight ; still he attempted to climb out on it ; a crackling 
sound was heard, but though his young comrades, full of terror, cried 
out to him not to venture, on he went. "I've got it," he shouted, but 
his cry was premature, the limb broke and he fell. Fortunately his 
trowsers caught in one of the lower limbs, and there he hung head 
downward. 

" Put, are you hurt?" they asked. "No," he replied, "but I can't 
get down unless some one can get up here and cut me clear." There 
was no knife among them, and seeing their hesitation, he called out to 
one who had a rifle, 

"Jim Randall, fire at the little branch that holds me, and if you are 
a good shot save me." 

"But you'll fall!" 

" Jim Randall, will you fire ! " and fire he did ; the ball struck, the 
splinters flew, and Putnam fell to the ground, escaping with a few 
bruises. When they had picked him up, and he could breathe, he 
stuck his hand into his pocket and drew out the nest : "I said I 
would get that nest, and I was bound to have it." 

His adventure with the wolf some years later was a famous one, 
and was repeated in various forms in schoolbooks for years. 

An old she-wolf had ravaged the sheepfolds of all the Pomfret far- 
mers, and was finally tracked to a cave on the Connecticut. All at- 
tempts to worry and smoke her out failed. Then Putnam ventured in 
with a torch in one hand, and a rope attached to his leg, that he might 



356 Stark's foresight saves the fort. 

lie drawn out if necessary. He found the cavern slope down for some 
lifteen feet, then, after a level of ten, ascend for about sixteen feet. He 
kept steadily on till his torchlight flashed in the eyes of the savage 
brute. Jerking the rope he was drawn out, and entering with his rifle, 
killed her as she was springing on him. As soon as he fired they 
drew him out, but he went back to drag her out. 

Early in the war he had enlisted a number of his neighbors, and re- 
ported himself at Fort William Henry. 

As March, 1757, wore on, Peter Francis de Rigaud, a brother of 
the Governor of Canada, set out on a winter expedition against Fort 
William Henry, a march of a hundred and eighty miles, in snow-shoes, 
dragging their provisions on sledges, using dogs to draw them over the 
smooth ice. Such was the service to which the hardy Canadians 
were inured. On the night of the 16th, the eve of St. Patrick's day, they 
came in sight of the fort, as they had planned ; for knowing that there 
were many Irishmen in tlie British regulars, they counted on a general 
merrymaking in the fort, and very little watchfulness for any enemy. 
They had reckoned well. The liquor flowed free and fast, but Stark, 
who was temporarily in command of the Rangers, man}' of whom were 
Irish, fearful of mischief, forbade the sutler to issue any spirits to the 
men without a written order, and then pretended to have such a lame 
hand that he could not write one. While all is merry within, a French 
pioneer tries the ice without with his axe, then a rush is made with 
scaling-ladders to surprise the fort. Stark's foresight saved it. The 
Rangers held them at bay, and after a sharp struggle, brave Rigaud drew 
off, finding his force too small ; but he burned three vessels, three hun- 
dred batteaux, large boats for carrying troops, and the huts of the Ran- 
gers within their pickets, and the store-houses. If he failed to carry 



MONTCALM AND HIS INDIAN ALLIES. 357 

William Henry, at least he prevented any English movement against 
Fort Carillon at Ticonderoga. 

Loudoun now formed a new plan. Leaving Bouquet to watch the 
Carolina frontier, Stanwix the West, and Webb at Lake George, he 
prepared, with the New England and Nova Scotia forces, to take 
Louisburg. The slow English general impressed four hundred men 
at New York, and seized vessels, and, with his army, including five 
thousand regulars who had just come over under Lord Howe, he sailed 
to Halifax. There he heard what he should have learned before, that 
Louisburg was held by a very strong garrison, and covered by a large 
French fleet. His whole work was useless, and he sailed back to New 
York without striking a blow. 

The French had been wide awake. " Now is our time," said they. 
Montcalm, with fresh troops from France, and Indians from the West, 
was preparing to move on Fort George ; and the French forts on the 
lake were all strong, with intrenched camps between them. Montcalm 
was soon on the spot, showing officers and men an example of endur- 
ance and watchfulness. The French parties swarmed around the 
English posts. No one could venture out. Marin in one expedition 
returned with forty-two scalps. But the American boatmen boldly 
held the lake. The Ottawas resolved to teach them a lesson. On 
the 24th of July, they ambuscaded Colonel Palmer's barges. The 
Indians rushed on his party suddenly, terrified them by their yells, so 
that only two barges escaped, all the rest were taken or sunk ; a hun- 
dred and sixty of the Americans perished, nearly as many, including 
eight officers, were taken prisoners. 

Then on the plain above the portage of Lake George, Montcalm held 
a general council of all his Indian allies, tribes from the banks of Lake 



358 ENGLISH GARRISON TAKEN BY SURPRISE. 

Superior and Lake Michigan, to tribes on the sea-coast of Maine. 
To the Iroquois, as the most numerous, he gave the great Wampum 
belt of six thousand beads, which was to bind them all together. 
The Iroquois gave it in turn to the Ottawas, and other western tribes. 

Then, slowly and cautiousl3^ he moved up the lake to attack the 
fort. On the morning of the 2d of August, the Indians launched 
boldly out into the lake, and in a long line of canoes stretched across 
its beautiful bosom, making the shores echo with their furious war-cry. 

The English garrison under Colonel Monro were taken by surprise. 
They were surrounded on all sides. La Corne with his Canadians cut 
them off from the Hudson, Montcalm with his main body occupied the 
skirt of the wood on the west side of the lake, and detachments 
burned all the Enorlish barracks, and cut off the strasfglers. 

Webb lay at Fort Edward with four thousand men, and could have 
called out the militia, but he did nothing, leaving the gallant Monro and 
his garrison of five hundred, and the seventeen hundred in the camp 
to their fate. On the 4th of August, Montcalm summoned him to 
surrender, but Monro's answer was a defiance. Then the siege be- 
gan, and the artillery soon opened on the fort, and the French lines 
narrowed in. At last, when half his guns had been dismounted and 
his ammunition .was almost spent, Monro hung out a flag of truce. 

The siege had cost the English one hundred and eight killed, one 
hundred and fifty wounded ; while that of the French, though the 
attacking party, had not been half that number. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Youne met Montcalm in the French trench. 
The French general at once summoned the Indian chiefs, that they 
might concur in the terms granted, and adhere to them. At noon, 
the capitulation was signed. The English, pledging themselves not to 



FRENCH SAVE THE ENGLISH FROM MASSACRE. 359 

serve against the P'rench for eighteen months, were to lie sent to Fort 
Edward under an escort, with their private effects, leaving all the arms 
and munitions of war; all the French and Indian prisoners were to 
be liberated. Montcalm had kept all intoxicatimr drinks from his 
Indians, and urged the English to destroy everything of the kind in 
the fort. At night, the English garrison retired to the camp under 
French guard, and Montcalm occupied the fort. By a fatal impru- 
dence, the English neglected to destroy the liquor, and, what was 
worse, gave it freely to the Indians. The night was a hideous debauch- 
ery. At daybreak, as the English troops filed out, the drunken In- 
dians began to plunder and then to tomahawk them. Many — thirty, 
perhaps fifty — were slain ; others fled to the woods. The little French 
escort was powerless ; Montcalm hurried up with his officers, and a 
corps of troops, and many were wounded in attempting to save the 
English. At last the\- gathered fifteen hundred of the terror-stricken 
people, and in all haste guided them to Fort Edward. Others, in the 
midst of the French, reached Fort William Henry again, and for days 
cannon were fired, and scouting parties sent out till five hundred 
more were collected, who were escorted to Albany. 

This massacre, more than the battle, filled all with terror. Webb lay 
shivering at Fort Edward ; Albany, in danger, called on New England 
for aid ; people west of the Connecticut were ordered to destroy their 
wagons and drive in their cattle. Loudoun, whose pompous plans 
were to demolisli French power, proposed to encamp on Long Island 
so as to save tlie British colonies ! 

Montcalm demolished the fort, however, and withdrew. His Cana- 
dians had their harvests to gather in, for these men alternately fought 
and tilled the soil. The vast stores of the English army were a treas- 



360 ENGLISH DRIVEN FROM LAKE CHAMPLAIN. 

ure to Canada, and were won with a loss of only fifty-three 
men. 

The English were driven from Lake Champlain, now left to its soli- 
tude ; they were driven from Lake Ontario ; they had been driven from 
the Ohio. France seemed to predominate in North America. Eno-- 
land and her colonies were humiliated. Yet the power of France huno- 
by a thread. Canada was really exhausted, and abandoned by the un- 
worthy King of France, whose name and whose vile favorites' names 
are never uttered, even now, by old Canadian-French without the ex- 
pression of the deepest contempt. " I shudder," wrote Montcalm, in 
February, 1758, "when I think of provisions. The famine is very 
great." " For all our success New France needs peace. Otherwise, 
sooner or later it must fall, such are the numbers of the English, such 
the difficulties of our receiving supplies." 

Bread was dealt out by weight to soldiers and inhabitants. The 
only hope was in the wonderful genius of Montcalm, and the misman- 
agement of the English commanders. 

But a new spirit had been infused into English affairs. Pitt was 
called to the ministry by the will of the English people. His vigorous 
mind gave order and system to the whole conduct of the war. 

As before, three several expeditions were set on foot. A fleet, under 
Admiral Boscawen, was to bear to Cape Breton an army under the 
cautious Jeffrey Amherst and James Wolfe, whose singular military 
ability had been already remarked. General Forbes, with another 
army, was to accomplish what Braddock had failed in, the conquest of 
the Ohio valley ; while the army to operate against the French on Lake 
Champlain, and reduce the enemy's forts. Carillon at Ticonderoga, and 
St. Frederic at Crown Point, was to be commanded by Abercrombie, 



LOUISBURU TAKEN FRENCH FLEET DESTROYED. 361 

with whom Pitt associated Lord Howe as the real soul of the enter- 
prise. 

The armies were to be well officered, and to lack nothing really 
required. 

Boscawen's fleet of twenty-two ships of the line and fifteen frigates, 
in June, 1758, was discerned from the walls of Louisburg. Under 
the fire of the frigates, the army of ten thousand men landed, through 
the surf-beaten, rocky shore, Wolfe leading the first division, and 
jumping into the water to form his men, and charge the French 
battery and abattis of felled trees. The French were driven in and 
the place invested. Thus one point was gained. Wolfe, heading the 
light infantry and Highlanders, soon gained another, surprising the 
lighthouse battery on the northeast of the harbor entrance. 

Then for more than a month the siege went on, the English ships 
and batteries hurling their shells into the doomed place till it was 
but a heap of ruins. The French ships in the harbor were burned or 
captured by Boscawen. 

The Chevalier de Drucour had done all that a brave man could. 
On the 27th of July, 1758, he capitulated, the French forces were 
sent to France, and the English commander took possession of Cape 
Breton and Prince Edward's Island. 

Louisburg, once a thriving city, with the strongest fortress in the 
New World, was left to decay. It is now only a mass of ruins, one 
of the cities of the past, like Jamestown and St. Mary's. 

That same month beheld another and still more formidable English 
army at Lake Champlain. Nearly ten thousand provincial troops from 
New England, New York, and New Jersey, among them Rogers' ex- 
perienced and daring Rangers, had gathered, with their own officers 



362 PREPARING FOR BATTLE. 

and chaplains, and beside them lay the more soldierly-looking camp, 
where six thousand regulars, trained in battle-fields and campaigns 
of the Old World, prepared for action. It was by far the largest body 
of white troops ever assembled in North America. This host em- 
barked on the beautiful waters of Lake George, in more than a thou- 
sand batteaux and boats, with their artillery on rafts, all gay with 
flags, while the martial strains from the bands woke the echoes. All 
day long, under a cloudless sky, the fleet moved on undisturbed by 
the appearance of a foeman. Landing at sunset, at Sabbath Day 
Point, they began to talk over the fight of the coming day. 

Montcalm, in himself a host, vigilant, active, farsighted, had been 
long aware of the force approaching him. His Fort Carillon was 
strongly placed. He improved its advantages by destroying bridges 
and encumbering roads. His own position, on a height, he fortified 
by felling trees, and using every natural impediment. He called in 
all his outposts but one under de Trepezec, and every man plied the 
axe to strengthen and defend the lines. 

Early the next morning, the English, under Howe, landed on the 
west side of the lake, about a mile above the rapids. Bourlamaque, 
sent out to watch their movements, fell back slowly. De Trepezec, 
misled by guides, suddenly came upon the English advance near Trout 
Brook. Without regarding the disparity of numbers, de Trepezec 
charged ; the contest was short and desperate ; half the French per- 
ished, half remained prisoners, but the cause of English supremacy 
lost Lord Howe, who fell at the head of his men. Abercrombie with- 
drew his troops to their landing-place. The next day he prepared to 
attack Montcalm in form. A triple line was formed, out of cannon- 
shot ; rangers, boatmen, and light infantry in the van ; then the pro- 



MONTCALM GAINS THE VICTORY. 363 

vincial troops ; the regulars forming the third hne. Johnson, who 
came up with his Indians, took no part. 

Montcalm's little force were still laboring at their intrenchments, 
when the cannon sounded to bid them drop axe, and spade, and pick, 
and seize their muskets. De Levi had come in the night before with 
four hundred men, and they were all sanguine. Montcalm, at a point 
where his keen eye could sweep the line, threw off his coat for a hot 
day's work. The English regulars were to pass through the pro- 
vincials, and carry the French line with a charge of bayonets. The 
French were to keep motionless till the order to fire. Thus, without 
a shot on either side, the English line moved on. Up and up the 
rocky hill-side, it moved in splendid style, till it became disordered 
amid the rocks, and trees, and rubbish. Then, from the whole French 
line, came a well-delivered and continuous fire of cannon and mus- 
ketry. Officers and men went down by hundreds, but, thougli Aber- 
crombie was far in the rear, the officers in the field fought like heroes ; 
again and again, they led up their men to assail the less complete parts 
of the French lines, and endeavoring to turn their left, where Bour- 
lamaque repulsed them till he was dangerously wounded, and was 
hard pressed. The fate of the day seemed to waver, when Montcalm 
sent reinforcements that saved his line. 

For three hours the attacks were incessant, and the whole force was 
thrown on the French centre and left. Again Montcalm and de Levi 
were at hand, and the English line repulsed. One last desperate 
charee on the centre, and the battle was over; the Enor-lish line fell 
back in such disorder that they fired Into each other. The battle of 
Ticonderoga was lost. Two thousand English lay dead or wounded 
on the bloody slope. 



364 BRADSTREET CAPTURES FORT DU QUESNE, 

Abercrombie, in fright and consternation, with an army four times 
that of Montcalm, fled to his boats in disorder, and did not feel safe 
till he had the lake between him and the French. 

To keep up the panic, Montcalm sent out daring parties. One of 
these seized a convoy between two of Abercrombie's forts. Rogers 
with his rangers attempted to surprise them. A brisk action occurred, 
in which Putnam, commanding the rear, was captured with twelve or 
fourteen rangers. His men were cut down at once. Himself, too 
noble a prize, was bound to a tree, and a tomahawk, hurled in wanton- 
ness, laid open his cheek. The stake would have been surely his fate 
had not Marin, a French officer, rescued him, and finally, after many 
hardships at the hands of the Indians, enabled him to reach Montreal. 

Bradstreet, a provincial officer, had early in the campaign asked 
leave to operate against Fort Frontenac, now Kingston. At last Aber- 
crombie listened to him. Bradstreet, with twenty-seven hundred 
men of New York and Massachusetts, and a few Indians, pushed on 
to Oswego, whence he passed in boats across Lake Ontario, and on 
the 25th of August landed within a mile of the fortress by which 
France controlled the lake. 

The French garrison, at the unexpected appearance of an English 
force, fled, leaving a few to surrender to Bradstreet the fort, with the 
armed vessels under its guns, and all the supplies intended for Fort 
du Ouesne, and the other frontier posts, which were thus doomed. 
Bradstreet's success thus secured that of Forbes, who, with an army of 
Highlanders from South Carolina, Royal Americans, two fine Virginia 
regiments under Washington, prepared to reduce Fort du Ouesne. 
Wayne was here as a boy to see what war was like, and the future 
painter. West, was able here to see subjects for his pencil in later days. 



ENGLISH TAKE POSSESSION OF PITTSBURG. 365 

Bouquet, who was in the advance, detached eight hundred High- 
landers and Virginians under Grant to reconnoitre. Grant, unaware 
that Aubry had reached the French fort with a reinforcement, con- 
ceived the plan of taking it. He advanced in sight, and posted his 
men so as to cut off a party sallying out. But Aubry rushed out with 
his whole force, attacking Grant with such fury along his whole line, 
that he gave him no time to get his men together, but routed his 
whole command so completely that Grant fled, leaving nearly three 
hundred killed or prisoners. Grant, a few moments before elated 
with the idea of victory, was himself taken. 

Forbes, who was dying with a fatal malady, came slowly on ; so 
slowly, that Washington at last obtained leave to push on more rap- 
idly with a part of the force. On the 24th of November, 1758, the 
general encamped within ten miles of the fort. Then de Lignery, 
the French commander, who had long been out of provisions, and of 
goiids to win the Indians, set fire to the fort which had begun the 
war ; lighted by the flames, his boats pushed off, some for Fort 
Machault,"some for the Mississippi. The next day, the English army 
took possession of the spot, which at the suggestion of Forbes, was 
named in honor of the statesman who had planned the conduct of the 
war. Pittsburg is still a monument of his ability and of the grat- 
itude felt towards him in America. 

One of their first cares was to visit Braddock's field, and inter the 
bones of their countrymen who fell in that disastrous day. 

Both parties prepared for the campaign of 1 759. Pitt planned 
again three expeditions, and sent from England men and supplies 
to ensure their success. France did nothing to save Canada, and that 
colony was left in its hour of supreme danger to battle for its own ex- 



366 FORT NIAGARA INVESTED BY THE ENGLISH. 

istence, and for the honor of France. Wolfe, with an army of eleven 
thousand men, was to be conveyed by Admiral Saunders' fleet up the 
St. Lawrence, where he was to reduce Quebec. Amherst, who was 
made Governor of Virginia, and commander-in-chief of the English 
armies in America, was to sweep through Lake Champlain, and oc- 
cupy Montreal, while an army under Prideau.x was to capture Fort 
Niagara, now almost isolated. 

To save, if possible, this last post, Montcalm sent, in April, Captain 
Pouchot, a skillful engineer, with three hundred regulars and Cana- 
dians, all he could spare. It was not in hopes of holding Niagara, but 
solely to divert the English forces from Canada. Pouchot at once 
strengthened his fortifications, and tried to gain the Senecas, who 
knew him well. He also called on Lignery, at the Ohio, and Aubry, 
in Illinois, for aid. 

Meanwhile General Prideaux, with two battalions from New York, 
a battalion of Royal Americans, two English regiments, and artillery, 
with a large Indian force under Sir William Johnson, advanced to re- 
duce the fort, of which the ruins are still visible on the flat, narrow 
promontory jutting out into the rapid Niagara. They embarked on 
Lake Ontario, at Oswego, and soon landed near the fort, which was 
at once invested in form. Pouchot was summoned to surrender, but 
returned a decided refusal. Then the sieee besfan, Poucliot returninor 
Prideaux's fire with effect ; shortly after the English general was killed 
by the bursting of one of his own mortars, and the command devolved 
on Johnson, who followed up his plans with skill and judgment. Pou- 
chot's only hope was in the forces that d'Aubry and Lignery might 
collect. At last an Indian brought in letters announcing their ap- 
proach. De Lignery had gathered the French on the Ohio, with all 



FLAG OF FRANCE DRIVEN FROM NEW YORK. 367 

friendly Indians ; d'Aubry came at the head of Illinois settlers and 
Indians, amountinsf in all to about twelve hundred men. 

Johnson prepared to receive them, and check any sally from the 
fort. He threw his light infantry, supported by grenadiers and 
troops of the line, between the fort and the falls, with his Indians on 
the flanks, and in ambush. 

Aubry and Lignery charged impetuously, but failed to move the 
British line, while the English Indians galled their flanks so, that when 
the English advanced, they were thrown into disorder and broken. 
An utter rout ensued, de Lignery, Aubry, with many officers, were 
wounded and taken, others were cut down in the pursuit, the Indians 
and English slaughtering without mercy. Among the rest, the Rev. 
Mr. Virot, the French chaplain, was taken and hewed to pieces. 

Pouchot, from his fort, saw what seemed, a mere skirmish ; when 
he learned the full extent of the disaster, and the retreat, towards 
Detroit, of the survivors, he looked at the ruined walls of his fort, 
and capitulated with his brave handful of men, which had held in 
check the well-appointed force of Johnson. 

De Levi then took post at Ogdensburg, to prevent Prideaux de- 
scendinof at once on Montreal. Amherst sent Gage to drive him 
from that position, but Gage, like Amherst, loitered, and Montreal, 
menaced by two armies,, and almost defenseless, still remained in the 
hands of the French. Conscious of their inability to resist the Brit- 
ish artillery and army, the French troops under Bourlamaque aban- 
doned their lines at Fort Carillon, Ticonderoga, and retreated, 
leaving only a small garrison in the place. A few days later, these 
and the garrison of Fort Frederic fell back to Isle aux Noix, and the 
flaof of France ceaserl to float ovf-r the sf)il of New York. 



368 ENGLISH BOMBARDMENT OF QUEBEC. 

Amherst might then have occupied Montreal, and co-operated with 
Wolfe before Quebec, but he merely sent a detachment to destroy 
the Abenaki town of St. Francis, and then prepared to go into win- 
ter quarters. 

Wolfe's army had meanwhile, in June, been borne within sight of 
Quebec, by Saunders' fleet of forty-four men-of-war, frigates, and 
armed vessels. On the 26th of June, the whole armament arrived 
off Isle Orleans, on which they disembarked the next day. 

Wolfe could now, on the spot, see the magnitude of the task assigned 
to him. Louisburg was fortified by science, but there, nature aided 
science to make the place nearly impregnable. Every point for miles 
above and below the city, was fortified and defended, and Montcalm 
directing, animating all, was no unworthy antagonist. 

The English fleet lay anchored in the river, controlling it. The 
French first attempted to destroj' or cripple the fleet, by sending down 
fireships, but these were grappled by the sailors and towed away from 
the shipping. 

The English army Is.}' encamped across Isle Orleans, and soon 
occupied Point Levi, planting batteries of mortars and heavy artillery 
to bombard the city at the narrowest part of the river. Red-hot balls 
and shells poured into the ill-fated city. The night was lighted up 
by the glare of these rocket-like engines of destruction, as they curved 
over the river, and fell into Quebec. Flames shot up in all directions, 
lighting up the scene far and near. Fifty houses were set on fire in a 
single night, the lower town was demolished, the upper town greatly 
injured. 

This was kept up for a month, but no impression was made, and 
the French seemed to have no idea of surrender. 



WOLFE EXAMINES THE SHORE INCH BY INCH. 369 

Wolfe resolved to force Montcalm to an action. He tried the line 
of the Montmorency, but could not discover a place through which 
he could force his way. Then he explored above the city, but in 
vain. Almost desperate, he selected a landing-place at Montmorency. 
The grenadiers and Royal Americans landed, and without waiting 
for support, ran hastily towards the French entrenchments, from 
which they were hurled back in disorder. Other troops came up, 
but Wolfe saw it would be useless to sacrifice his men in a vain at- 
tempt. He re-embarked, having lost four hundred men. 

Murray, sent above Quebec, dispersed some invalids and women 
at Deschambault, and heard of the fall of Niagara, and of the French 
retreat from Ticonderoga and Crown Point. Wolfe looked now for 
Amherst, but no messenorer even came from that g-eneral. 

Wolfe then laid before his three brigadiers three plans for attack- 
ing Montcalm. All were rejected, and it was determined to convey 
four or five thousand men above the town, and draw Montcalm from 
his impregnable position to an open action, Wolfe, himself, began to 
examine the shore almost inch by inch. He himself discovered the 
cove which now bears his name. He saw the narrow path winding 
up, and the petty force that held its termination on the summit. 
Here he resolved to land his troops by surprise. 

Montcalm, believing the worst danger past, had sent de Levi with 
a detachment to Montreal. Bougainville was watching the English 
along the shore. 

Admiral Holmes was at once sent with some ships to hold Bougain- 
ville. Saunders set the active James Cook, soon, like Bougainville to 
be known by his voyage around the world, to sound near Beaupre as if 
foralanding. Then Wolfe, on the 13th of September, with Monckton 



j/^ 



ON THi; PLAINS OP^ ABRAHAM. 



and Murray, and about half the force, set oH in boats, and glided 
down. They soon reached the cove, hidden by the over-hanging rock, 
and were taken for a French party expected with provisions. Wolfe 
and the troops leaped ashore ; the light infantry and Highlanders 
clambered up the steep hill-side, aided by the stunted trees and shrubs, 
and after a brief skirmish, dispersed the picket and guard under de 
Verofor at the summit. The heisfhts ^rained, the rest followed, and at 
daybreak, Wolfe, with a small army of veterans, and four cannon from 
an abandoned battery, was drawn up on the Plains of Abraham, so 
called from Abraham Martin, one of the earliest settlers of Quebec. 
Montcalm believed it only a small party. When the truth was made 
clear, he saw that the decisive moment was come. " They have at last 
got to the weak side of this wretched garrison," he cried ; " we must 
crush them before noon." 

Heat once ordered the Guyenne regiment to the heights to watch 
the enemy and leaving only fourteen hundred at Beauport, in the in- 
trenched camp, moved with the rest. He sent ofY to call in Bougain- 
ville, but the messengers lost precious time. De Levi too was sum- 
moned, though too far distant to arrive in time. 

The French troops had more than three miles to march, a hill-side to 
climb, and heavy grain-fields to cross. They came almost at a run, 
and reached the battle-field exhausted, while W'olfe's men had enjoyed 
four hours' rest. 

The two armies were about equal in numbers, but Wolfe's was com- 
posed of well-disciplined regulars, while half of Montcalm's were mili- 
tia and Indians. 

Separated bya little rising ground, the two forces cannonaded each 
other for about an hour, while the skirmishers kept up a fire of musketry. 



BOTH GENERALS MORTALLY WOUNDED. 37I 

Montcalm's army, with the regulars and artillery as the centre, had 
its right, of the Quebec and Montreal militia, resting on the Sainte 
Foye road, the left, composed of Montreal and Three River nilitia, 
stretching to the hill overlooking the river. Wolfe was drawn up be- 
fore a series of knolls which shielded him from the euns of Quebec. 
Monckton was on his right, at the Samos wood, and Townshend on 
his left. 

Montcalm led the army impetuously to the attack ; the English, by 
Wolfe's orders, held their fire till the French were within forty yards, 
then poured in a steady, well-directed fire. It was fearfully destruc- 
tive. Montcalm's two brigadiers, de Sennezergues and Fontbrune, 
were killed, and the whole French thrown into confusion. Wolfe, who 
had been cheering on his men, in spite of two slight wounds, now led 
a charge at the head of his grenadiers upon the French left. It gave 
way, and only a part, covered by trees, kept up the fight, galling the 
English flank. In the midst of this success, a third ball struck Wolfe 
in the breast, inflicting a mortal wound. " Support me," he cried, to 
an ofificer near him ; " let not my brave fellows see me drop." He 
was carried to the rear, and an officer supported him, as they raised 
him to take a drink. " They run, they run," said the officer, looking 
over the field. " Who run ? " asked the dvinof hero. '' The French," 
replied the officer, " are giving way everywhere." " Now, God be 
praised, I die happy ! " said Wolfe, as he expired. 

Montcalm did all that he could to rally his men, and retrieve the 
day. While covering the retreat of his force, he too was mortally 
wounded near the St. John's gate. Two grenadiers ran to his support, 
and by their aid he entered the city, replying with his usual courteous 
grace to the expressions of commiseration from some ladies. A sur- 



372 GENERAL AMHERST REMAINS INACTIVE. 

geon pronounced his wound fatal. He gave the last directions, and 
said : " I leave the affairs of the King, my dear master, in good 
hands. I have always entertained great esteem for the talents and 
ability of General de Levi." With his dying hand he wrote to 
Townshend, commending the prisoners, both French and Canadians, 
to his humanity. Then he gave himself entirely to preparation for 
a Christian death. 

Bougainville arrived in time to see the rout of the French army. 
Townshend feared to engage him, and he himself, not venturing to 
renew the battle, drew off. 

The defeat of Montcalm left Quebec at the mercy of the English. 
Vaudreuil, Governor of Canada, wrote to de Ramsay, who was in 
command at Quebec, not to wait for an assault, but to raise the 
white flag as soon as his supplies were exhausted. 

There were, indeed, only a few days' provisions in the place, so that 
Ramsay, seeing no hope of relief, capitulated on the i8th September. 

The campaign of Wolfe and Saunders on the St. Lawrence had thus 
been brilliant and successful, and we can only regret that Wolfe tar- 
nished his name by fearful cruelties on the Canadian villagers, many 
of whom were butchered in cold blood, amid their blazins: homes. 

Amherst lay inactive, and in the spring moved his army of ten 
thousand men to Osweo^o, although the French had abandoned all 
their works between Lake Champlain and Montreal, and, as we shall 
see further on, it was not till nearly a year after Wolfe's glorious 
victory and death that Amherst entered Montreal. 

The American colonies had been induced to look upon some infringe- 
ments on their liberties as military necessities growing out of the war 
with Canada, and like many nations in history, they were deluded by 




•WASHTN-GTON TAKING COMMAND OF THE ABMY. iFage 4ai. Shea's History.) 



THE INDIANS IN CAROLINA EXCITED. 373 

this ; but they awoke in time. They already began to fear that their 
freedom was menaced. In its exultation, the English Government 
threw off the mask, and by resorting to odious and illegal Writs of 
Assistance to enforce the British Acts of Trade, drew on itself the 
hostility of almost all the colonists. 



CHAPTER VII. 

Reign of George III.-The Cherokee War-The Treaty of Peace with France-Florida taken 
?Exchange'for Havana-Pontiac's Conspiracy-England Resolved to Tax A™enca-S mp 
Act Riotsin America-Battle of Golden Hill-Boston Massacre-The Tax on T ^-Restst- 
ance of America-The Boston Tea Party-North Carolina Regulators-New Indian War. 

While his American affairs were in this position, George II. sud- 
denly died of apoplexy, and on the 25th of October, 1760, his grand- 
son, George III., ascended ' the throne, inheriting in Europe the 
kingdom oi England and the Electorate of Hanover, and possessing 
half^the northern continent of America, in itself a realm whose govern- 
ment required the utmost justice and wisdom. While the northern 
colonies were engaging the French, Carolina was involved in an Indian 
war, by the mere wantonness of an English Governor, self-sufficient and 
ignorant like most of his class. The Cherokee had ever been friends 
of the English, as the neighboring colonies had often recognized. In 
the wars,"their braves had served faithfully, but no notice was taken 
of them, and although they had left their fields untilled to serve in the 
army, no provision was made for their wives and children, or for them- 
selves on returning to their untilled fields. Half starving, these braves, 
on their way home, here and there, took the food they needed to 
reach their villages. The colonists pursued them and killed several. 
A spirit of revenge was excjted. Two soldiers were killed at Telli- 



374 LYTTLETON BENT ON AN INDIAN WAR. 

quo, in revenge. This was the act of a few. The nation disavowed 
them, and sought to renew the former alliance and friendship. 

But Governor Lyttleton demanded the murderers ; and when they 
hesitated, stopped all ammunition and goods on their way to the 
Indian towns. All was excitement in the Cherokee towns, and they 
saw no way to peace except by taking up arms. He called on the 
neighboring colonies and friendly tribes for aid. 

Oconostata, the great warrior of the Cherokees, came to Charles- 
tCHi. Lyttleton repulsed him rudely. " I love the white people," 
said the chief; "they and the Indians shall not hurt one another; I 
reckon myself as one with you." 

But Lyttleton was bent on an Indian war: " I am now going with 
a great many of my warriors to your nation," was his fierce reply, 
"in order to demand satisfaction of them. If you will not give it 
when I come to your nation, I shall take it." 

He set out from Charleston with the Indian envoys under guard, 
and, by his display of force, compelled the Cherokees to sign a treaty 
of peace in December, retaining hostages for its fulfillment. 

His exultation at this was unbounded, but he little knew the Indian 
character. They were brooding over the matter, with hearts full of 
fury. Oconostata resolved to rescue the hostages, and the very 
treaty was a declaration of war. The commandant at Fort Prince 
George was lured out into an ambuscade and shot. It was the 
death-knell of the hostages, who were all butchered. As this be- 
came known, the mountains echoed with the war-song, and, obtain- 
ing ammunition from Louisiana, the Cherokees burst like a destroying 
hurricane along the frontier. The Muskogees, or Creeks, seemed 
ready to join them, and Carolina was in imminent peril. 



THE CHEROKEE COUNTRY INVADED. 375 

Amherst was called upon for aid. He ordered Montgomery and 
Grant from the Ohio, with Highlanders and Royal Americans. At 
Ninety-six these regulars joined a body of Carolina rangers. They 
moved rapidly into the Cherokee country, and, using Indian tactics 
against the red men, came by surprise on the village of Little Keo 
wee. Though the barking of a dog gave an alarm, it was too late. 
The English burst in upon them, slaughtering nearly all, sparing only 
some women and children. The other towns in the beautiful Keo- 
wee valley were then abandoned by the Cherokees, and given to the 
flames by the army. These villages were all beautifully situated ; 
with neat houses, and well-filled storehouses of Indian corn. The 
Cherokees, taken utterly by surprise, and never dreaming of so 
prompt an invasion, had made no preparations. All was destroyed, 
and the articles left in the houses, money and watches, wampum and 
skins, enriched the soldiery. 

Montgomery sent to offer peace before treating the other towns in 
like manner. But the haughty chief made no reply. Then Mont- 
gomery crossed the Alleghany. No enemy was seen till he reached 
the Little Tennessee. One day, towards the end of June, i 760, as he 
was pushing along the muddy bank of ihc river, through a broken 
valley covered with dense undergrowth, the Cherokees suddenly 
sprang from the bushes, and a withering volley staggered the line. 
The officer leading the advance, the gallant Morrison fell, but there 
was no flight, no disorder ; the Highlanders and provincials drove the 
enemy from their coverts, and chasing them from height to hollow, 
made the wilderness ring with their cheers and shouts. But the vic- 
tory cost Montgomery twenty killed and seventy-six wounded. 

He was now sadly perplexed. To go on with his wounded was diffi- 



Tij6 ATTAKULLAKULLA, THE FRIENDLY CHIEF. 

cult indeed ; and this he must do to relieve Fort Loudoun. So, deceiv- 
ing the Cherokees by kindling fires, he fell back, and on the ist of 
July reached Fort Prince George. 

Fort Loudoun was left to its fate. It surrendered to Oconostata on 
the 8th of August, and the garrison, two hundred men, were sent to- 
wards Carolina. At Telliquo, the fugitives were surrounded ; Demere, 
the commander, and twenty-six officers and men, were killed for the 
murdered hostages. The rest were taken back and divided amonof 
the tribes. Attakullakulla, the head chief of the Cherokees, who pos- 
sessed little real authority, was friendly to the whites. He resolved 
to rescue Stuart, an old friend of his who was now a prisoner. To 
save him from being compelled to fight against his countrymen, Atta- 
kullakulla, or Little Carpenter, as the Carolinians called him, took 
him off, pretending that he required his aid in hunting. Once in the 
woods, the chief struck for Virginia, and for nine days and nights trav- 
elled on through the wilderness as only an Indian could travel, till at 
last they encountered a Virginia detachment. 

Montgomery's campaign had but made the Cherokees resolute and 
vindictive. Yet he resolved to depart, and, in spite of all the entreaty 
of the people, sailed for New York with part of his force. 

It required another tedious expedition under Grant, in i 761, to close 
the war. Another battle was fought on the banks of the Little Ten- 
nessee, in which the Cherokees were again defeated. Then the new 
Cherokee towns and settlements were wasted, and four thousand na- 
tives left homeless. Their spirit was broken. They sought peace. 

While this war, provoked by a haughty and ignorant English Gover- 
nor, was desolating Carolina, England nearly lost Canada. Amherst 
loitered with his army on the way to Montreal. Murray lay in Que- 



ALL CANADA SURRENDERED TO THE ENGLISH. 3/7 

bee. Bougainville had come up too late to save Montcalm's army on 
the Heights of Abraham ; but his forces joined de Levi. That able 
general attempted to surprise the city in midwinter, but finding it im- 
practicable, laid siege to Quebec, in the early spring, with an army of 
ten thousand men. On the 28th of April, Murray marched out of the 
city, and attacked the French line at Sillery wood. The French, under 
Bourlamaque, met the onset, and charged in turn so furiously that 
Murray, fearing to be completely surrounded, fled in disorder to the 
city, leaving a thousand men on the field, and his fine train of artillery. 
De Levi, who had lost only three hundred men, pushed on, and opened 
trenches against the town. The English garrison, now sadly cut down, 
labored earnestly to hold out till aid came. De Levi pushed on to 
•capture Quebec before vessels could reach it. All eyes were turned 
towards the river in fear and hope. At last vessels were seen, men- 
of-war were approaching. Every eye was strained to see the first flag. 
To Murray, the white flag would be a signal of ruin ; to de Levi, one 
of triumph. It was the English fleet. The last hope of France was 
gone. De Levi, baffled, abandoned his now useless guns. 

On the /th of September, Amherst met Murray before Montreal. 
Vaudreuil, the last French Governor, had long expected the day. He 
■capitulated, and surrendered to England all Canada, and the North- 
west. 

On the 8th of September, 1760, the French rule ended. 

The war in the northern part of the continent closed. The British 
flag floated undisputed from Hudson Bay almost to the Gulf of Mexico, 
and from the shores of Lakes Superior and Michigan to the Atlantic. 
But, in Europe, the war was raging more fiercely than ever ; almost all 
the Continental powers being arrayed against England and Prussia, 



378 HAVANA TAKEN BY THE ENGLISH. 

To carry on the war with Spain, George III., who had now ascended 
the throne, succeeding his grandfather, George II., in October, 1760, 
called on his American subjects to aid in reducing Havana. On tjie 
30th of July, 1762, after a siege of twenty-nine days, in which the 
brave Spanish commander, Don Luis de Velasco, was mortally 
wounded, Moro castle was taken by storm, by a combined force of 
English regulars, West India negroes, and sturdy militia from New 
England and New York, Putnam among them, with others who had 
last fought in the chilly borders of Canada. Many of our brave 
soldiers perished before Havana, in this fatal midsummer campaign in 
the tropics, and left their bones to decay on that Cuban shore. Ha- 
vana, and all its wealth, with the castle, fell into the hands of the British. 

When, at last, in November, peace was restored, England gave up 
this conquest for Florida. She also received a cession of all Louisi- 
ana, to the Mississippi, except the island of New Orleans ; all Can- 
ada, Acadia, Cape Breton, all the French possessions, except the two 
little islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, that you can scarcely 
find on your map. At the same time, France ceded Louisiana to 
Spain, and the lilied flag ceased to float on the continent of North 
America, where, but a few years before, her maps showed almost the 
whole continent as French. 

The treaty was definitively signed at Paris, February loth, 1763. 

England had taken possession of all that France claimed as Can- 
ada. In September, 1760, Amherst had despatched Rogers, whose 
rangers had done such signal service against the French, to take 
possession of Detroit, the key to the West, as well as of Michili- 
mackinac and other posts. 

Where Cleveland now stands, he was confronted by Pontiac, the 



PONTIAC, THE OTTAWA CHIEF. 379 

chieftain of the French Indians, who haughtily demanded his busi- 
ness in that country, without his permission. 

Rogers explained to him that the flag of France had fallen, and 
that he went to take possession of the French posts, to live in peace 
with all the tribes. After some deliberation, he consented to their 
progress, and even saved them from an ambuscade of Detroit Indians. 
Rogers, sending on Vaudreuil's instructions to the French commander, 
landed with his rangers opposite Detroit, and encamped. An ofificer 
was sent over, the French garrison filed out, and laid down their 
arms : the militia were then disarmed, the French flag was lowered, 
amid the yells of the Indians. Forts Miami and Ouiatenon, with 
Michilimackinac, were soon after occupied. 

In all the West, one French fort alone was left, that of Fort Char- 
tres in Illinois. 

The western tribes found that a new rule had beeun. 

They did not like it. 

From the banks of the Niagara to the shores of Lake Superior, 
from Lake Erie to the Gulf of Mexico, there was a fast growing 
hate of the English and their colonists. Could France have called 
out this spirit a few years before she might have saved Canada. 

The discontent that pervaded all the tribes, prepared them for any 
plot. All that was required was a leader, and this soon appeared in 
Pontlac, Chief of the Ottawas, said by some to have been himself a 
Catawba. Nature had made him a leader of men ; he was already 
revered by all the Indian tribes of the northwest as a hero, a man of 
prowess in war, of wisdom in council, a man of integrity and human- 
ity, as they regarded It. 

He soon formed a vast conspiracy among the tribes, for a simultane- 



380 INDIAN HOSTILITIES BEGIN. 

ous attack on the English posts. He himself was to surprise De- 
troit. His preparations were crafty indeed. Announcing to Glad- 
win, the commander, that he would in a few days pay him a visit 
with some of his braves, he, in the Indian villages around the fort, 
prepared his men for the work of slaughter. Securing saws and 
files, they cut off the barrels of their guns so that they could hide 
them under their blankets. And with these, and knives and toma- 
hawks, sharpened to their keenest edge, the chieftain, with about 
three hundred of his braves, stalked into the fort on the 7th of May. 
Pontiac bore a wampum belt, white on one side, green on the other; 
when he turned this his men were to begin the work. 

But Gladwin had been warned the day before by an Ojibwa girl, 
and was ready for the emergency. Pontiac rose, holding the fatal 
belt, and began to address Gladwin, professing strong attachment to 
the English, and desiring to smoke the pipe of peace. As he raised 
the belt, Gladwin made a slight motion with his head, a sudden 
clang of arms rang from the hall without, and the long roll of the 
drum drowned the voice of the chief. Pontiac hesitated, and closing 
his address, sat down, baffled and perplexed. 

Gladwin answered in a few words. He wished the friendship of 
all the tribes, but if they preferred war, stern vengeance should fol- 
low the first hostile act. Unwisely, perhaps, he allowed the braves 
to depart, for the next morning hostilities began. An English party 
sounding on Lake Huron, were seized and murdered. 

On the loth, Pontiac summoned Gladwin to surrender, and, on his 
refusal, massacred an old English woman and a sergeant, the only 
persons of English race who lived outside the fort. Two English 
officers were also surprised and murdered on Lake St. Clair. 



THE CHRISTIAN HURONS JOIN PONTIAC. jOl 

For six hours, the besieging Indians, skuli-:ing behind bushes, 
houses, knolls, or flying rapidly past, poured their deadly shots into 
the embrasures of the fort, carrying balls in their mouths so as to lose 
no time in loading. They finally drew off, to begin preparations for 
a regular siege, and so deceived Gladwin, that he sent out two of- 
ficers to treat with them. All the Indians in that part had joined 
Pontiac except the Christian Hurons, whom the missionary Potier 
long restrained, but even he, at last, failed to control them, and they 
were forced to join the forces of Pontiac. 

On the 1 6th of May, a party of Indians appeared at the gate of 
Fort Sandusky. Ensign Paulli, the commander, admitted seven as 
old acquaintances and friends, and all sat down to smoke. Suddenly 
a signal was given, and Paulli was seized, bound, and carried out. 
Every soldier and trader in the post was already murdered. 

The old Jesuit mission on the St. Joseph's had become a British 
post, under command of Ensign Schlosser. On the 25th, a party of 
Pottawatamies appeared in friendly guise, and were admitted. In 
less than two minutes Schlosser was seized, and all his men but three 
butchered and scalped. 

On the 13th of May, Lieutenant Cuyler had left Fort Niagara, and 
embarked from Fort Schlosser, just above the Falls, with ninety-six 
men, ammunition, and provisions for Detroit. Meeting no enemy, he 
landed carelessly at Point Pelee, near the mouth of Detroit river, and 
was preparing to encamp, when he was suddenly attacked by a body 
of Hurons or Wyandots. Cuyler formed his men around the boats, and 
a vigorous fire of musketry was kept up, but the Indians made a furi- 
ous charge, and the English troops were thrown into confusion and fled 
to their boats. Two boats, with thirty or forty men, escaped, the rest 



o 



82 THE TERRIBLE GAME OF LA CROSSE. 



were taken in triumph past Detroit, where the disappointed garrison 
saw this sad result with heavy hearts. The prisoners in one boat, 
when nearing an English vessel off the fort, rose on their guards, and 
amid the fierce volleys of the Indians, who pursued them, managed to 
reach the vessel ; all the rest were tortured and butchered. 

At Fort Miami, near the present Fort Wayne, the commander was 
enticed out to visit a pretended sick woman. He was at once shot 
down, and his men were soon surprised and murdered. 

At Fort Wea, in Indiana, they were captured in a similar way, but 
there were kind-hearted French settlers near who purchased their 
lives. 

Thus, fort after fort, so recently garrisoned by English soldiers, dis- 
appeared utterly. Officers and men were alike English ; had colonial 
troops been employed, they would have been better fitted to deal 
with the savao^es. 

Strange was the fall of Fort Michilimackinac. The story is that of 
a terrible game of La Crosse. 

On the 2d of June, the Ojibwas living near assembled near the fort 
to play this game now so popular in Canada and England. They in- 
vited Major Etheridge and his garrison to witness it. All was calm 
and peaceful. The gate of the stockade was open ; the officers, and 
some of the little garrison, looked on from the top of the palisades. 

As the game went on, the ball was driven nearer and nearer, and 
there were often shouts of applause at a good hit. Suddenly, after a 
close struggle, the ball came spinning- from the midst of the players to- 
wards the entrance to the fort. On rushed the players, and passing 
their squaws, caught from under the women's blankets knives and tom- 
ahawks, then rushed with yells of fury into the fort. Etheridge and 



DETROIT ALONE LEFT TO THE ENGLISH. 383 

Leslie were seized, while every Englishman in or out of the fort, was 
butchered without mercy. Only one man escaped, Alexander Henry, 
a trader, who was hid away by a Pawnee woman, a slave to one of the 
French residing there. But he was finally discovered, and had long 
to suffer the cruelties and privations of an Indian captive. 

At Fort Presqu'ile, where Erie now stands, the brave Ensign Chris- 
tie made a gallant fight for two days, but finally surrendered. He 
and his men were taken as prisoners to Detroit. 

The garrison at Fort Le Boeuf was attacked, but escaped by night ; 
that at Fort Venango fell, no man knows how, for none was ever 
seen alive to tell its stor)'. 

Fort Pitt and Fort Ligonier were menaced, and finally attacked ; 
the out-lying settlements were in flames ; five hundred families from 
the frontiers of Maryland and Virginia fled to Winchester. 

Thus Detroit was left alone in the West. Asrain Amherst tried to 
relieve it, and finally threw sixty men into it, In June. Late in July, 
Dalyell arrived with two hundred and sixty men, entering under cover 
of night. Full of confidence, this young officer wished at once to 
make a midnight sally on the savage foe. Gladwin, who had seen 
enough Indian fighting to know what it was, opposed this, but at last 
yielded. Before three in the morning, Dalyell sallied out with nearly 
two hundred and fifty picked men, keeping along shore, and pro- 
tected by two boats. After a short march, they came to an Indian 
intrenchment, from which poured out such a deadly volley that the 
whole body was thrown into confusion. Twenty of the English were 
killed, and twice as many lay wounded on the battle-field of Bloody Run. 
Rash, but brave, Dalyell fell while trying to bring off his wounded, 
and his gay uniform and scalp decked the dusky forms of savages. 



384 DISASTER AT DEVILS HOLE. 

This triumph filled the Indians with exultation. No tribe now hesi- 
tated. All gathered around Pontiac, who held Detroit besieged by a 
thousand men. 

The English military authorities were roused to something like en- 
ergy. Bouquet, a Swiss officer of merit, was sent with a considerably 
force to relieve Fort Pitt, and reinforce Detroit. As he approached 
Fort Pitt, he was suddenly attacked by the Indians who had been in- 
vesting that fort. Bouquet and his officers were fit for their task, and 
the soldiers, chiefly Highlanders, were cool and experienced. All day 
long, on the 5th of August, they fought the savage foe, and at night 
they lay on their arms at Edge Hill. The morning showed the Indians 
in force on every side. Bouquet saw but one course ; an Indian one. 
Posting two companies in ambush, he pretended to retreat in disorder. 
With wild yells, the Indians rushed on in pursuit in wild confusion, 
when suddenly, from the right, and left, and front, came the rattle of 
the deadly musketry. The Indians, crowded together, were shot 
down in numbers, then, panic-struck, fled, routed and defeated. 

Bouquet had won the day, but his killed and wounded were one- 
fourth of his force, his horses were almost all killed, and it was with 
great difficulty that in four days he reached Fort Pitt. 

But the joy which filled all hearts at Bouquet's success, was damped 
by an unexpected disaster at Devil's Hole, near Niagara. 

At that spot, the road winds near a fearful precipice. On the 13th 
of September, a numerous train of wagons and pack-horses proceeded 
from the lower landing to Fort Schlosser, and the next morninof re- 
turned. As they reached this dangerous spot, they were suddenly 
greeted by the blaze and rattle of a hundred rifles, and before the 
smoke lifted, the Indians dashed out with tomahawk and scalping-knife. 



WYANDOTS AND OTHERS MAKE PEACE. 385 

Horses and men, in wild panic, went over into the boiling current ; many 
were murdered and scalped in the road. I n less time than it takes to re- 
cord it all was over. Stedman, who commanded the party, cut his way 
through and escaped. A drummer-boy who went over the precipice 
was caught by his drum-strap in the branch of a tree, and succeeding 
at last in quietly getting a foothold, hid away in a hollow of the rock 
till all was still. At the firing, some soldiers from a little camp rushed 
out to save the train. They were ambuscaded and cut to pieces ; a 
few only reached Fort Niagara. The Indians who thus opened the 
war in New York were the Senecas, one of the Six Nations, whom 
Sir William Johnson was supposed to control so completely. 

A reinforcement for Detroit, under Major Wilkins, miscarried, and 
everything seemed desperate. The first effective measures towards 
a general pacification proceeded from the French in Illinois. De 
Noyon, a French officer, still in command at Fort Chartres, sent belts, 
and messages, and calumets of peace to all the tribes, declaring to 
them that the King of France had given up all his territories to the 
King of England, and urging all the tribes to bury the hatchet, and 
take the English by the hand. 

On this, the Wyandots and some other tribes made peace, and 
abandoned the siecje of Detroit. Then Bradstreet arrived with a con- 
siderable force, large enough indeed, to have overawed all, but he 
acted feebly, and the Indians in bands still ravaged the frontiers, 
burning and slaughtering. A party of rangers came on a school- 
house in the woods. All was suspiciously still within. They entered. 
There lay the teacher dead on the floor, with his Bible in his hand, 
and his nine pupils scattered around him, all scalped, and all dead 
but one, who was carefully tended and recovered. 



o 



86 FRENCH DOMINION IN AMERICA ENDS. 



But if Bradstreet acted feebly, Bouquet did not. By rapid move- 
ments, by stern and unwavering decision, whicli no Indian wiles could 
move, he compelled them to stop hostilities, and give up all their prison- 
ers. The return of the prisoners led to many touching scenes. Mem- 
bers of families long mourned as dead, were again clasped in loving 
arms. An old woman had lost her daughter nine years before. In the 
crowd of female captives, given up by the Indians, she discovered one 
in whose swarthy and painted face she thought she could still trace the 
likeness of her lost darlinsf. She addressed her in all the endearins: 
words a mother can employ, but the girl, who had forgotten almost 
every word of English, gave no sign of recognition. The poor old 
mother complained bitterly, that the child whom she so often fondled 
on her knee had forgotten her in her old age. Colonel Bouquet 
watched the scene, touched with \n\.y. A thought struck him as she 
uttered these words. " .Sing her," he exclaimed, " the song you used 
to sing to her when a child." The woman obeyed. Almost instantly 
a bright look came into the girl's face, she hesitated as if trying to re- 
call something long past, then sprang into her mother's arms. The 
chord had been touched. 

Pontiac retired from Detroit, and after vain endeavors to rouse 
other tribes to join him, calmly awaited proposals of peace. Croghan 
soon appeared ; the various tribes submitted to the English power ; 
and at last, British troops were enabled to reach Fort Chartres, where 
the last French flag floated till late in the year 1765. It may seem 
strange to our readers, but the English officers, finding it impossible 
to reach it through the hostile tribes in the West, had twice attempted 
to go in boats up the Mississippi, and twice been driven back by a 
few Indians. 



ENGLISH REGULARS MAN WESTERN FORTS. 387 

Pontiac was soon after killed at Cahokia, by an Illinois Indian, 
whom an Englishman had hired to assassinate the great chieftain of 
the West. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

State of the Colonies after the Conquest of Canada — England's Exertions in America — Jeal- 
ousy of the Colonies — She Resolves to Tax them, and Maintain a large Army among them — 
The Stamp Act Proposed-^American Opposition — Its final Passage. 

The conquest of Canada and Nova Scotia, Cape Breton and New- 
foundland, and the cession of Florida, and all Louisiana east of the 
Mississippi, gave England a vast territory in America, with none to 
dispute it. Canada had a hardy, industrious population, adapted to 
its severe climate ; Florida, however, became almost a desert, as the 
Spaniards retired to Cuba. The colonies, during the war, had not, 
indeed, borne the main brunt, as in former wars, but, by their aid, 
had contributed to all the great operations, and there was not a 
colony which had not given the wealth and blood of her people for 
the triumph of England. But the colonies were not to share in the 
fruits of the victory. No part of the conquered territory was to 
benefit them. England garrisoned it with her own troops, and, as 
we have seen, stationed regulars in the Western forts. 

The old colonies were perhaps unwise in not offering to do this ; it 
would have strengthened their power wonderfully, and removed one 
pretext for England's maintaining an army in America. But England, 
already jealous of the growing power of America, resolved to keep an 
army of ten thousand men there. To support tliese, and pay some of 
tlie cost of the last war, required money, and it was found that the 



388 COLONIES INDIGNANT AT TAXATION. 

colonies did not readily raise money for others to spend, so it was de- 
termined to tax America by Act of Parliament. Many wise men op- 
posed it, as one old principle of English liberty was, that there should 
be no taxation without representation ; so that for an English Parlia- 
ment, where the colonies were not represented, to tax the colonies, was 
against all right. But the ministry held to the plans. They discussed 
one plan and another. Of all, one only seemed easily managed, and 
that was a Stamp Tax. In our times, we have seen the Government 
of the United States resort to this means of raising money ; every 
check, every receipt, every deed or mortgage, every contract, wills, 
and many law documents were of no value, unless a stamp was at- 
tached. In our times the stamp is printed separately, and fastened 
to the paper by gum. In the olden time, the royal stamp was im- 
pressed upon the paper or parchment, really stamped on it. Paper 
thus stamped had to be bought of Government officers for the various 
uses, as a higher or lower stamp was required. 

The colonies were indignant at this measure, and at the severity 
with which the English Government was enforcing the navio^ation laws, 
seizing their shipping on various pretexts for trading contrary to 
English laws. They had suffered severely during the war, and had 
spent their substance lavishly. For several years together, they had 
raised more men, in proportion, for service than England had ; in the 
trading towns, one-fourth of the profits of their commerce was annually 
paid for the support of the war, and in the country the taxes were half 
the rent of the farms. As for maintaining an army there was no 
necessity. The Spaniards west of the Mississippi were their nearest 
neighbors. For a century, they had held their own alone, against 
French and Indians, and could now easily manaoe the Indians. 



barre's speech in parliament. 389 

Their representations, however, were unheard, though the eloquent 
book of James Otis, "The Rights of the British Colonies Asserted," 
set some of the most sensible men thinking. New York and Massa- 
chusetts sent over strong remonstrances, but really, people knew little, 
and cared less, about America. 

At last the matter came up in Parliament. Charles Townshend, the 
leader of the party for taxing America, dwelt on all England had done 
for America. "And now," he concluded, "will these American chil- 
dren, planted by our care, nourished up by our indulgence to a degree 
of strength and opulence, and protected by our army, grudge to con- 
tribute their mite to relieve us from the heavy burthen under which we 
lie?" 

There was in that House one who had fought under "Wolfe, who knew 
America and the Americans. Such an argument roused him to indigo 
nant eloquence. As Townshend sat down, Barre rose, and with eyes 
darting fire, and out-stretched arms, exclaimed : " Tlierj planted hy youb 
care! No ; your oppression planted them in America. They fled from 
your tyranny to a then uncultivated, inhospitable country, where they 
exposed themselves to almost all the hardships to which human nature 
is liable, and, among others, to the cruelties of a savage foe, the most 
subtle, and I will take upon me to say, the most formidable of any peo- 
ple upon the face of God's earth ; and yet, actuated by principles of 
true English liberty, they met all hardships with pleasure, compared 
with those they sufiFered in their own country, from the hands of those 
who should have been their friends. They nourished up by your indtil- 
genoe / They grew up by your neglect of them. As soon as you began 
to care about them, that care was exercised in sending persons to rule 
them, in one department and another, who were perhaps the deputie« 



390 " SONS OF LIBKKTV. 

of deputies to some ipembers of this house, sent to spy out their liber- 
ties, to misrepresent theii actions, and to prej' upon them ; men, whose 
behavior upon many occasions has caused the blood of those Sons of 
Liberty to recoil within them ^ men promoted to the highest seats of jus- 
tice, some who, to my knowledge, were glad, b\' going to a foreign 
country, to escape being brought to •*h** bar of a court of justice in 
their own. 

" They protected hy tour arms/ They hp.\^. nobly taken up arms in 
your defense ; have exerted a valor amidst theif constant and labori- 
ous industry, for the defense of a country whose frontie" was drenche-^ 
in blood, while its interior parts yielded all its little sf.V'ngs lo youi 
emolument. 

"And believe me — remember, I this day told you so — the same sp'ri* 
of freedom which actuated that people at first will accompany thei* 
still. 

" But prudence forbids me to explain myself further. God knows I de 
not at this time speak from motives of party heat ; what I deliver are 
the genuine sentiments of my heart. However superior to me in gen- 
eral knowledge and experience, the respectable body of this House may 
be, yet I claim to know more of America than most of j'ou, having 
seen, and been conversant in that countrv. The people, I believe, are 
as truly loyal as any subjects the King has ; but a people jealous of 
their liberties, and who will vindicate them, if ever they should be vio- 
lated. But the subject is too delicate ; I will sa}' no more." 

This speech had a thrilling effect, and was copied in all the papers in 
the American colonies, beginning with New London The name of 
Sons of Libkety was caught up and echoed through the land. 

But the ministry were powerful, and on the 27th of February, 1765, 



"folly of EXGLAXD RU1.\ OF AMERICA." . 39I 

the Stamp Act passed in the House of Commons by a vote of two hun- 
dred and rorty-five to forty-nine ; nearly five to one. In a few daj's, 
the House of Lords agreed to tlie bill. The King was laboring under 
an attack of insanity, and the bill was signed b\' commission. 

By the Stamp Act and the Navigation Acts America was bound 
in fetters. Her trade with all other countries except England was 
crushed ; her manufactures suppressed, and a scheme begun by which 
ever}' dollar of their property could be wrung from the people. 

The tidings were received with consternation. In Virginia, the legis- 
lature was in session. Patrick Henr}^ had just been elected a member 
to fill a vacanc}'. His maiden speech was one to urge the adoption of 
resolutions which he proposed, claiming for Virginians equal rights and 
franchises with th.e people of Great Britain, and above all, the riglil of 
being (axed only by representatives of their own choice. A stormy 
debate ensued, and many threats were uttered. Many members sought 
to moderate the impassioned orator, but Patrick Henry, full of the 
greatness of the danger, cried out : " Tarquin and Caesar had each his 
Brutus ; Charles the First his Cromwell ; and George the Third " — " Trea- 
son," shouted Robinson, the speaker, already a defaulter to the colony. 
"Treason, treason," shouted the adherents of English power, while 
Henry, fixing his eye on Robinson, as if to wither him for his interrup- 
tion, continued without faltering — "may profit by their example." 

Carried away by his eloquence, the resolutions were passed. As 
rapidly as the mails of that day could bear the Virginia paper to other 
colonies, these resolutions were reprinted, and all America was 
aflame. 

In New York, resistance was universally talked of The odious act 
was printed, and hawked about as " The Folly of England and Ruin of 



392 NOT A STAMP OFFICER TO BE FOUND. 

America." Associations of Sons of Liberty were organized in all the 
colonies. Merchants met, and resolved to use no stamps, to stop im- 
porting English goods, or buying them from anj- one, till this odious 
law was repealed. Home manufactures were to be encouraged, and 
home-spun goods were to be the mark of a true patriot. 

The British officers embittered this feeling by their tyranny. Men 
were impressed for the British navy, and this led to resistance and re- 
taliation. Thus, at Newport, the boat of an offending English captain 
was seized and burnt on the common amid the cheers of the people. 

Everywhere the people, by processions, by burning in effigy the ob- 
noxious ministers, by raising libertj'-poles, showed their determination 
to resist. 

At Boston, in August, Oliver, the Governor, with Bute and Gren- 
>ille, was hung in effigy, and a vast multitude, in great order, bearing 
che images on a bier, marched directh' through the old State House, 
shouting, "Liberty, Property, and no Stamps," and, demolishing a 
frame building, said to have been intended for a Stamp-office, they 
used the material for a bonfire, in which tlicy consumed the effigies. 
Lieutenant Governor Hutchinson ordered the colonel of the militia to 
beat an alarm. "My drummers," said he, "are in the mob." He 
then attempted to disperse the crowd by the aid of the sheriff, but was 
glad to escape with his life. 

Everywhere it was declared that the Stamp Act was a violation of 
Magna Charta, and of no force. All determined that no stamps should 
be issued or used. Those who had accepted appointments as Stamp-offi- 
cers were forced to resign. By October, not a Stamp-officer was to be 
found, and on the 1st of November the Act was to go into operation. 
At New York, Lieutenant Governor Golden resolved to receive the 



■ DEMONSTRATIONS IN EVERY LARGE TOWN. 393 

stamps himself, and was supported by Major James, the commander of 
the troops, who boasted that he would cram the Stamp Act down the 
people's throats with the point of his sword, and promised, with twenty- 
four men, to drive all its opponents out of New York. Yet Golden fled 
to the fort, and got marines from a man-of-war to protect him. He 
would have fired on the people, but was menaced with the fate of Por- 
teus, at Edinburgh, who was hanged by a mob. 

When the day came, a vast torchlight procession, such as New York 
has always delighted in, promenaded the streets, bearing a scaffold with 
eflSgies of the Governor and the Devil, and banners inscribed, "The 
Folly of England and the Ruin of America." They went down to the 
fort, and, fearless of its canuou, knocked at the gate, then broke open Col- 
den's coach-house, and placing the figures in his elegant vehicle, bore 
them around the town, and finall}^ burned them, with the fragments of 
his carriage and sleigh, at the Bowling Green. 

James's house was also visited, and his furniture taken for a bonfire, 
as a punishment for his bravado. 

In every large town there were demonstrations showing the public 
feeling. At Portsmouth, in New Hampshire, the bells were tolled as 
for a funeral. Liberty was dead. Notice was given to her friends to 
attend. A coflBn neatly adorned, and bearing the inscription, "Liberty, 
AGED CXLV. YEARS," issued fi'om the State House, to the sound of muffled 
drums, while minute guns boomed as the sad procession moved along. 
A funeral oration was delivered, but as the deceased revived, the in- 
scription was altered, the bells rang out a merry peal, and all was joy 
and exultation. 

These were the acts of the populace, led by the Sons of Liberty, and 
had thei-e been only this, the ruling powers in England might liave 



394 THE FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 

treated it all as the freaks of a mob, that would soon be forgotten. 
Many, indeed, were of this opinion, and tliought that after a while the- 
people would get used to paying the tax, and not regard it. 

The liberties of a countr}- are always lost in this way. Some little 
incroachment is suffered under a plausible pretext, then another is add- 
ed, and people wake up at last to find that all their liberties hare 
been swept from them. 

It was not so with our forefathers. They were vigilant and prized 
their liberties. While the people thus showed their feeling, the lead- 
ing statesmen of America met in Congress at New York, on the Ttli of 
October, 1765. This was the first Continental Congress. Delegates 
came from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, 
Maryland, and South Carolina, with informal delegations from Delaware, 
New Jersey, and New York. Their object was to consider the safest 
groundwork on which to rest American libertj-. They elected as chair- 
man Timothy Ruggles of Massachusetts, and continued in session for 
fourteen days. Sterling patriots were there, James Otis, Robert and 
Philip Livingston, Thomas McKean, and Caesar Rodne}*, with Lynch, 
Gadsden, and Rutledge of South Carolina ; some were less true and 
decided, but they all agreed on the necessity of union and resistance to 
oppression. They adopted a Declaration of Rights, written by John 
Cruger, a petition to the King, drawn up by Robert R. Livingston, 
with bold and eloquent memorials to both Houses of Parliament, from 
the pen of the able James Otis. 

These statesmen implored the King and Parliament, in calm and dig- 
nified language, to pause in their illegal course, which could only bring 
miserj' to both countries. 

When tidings of all this reached England, and the acts of the Con- 



PITT, THE DEFENDER UF AMERICA. 395 

gress were printed there, a general excitement ensued. Merchants saw 
.a profitable trade mined. Manuiactures had to stop. People were 
thrown out of employment. So the merchants and manufacturers of 
England turned on Parliament as the cause of their ruin, and joined 
in the petitions of the colonies. 

The matter came up in Parliament. Pitt was again the defender of 
the rights of the Americans. 

" We are told," he cried, " that America is obstinate ; America is 
almost in open rebellion. Sir, I rejoice America has resisted : three 
millions of people so dead to all the feelings of liberty, as voluntarily 
to submit to be slaves, would have been fit instruments to make slaves 
•of all the rest. ... I know the valor of your troops, I know the skill of 
j-our officers, I know the Ibrce of this country- ; but in sucli a cause 
your success would be hazardous. America, if she fell, would fall like 
.a strong man ; she would embrace the pillars of the State, and pull 
down the Constitution with her. Is this 3'our boasted peace ? not to 
slieathe the sword in the scabbard, but to sheathe it in the bowels of 
your countrymen? The Americans have been wronged, they have been 
■driven to madness by injustice. I will beg leave to tell the House in a 
few words wdiat is really ni}' opinion. It is that the Stamp Act be re- 
Spealed absolutely, totally, immediately." 

America looked to this great statesman as their friend and champion. 
His statue was erected in various parts. That in New York stood in 
Wall Street, till the English occupied the city during the Revolution ; 
and then the soldiers, hating him as one who encouraged the colonists in 
their ideas of liberty, broke off the head, and mutilated the statue. 
The broken remains of the statue of William Pitt are still preserved in 
the Historical Society in New York, a monument of his integrity, of the 



396 THE FIRST VICTORY WON FOR THE COLONIES. 

respect our fathers entertained for him, and of the British hatred of 
American liberty. 

Benjamin Franlvlin was then in England. He was examined before 
the House of Commons. His answers were, like all he said, clear, 
plain, and to the point. They asked him whether the people of Amer' 
ica would submit to the Stamp Act if it was moderated. He answered, 
bluntly and plainly : " No, never, unless compelled by force of arms." 

General Conwa}' brought in a bill for its repeal, and after much dis- 
CHSsion it was repealed by a vote of two hundred and seventy -five to 
one hundred and sixty-seven. 

The odious act was indeed removed, but Parliament passed another 
act, claiming the power to bind the colonies in all cases whatsoever. 

In America, the news of the repeal was received with unbounded 
joy and exultation. It was the first victory won. But the wise states- 
men who had grown up in the various colonies saw that it was but the 
beginning. In fact, in 1767, the ministry in England proposed to lay a 
duty on paint, paper, glass, and lead, and also on tea, which had be-- 
come a very common article in America. Pitt was stricken down with 
illness ; scarcely a voice was raised for America, and the bill passed. 
New York had given offense by refusing, through her Assembh', to quar- 
ter soldiers on the people, so Parliament, growing bolder, by a new act, 
restrained the New York Assembly from any further powers till it sub- 
mitted to the will of England. 

Again, all America was in a flame. " What is it we are contending 
against?" says Washington. "Is it against paying a duty of three 
pence per pound on tea, because burdensome ? No, it is the right only 
that we have all along disputed." Public meetings were called, pamph- 
lets issued full of eloquence and political wisdom. It was resolved 



HANCOCK S SLOOr LIBERTY SEIZED. 397 

again to use no English manufactures. Massachusetts sent a petition to 
the King, and a circular to the other colonies. The English ministrj' 
called on Massachusetts to rescind the circular as rash. The answer 
was doliaut. 

Officers were sent over to collect the custom-house duties. John 
Hancock s sloop Liberty was seized, on a charge of smuggling, in June, 
17GS, and placed under the guns of a man-of-war. A riot at once 
broke out in Boston ; the custom-house officers barelj- escaped with life. 
Their boat was dragged in triumph through the city, and then burned 
on Boston common, while the custom-house officers, frightened out of 
their senses, lied to the Romne}' man-of-war. As if this were not enough, 
the commander of the Romney began to impress men to serve on his 
ship, in direct violation of an Act of Parliament. 

The indignation of the people, roused by this, was kindled to fury, 
when Ihey learned that two regiments had been summoned from Hali- 
fax, and would soon laud in Boston. 

The {)eople called on Governor Bernard to convene the General 
Court, or Legislature. He refused. Then the people met in Conven- 
tion, and again addressed the King. 

The next day the troops arrived. Massachusetts refused to provide 
them quarters, .so they were landed under cover of tlie ships-of-war, 
and with loaded muskets, and fixed bayonets, the hated foreign soldiery 
marched into Boston. One regiment was placed in Faneuil Hall, the 
other encamped on the common, and the next day, Sunday, took pos- 
session of the State House, and patrolled the streets. 

The Legislature of Virginia was in session. It denounced the con- 
duct of the Government so boldly that Governor Botetourt dissolved 
it. They met as a Convention, and passed resolutions against im- 



398 " THE BATTLE OF GOLDEN HILL." 

porting British goods. Boston, Salem, New York, and Connecticut 
loUowed. Then the General Court of Massachusetts met : it refused to 
proceed to business till the troops were removed. So the Governor at 
last prorogued them and went to England. 

Alarmed at the storm, yet stubborn still, the Parliament repealed 
all the duties except that on tea. 

Troubles had already begun in America between the red-coats, as 
the soldiers were now called, and the people. 

In New York, the English party succeeded in getting a majority ia 
the Assembly, and that body agreed to give quarters to the troops. 
The soldiers lost no opportunity of showing their contempt for the peo- 
ple. In January, 1770, a party of them attempted to cut down and 
blow up a liberty-pole which had been erected in the Park ; they at- 
tacked some citizens who denounced them, and finally succeeded at 
night in leveling it. The Sons of Liberty called a meeting, and de- 
clared the soldiers enemies of the peace. The soldiers replied by scur- 
rilous placards, and two of them, while posting these libels up, were ar- 
rested. An attempt of the soldiers to rescue their comrades led to 
what was long known in New York as the Battle of Golden Hill. 
Though the soldiers were reinforced from the barracks, the citizens, un- 
armed as they were, disarmed and dispersed them, though not till sev- 
eral citizens were severely wounded. The soldiers were completely 
overcome, when their officers appeared and ordered them to their bar- 
racks. One young man, who in this struggle wrested a musket from a 
British soldier, carried it through the whole Revolutionary war, and 
lived to a great age, to see his country among the greatest nations on 
die earth, and his descendants still cherish, as a relic, the musket won 
by Michael Smith, the Liberty Boy. 



THE BOSTON MASSACRE. 399 

In Boston a similar feeling arose. The people, abused by the soldierSj 
proceeded to extremes. On the 5th of March, a mob collected around 
the soldiers, and pressed on them so that they called for assistance. 
Captain Preston sent eight men with unloaded muskets to aid them. 
Th<; mob then began to pelt the soldiers with snow-balls, and anything 
they could find. The soldiers loaded their muskets, but the mob, led 
by Crispus Attucks, a mulatto, rushed on, and Attucks dealt a terrible 
blow at Captain Preston, which the Captain parried. It struck a bay- 
onet from a soldier, which Attucks seized. A struggle ensued, till at 
last a soldier who had been struck down sprang up and shot Attucks 
dead. Five other soldiers fired. Three men were killed, and five 
wounded. 

The tumult in Boston then became fearful. The cry was: "The 
soldiers are risen." The Governor endeavored to allay the excite- 
ment. The soldiers were ordered to their barracks. The next day, 
Preston and several of the soldiers were arrested for murder, for our 
forefathers thought more of their liberties than we do in our days, and 
soldiers had no right to shoot down the people without an order from a 
magistrate, and certain forms of law. 

This was called the Boston massacre. The victims were buried with 
solemn ceremonies, and for years an oration was delivered as the anni- 
versary of the Boston massacre came around ; so deep was the feeling 
against the attempt of the army to crush the liberties of the people. 

The trial of Captain Preston and his soldiers was an important eveat. 
It lasted six days. They were defended by two of the purest patriots, 
John Adams and Josiah Quincy, jr. Two were convicted of man- 
slaughter, the rest acquitted. 

As the news of this affair spread through the continent, the feeling 



400 REVENUE SCHOONER, GASPEE, BURNED. 

grew more intense. Up to this time the people had been asking theii 
rights as British subjects ; they asked their British liberties. Now they 
beeame Americans. The veiy name of British became odious. Every- 
tiling that represented the British Government was odious. It required 
only a trifle anywhere to bring on a collision. 

At Newport, an armed revenue schooner, the Gaspee, had been very 
active in enforcing the revenue laws, and annoyed all the American 
vessels entering Narragansett Bay. Lieutenant Duddington, the com- 
mander, an ignorant bully, made himself doubly obnoxious by compel- 
ling all vessels to take down their colors in his presence, firing into 
them in case of neglect. He insolently refused to show Governor 
Wanton, of Rhode Island, his commission or orders. All was accord- 
ingly ripe for any opportunity to give him and his masters a lesson in 
good manners and common sense. 

On the 9th of June, 1772, Captain Lindsay's packet, Hannah, the regu- 
lar packei from New York, came insight. Lindsay did not lower his flag, 
and Unddington at once gave chase. Knowing every inch of the bay, Lind- 
say ran close in to a point near Namquit, where he knew not one pilot in 
ten could go safclj', and soon, looking back, he chuckled to see the Gaspee 
run aground hard and fast. On he sailed, full of triumph, when a new 
idea entered his head. Wh\' not get rid of the Gaspee altogether ? 
On reacliing Providence, he told where she la}", oud as she could not 
get off before flood-tide, men's minds were soon made up. John Brown, 
a leading merchant, had eight long-boats prepared, and at dusk a man 
went around with a drum calling on volunteers to meet. Between ten 
and eleven o'clock at night, the boats, manned by Brown, Captain 
Abraham Whipple, and other brave fellows, numbering sixty-four in 
nil, pushed out in silence. As they closed in around the Gaspee, 



BRIBES FAIL TO GAIN INFORMERS. 4OI 

(key were hailed by a sentinel on her deck, and as no reply came from, 
fvie boats, he roused Duddiugtou, who ran up in his shirt, and ordering 
blf the boats, fired a pistol at thein ; with the flash of his weapon came 
a flash from the boat, and he fell wounded to the deck. The assailants 
then boarded the Gaspee, and after dressing Duddiugton's wound or- 
dered the crew to leave the schooner, taking their commander and all 
Ihey or he owned. As soon as the last of them left the Gaspee, and 
no great time was given, the captors set fire to the schooner, and as the 
flames licked up the masts and rigging, the}' pulled off through the 
darkness, while far and near, the people, seeing the light, spread the 
tidings that the boys had burned the Gaspee. 

The next day, Governor Wanton issued a proclamation, offering a 
reward for the perpetrators of the audacious act. Admiral Montague 
came down, and blustered and threatened. The English Government 
sent out a special commission, and offered five thousand dollars rewai-d 
for the leader, and half as much for the arrest of any other person en- 
gaged in the destruction of the Gaspee ; not a man, woman, or child 
could be found in Rhode Island who knew anything about it. Maney 
did not tempt the poorest to become an informer. These cases showed 
ihat the colonies would no longer submit. 

England, too proud to retract, was embarrassed. She made the Colo- 
nial Governors and judges independent of the people, by paying their 
salaries. Governors dissolved or prorogued Assemblies, but this did 
not help matters. The East India Company had its storehouses in 
Enghuid full of tea, that Americans liked, but refused to buy. So the 
English Government resolved to send some over to America, as the 
American merchants would not order any. 

This caused a new excitement. Philadelphia led off by a publi^' 



402 "BUYS, HERES ANOTHER CHEST. 

meeting, which denounced as an enemy of his country every man who 
aided or abetted in unloading, receiving, or selling the tea. Merchants 
lo whom the tea was consigned were required to pledge themselves not 
to receive it. 

Ill Boston, similar meetings were held, but the consignees refused. 
The vessels arrived. A mass meeting was held at Faneuil Hall, which 
directed the ships to be moored at a certain wharf, and set a guard to 
watch them. The consignees wished to land and store it till fresh orders 
came from England, but the people insisted that the ships should take it 
back. 

The Governor and the custom-house officers would not yield, and re- 
fused to give them a clearance, or let them go without one. An excit- 
ed multitude gathered at the old South Church, still standing. Speeches 
were made to confirm them in their resolutions, and at last darkness 
began to cover the scene. Suddenly, in the gallery, a man disguised as 
;i Mohawk Indian raised a war-whoop. It was caught up and repeated 
without. " Hurra for Griffin's wharf! " was now the cry, and the 
meeting hastened down to where the three tea-ships lay. The disguised 
men boarded the tea-ships, and, while the crowd looked on in silence, 
they took out three hundred and forty-two chests of tea, broke them 
open, and poured the contents into the waters of Boston harbor. Their 
task did not end till every chest was emptied. When the last chest 
disappeared over the side of the vessel, the word was given to retire, 
for they did not touch a thing belonging to any of the ships. One 
of the men, however, had noticed that one of the party, who ^evidently 
liked a cup of tea, had filled his pockets. He caught hold of him, cry- 
ing : "No, boys, here's another chest!" and made him empty it all 
out. The crowd then dispersed without further noise or trouble. 



NORTH CAROLINA HAS TROUBLES OF HER OWN. 403 

As they moved away, they passed a house v here Admiral Mon- 
tague was. In his indignation, he raised the window and cried out : 
"Well, boys, you've had a fine night for your Indian caper, haven't 
you ? But mind, you've got to pay the fiddler yet" " Oh, never mind," 
shouted Pitt, one of the leaders, " never mind, Squire ; just come out 
here, if you please, and we'll settle the bill in two minutes ! " 

That very night, men who had come in from the country to attend 
flie meetings carried back the news, and it quickly spread. Paul Ke- 
vere was sent as an express messenger, to bear the information to New 
York and Philadelphia. Every eye kindled with joy at this solution of 
the great difficulty. The ships for New York were driven off by storms, 
and when they did arrive, the pilots, in obedience to the Committee of 
Vigilance, would not bring the vessels up, so they sailed back to Eng- 
land. Those for Philadelphia, finding matters no better there, did the 
same. At Charleston tea was indeed landed, but they had to store it in 
damp cellars, where it was soon ruined. 

The tea matter had proved as signal a failure as every other. 

One colony had especial troubles of its own. This was North Caro- 
lina. It had been cursed beyond all others with a needy set of office- 
holders, sent there to wring money from the people under any and every 
pretext. The most exorbitant taxes were levied, and yet the provin- 
cial treasury was empty. The land abounded in informers, the vilest 
of the vile, but there was no justice to bring to account those who were 
defaulters to the treasury. Driven to desperation, a number of the 
poor people formed a secret society, and, under the name of Regulators, 
entered into a compact, binding themselves by oath not to pay sluj 
taxes at all, until all exorbitant fees were abolished, and official em- 
bezzlement punished and prevented. They saw no hope except in self- 



404 THE NORTH CAROLINA REGULATORS. 

government, and a speedy release from the unchristian and plundering 
ert'w wliu had poured in on them. 

The wanton seizure of (he horse of one of the Regulators, as he was 
riding to Hillsborougli, led to a collision. The people rescued the 
horse, and several shots were tired fioni among the crowd into the roof 
of the house of Fanning, the military commander. On the 30lh of 
April, 1768, the Regulators held a general meeting at Rocky 
River, and drew up a petition to the General Assembly. Fanning, on 
this, seized Herman Husbands and William Butler, two prominent lib- 
eral men. who had not, however, joined the Regulators. They were 
thrown into jirison, and treated with all severity. When Husbands w.if, 
brought to trial, iiis innocence wasso clear, tiiat even a packed jury and 
an unscrupulous judge had to acquit bim. The heavy charges brought 
by the Regulators against Fanning, led to his trial. The court had to 
convict him on six indictments, so they iined him one penny, and fined 
three poor Regulators fifty pounds apiece. At the next election, Hii.'-- 
bands was chosen to the Assembly, but was expelled. Tryon, the 
Governor, then arrested the ]iatriot, and threw him into prison, and 
forced the Assembly to pass a Riot Act by which people could be tried 
in any Superior Court, no matter how distant from their homes — an 
atrocity unheard of in any free coiuitry. 

The Regulators gathered in the woods, and resolved to use tlie last 
resource. Honor and good faith prompted them to join for tlie rescue 
of Husbands. Tryon was intimidated. The patriot was set free. The 
Regulators remained in arms till it was agreed that the differences 
should be left to an umpire. 

Fanning and Tryon were bent on revenge. Sixty-one Regulators 
were at once indicted, and Tryon raised troops to march into the dis- 



♦ FIRST REGULAR BATTLE WITH ROVAL TROOPS. 405 

affected counties. His progress was marked by the destruction of 
wlieat-fields and orchards, the l)urning of every house which was found 
empty, and tlie plundering of ail slock and produce. The terrilied 
people fled like slieep before a wolf. At the Great Alamance, the Reg- 
ulators had gathered, and chosen James Hunter as their general, a man 
universally esteemed. He did not wish to fight the Governor, and 
made proposals. The Governor required them to laj' down their arras 
and submit absolutely. On their refusal, he opened with his cannon on 
the [x.'ople. Many of the Regulators retired ; the rest for two hours 
stood their ground, retiring after a time behind trees, till they had 
nearly expended theii- ammunition. Then, having lost twenty, they re- 
tired, leaving nine of the King's troops dead on the field, and sixty-one 
wounded. Some were taken in the pursuit, and one of these Tryon 
hanged tlie next day on a tree, without an}' form of trial. 

This wivs the first regular battle between Americans and royal 
troops, led by a Royal Governor ; and James Few was the first patriot 
martyr who laid down his life for the cause of self-government and 
freedom in America. Twelve others were soon after hanged, having 
undergone the mockery of a trial. 

With this blood on his soul, Tr3'on confiscated the lands of the Reg- 
ulators, and sailed to New York, of which he had been appointed Gov- 
ernor. 

Foreign rule, extortion, fraud, and corruption had triumphed for ti 
time in North Carolina. The insolent extortioners and oflicers taunted 
the RegiUators, telling them that Alamance was their court of record! 

Driven from their homes by such miseries, many of the people of 
North Carolina crossed the mountains, and settled in the valley of the 
Watauga. Here, in 1772, they founded a republic by a written associ- 



406 THE REPUBLIC OF WATAUGA. * 

ation, appointed James Robertson their Governor, and formed their own 
laws. Thus British misgovernment overshot itself. It led some Ameri- 
cans to set themselves up as a separate State, independent of the au- 
thority of the British King — a lesson all were soon to learn. 

Thus, in the Republic of Walauga, began Tennessee. About the 
same time, a trader named Finley, who had crossed the mountains from 
Yirgiuia, came back with such a glowing account of the country there 
that Daniel Boone caught his enthusiasm, and set out to explore with 
Finley and John Stuart. In May, 1769, they were in the valley of the 
Kentucky. They were surprised by Indians, who were already hostile, 
and looked with jealousy on any white intrusion. In spite of this, 
Boone returned to Virginia for a band of settlers. The}" were driven 
back, but a treaty was finally made, and, opening the first blazed-road 
through the woods, he founded Boonesborough, on the Kentucky River, 
in 1775. 

Daniel Boone is the type of the American pioneer. He was the 
founder of Kentucky, the great hunter and Indian fighter of the early 
West. His perils, his adventures with the Indians, would fill a yoI- 
ume. Of them we shall speak more hereafter. 

The hostilities of the Indians on the frontier at this time were such 
that Lord Dunmore, Governor of Virginia, called out the militia, and 
the little army moved in two divisions, one under the Governor, the 
other under General Andrew Lewis. The latter division reached Point 
Pleasant, on the Ohio. Here he was about to cross, when his active 
scouts came in announcing that a large Indian force was drawn up quite 
near them, consisting of Shawnees, Mingoes, Wj^andots, and Caj'ugas, 
led by Cornstalk, a warrior of great renown. Colonels Lewis and 
Fleming were sent out to meet them. The troops advanced in two 



CONFEDERATE INDIANS MAKE PEACE. 407 

lines, but had not proceeded a hundred yards before the Indians opened 
on them. Both colonels fell wounded, and their men retreated. They 
were rallied by the gallant Colonel Field, and a desperate battle ensued. 
The Indians had thrown up a breastwork of logs and trees, and from 
this they poured their deadly volleys into the Virginians, repelling their 
brave and repeated charges. The day was far spent, when three com- 
panies, under Captains Shelby, Matthews, and Stuart, ascended Crooked 
Creek, which there entered the Kanhawa, and stealing up quietly under 
cover of the high bank, suddenly opened on the Indian rear. Suppos- 
ing that Colonel Christian had come up with expected reinforcements, 
the red men at last fled, having fought from morning to night, with a 
steadiness seldom shown by Indians. 

In this bloody and hard-fought battle, seventy-five Virginians were 
killed, and a hundred and forty wounded, while the Indians lost about 
the same number. 

Cornstalk, soon after this, induced his confederate Indians to make 
peace, and a treaty was concluded in 1774. He was an Indian pos- 
sessing many noble qualities, and it is sad to have to state that he was 
shortly after murdered by some white men. 



PART III. 

THE AMERICAN EEVOLUTION. 



CHAPTER I. 



Gwrge m. <oscs America — The Continental Congress— The Boston Port Bill— The Quebee 
Act — The Continental Congress meets — Provincial Congress — Battle of Lexington and 
Concord — Siege of Boston — Capture of Ticonderoga and Crown Point — Congress organizes 
an Army — George Washington Commander-in-Chief — Battle of Bunker Hill — The Invasion 
of Canada — Failure to take Quebec — Death of Montgomery. 

The news of the proceedings in Boston in regard to the tea, and the 
general opposition througliout the country, was received in England 
with great indignation, but there was no thought of an altered policy. 
The English Government has never seen any way except to put the peo- 
ple down. 

Boston was to be punished. They resolved to deprive her of her 
trade as far as they could. A bill was brought into Parliament, and 
passed almost without opposition, closing the port of Boston. All the 
officers concerned in the collection of his Majestj^'s customs at Boston 
were removed, and no goods were to be landed or discharged, laded or 
shipped, from that rebellious port. 

By another act, the Governor was authorized to appoint all ofiBcers, 
and these ofiBcers were to choose juiymen ; town meetings were pro- 
hibited by law. Another act authorized the Governor to send any one 
indicted for murder, or other capital offense, committed in aiding the 
authorities, to another colony, or even to England, to be tried there ; 
thus giving to Massachusetts the wicked plans pursued in North Caro- 



POLICY TOWARDS CATHOLICS IN CANADA. 409 

Jina. Wliile these acts, and a new one for quartering troops, were in- 
tended to ciusli down the old Englisli colonies, Parliament endeavored 
to conciliate Canada. Tliat province, after the peace, had been really 
governed by the few British officials, and a few worthless men who had 
accompanied the British arm}- — sutlers, bummers, and people of the 
lowest character. Every means was adopted to rob, insult, and oppress 
the Canadians in their civil and religious rights. At last, the Govern- 
ment, seeing so much trouble arising in the old colonies, began a new 
course, fearing lest France might step in to recover Canada. The Que- 
bec Act, as it was called, left the Canadians under the French law, to 
which they had been so long accustomed ; and created a legislative 
council for their Government. They were also restored to the full en- 
joyment of their religious rights, their clergy were left in possession of 
the church property and the tithes which had previously been paid 
them. At the same time, the boundaries of the province were extend- 
ed to the Ohio. 

While this toleration of the Canadians was just in itself, and secured 
their fidelity, it was regarded in the older colonies with great suspicion 
and indignation. The Catholic religion was very unpopular ; the Eng- 
lish Government had itself constantly inflamed the people against it ; 
the colonies had for years contributed men and money to reduce Cana- 
da, with the avowed object of putting down the Catholic religion there, 
and now to have it established in that very colony by the power of 
England, was too much for them to bear. In this, and its extension to 
the Oliio, they saw only a scheme for their destruction. 

The Boston Port Bill drew out the most eloquent protests of the 
statesmen of Massachusetts. The Assembly of Virginia, of which 
"Washington was then a member, at once passed an order deploring the 



4IO CONTRIBUTIONS TO AID DISTRESSED BOSTON. 

act, and appointed a day of fasting to implore tlie Divine interposition to 
iivert the civil war which they saw threatening the land. Lord Dun- 
juore at once dissolved the Assenibl}'. 

The General Court of Massachusetts were as decided. The Gover- 
nor, General Gage, adjourned the court to Salem, but they adopted res- 
olutions encouraging the people of Boston, and when the Governor de- 
clined to appoint a day for public prayer, appointed one themselves. 
Their decisive act was that appointing delegates to the General Con- 
gress of the Colonies, which was to meet in Philadelphia, in September. 
Governor Gage, learning what was going on, sent his secretary to dis- 
solve the House, but that lunctionary found the doors locked, so he 
bawled out the Governor's proclamation on the steps leading to the 
chamber in which the patriotic Assembly was in session. 

It terminated their acts as a royal assembly, but they continued to 
sit till all their business was completed. 

The closing of the port of Boston filled that town with distress, but 
none thought of yielding. From all parts, beginning with generous and 
patriotic South Carolina, contributions poured in to aid unfortunate Bos- 
ton. 

Throughout the country assemblies were held, and delegates chosen to 
the coming Continental Congress. In every village and town, men were 
drilling, and preparing for military service ; those who had acquired ex- 
perience in the late wars with the French and Indians, were looked 
upon as leaders, and gave the influence of real soldiers. The boys and 
girls were busy casting bullets and making cartridges ; the men were 
putting in order the firearms in their hands, or securing new ones. 

The English Government was also preparing for war. Looking on Bos- 
ton as the centre of the trouble, they resolved to overawe it by a large 



CARPENTERS HALL ACCEI'TED. 4I I 

military force. Troops were ordered from Ireland, Halifax, Quebec, and 
Kew York. As these came in. Gage seized and prepared to fortifj' Boston 
Neck. When he proceeded to seize some powder in Cambridge, all New 
England was aroused, and, as the report spread that the British army 
and navy were firing on Boston, no less than thirty thousand men in 
arms began to march on the city. Gage was shut up in Boston. His 
power as Governor of Massachusetts was at an end ; for it was not re- 
spected beyond the lines of his soldiers. 

While things were in this state, the Continental Congress met in Phil- 
adeli»hia, on the 5th of September, 1774. With the delegates of North 
Carolina, who came in a few days later, they were in all fifty-three dele- 
gates, representing twelve colonies, Georgia not having as yet acted. 

They met at Smith's tavern, and prepared to select a place for their 
permanent sessions. The carpenters of Philadelphia offered their plain 
but spacious hall, and from respect for the mechanics it was accepted 
by a large majority. This building became, as it were, the cradle of 
the American Eepublic. Peyton Randolph, late speaker of the As- 
sembly of Virginia, was unanimously chosen president, reallj', though 
not in name, the first President of the United States. Among the mem- 
bers were Patrick Henry, George Washington, Richard Henry Lee, 
Samuel and John Adams, John Jaj', Stephen Hopkins, the aged pa- 
triot of Rhode Island, Gadsden, and Rutledge, of South Carolina. The 
most eminent men of the various colonies were now brought together. 
They were known to each other by fame, but had hitherto been stran- 
gers. The meeting was awfully solemn. The object which had called 
them together was the liberties of three millions of people. 

Patrick Henry opened the proceedings of this important body with 
one of his most eloquent and comprehensive discourses. 



412 "for peace, liberty and safety." 

Then the Congress proceeded to lay the groundwork of their actio*. ^ 
to make the last appeal to the rectitude of the people of England. 
They were no revolutionists ; their earliest acts showed, that for the 
sake of peace they would yield even some of their cherished rights. 
But the case of Massachusetts required a distinct and plain statement. 
They resolved " That this Congress approve the opposition of the inhabi- 
tants of the Massachusetts Bay, to the execution of the late Acts of Par- 
liament ; and if the same shall be attempted to be carried into execu- 
tion by force, in such case, all America ought to support them in their 
opposition. 

The Quebec act, and ten others, were declared to be such infringe- 
ments and violations of the rights of the colonies, that the repeal of 
them was essentially necessary, in order to restore harmony between 
the colonies and Great Britain. 

They bound themselves to stop almost all commerce with England, 
and, while it refused to petition Parliament, the Continental Congress 
addressed the King, the people of Great Britain, and the people of the 
neighboring provinces who had not joined the movement, but who were 
now invited to make common cause with them. 

" We ask," said this Congress to George III., " we ask but for peace, 
liberty, and safety. We wish not a diminution of the prerogative, nor 
the grant of any new right. Your royal authority over us, and our 
connection with Great Britain, we shall always support and maintain ;'* 
and they besought of the King, " as the loving father of his whole 
people, his interposition for their relief, and a gracious answer to their 
petition." 

Then this famous body adjourned, to meet in May. 

Parliament treated with scorn the temperate demands of the Ameri- 



ENGLISH KING DECLARED WAR UPON THE COLONIES. 4I3 

can colonies tliroiigli their Congress. On Thursda}', tlie 9th of February, 
1775, the Chiincellor of England, the speaker of tlie House of Com' 
iHons, and most of the members of both Houses of Parliament, pro' 
ceeded in state to the palace, and in presence of the representatives of 
the great powers of Europe, presented to George HI. a sanguinary 
address, declaring "that a rebellion actually existed in the province of 
Massachusetts Bay," and they " besought his Majesty to adopt measures 
to enforce the authority of the Supreme Legislature, and solemnly as- 
sured him that it was their fixed resolution, at the hazard of their lives 
and properties, to stand by him against his rebellious subjects." 

In reply, George HI. pledged himself, speedily and effectuall}^ to 
enforce obedience to the laws, and the authorit}- of the Supreme Legis- 
lature. 

Thus, with all the pomp of the Old World, George III., with his Par- 
liament, in presence of the civilized world, threw away the scabbard, 
and declared war upon his own colonies, and his own people. 

While Massachusetts, left without a Government, was reorganizing 
under a Provincial Congress and Committee of Safety, England was 
preparing to crush her. Gage was to be superseded. William Howe 
was to be sent over as Commander-in-Chief, and under him, as Major- 
Generals, Heniy Clinton and John Burgoyno. Admiral Howe was to 
command the fleet that was to bear to the American shores the over- 
powering force, and to him were given powers as pacificator; but in 
case of fixilure, the English authorities made no secret of their intention 
to use the French Canadians, Indians, and negroes, to crush the people 
of America into submission. 

When the Convention met in Virginia, some faint-hearted men look- 
ed at their weakness, their utter want of means to oppose the great 



414 AN APPEAL TO ARMS 'WE MUST FIGHT. 

and powerful mother-country. This roused Patrick Henry, who saw 
tiiat the day of conciliation was past. 

"Are fleets and armies," he exclaimed, "necessary to a work of 
love and reconciliation ? These are the implements of subjugation, acnt 
orer to rivet upon us the chains which the British ministry have been 
so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try 
argument ? We have been trying that for the last ten years ; have we 
anything new to offer ? Shall we resort to entreaty and supplication ? 
We have petitioned — we have remonstrated — we have supplicated — 
and we have been spurned from the foot of the throne. In vain may 
we indulge the fond hope of reconciliation. There is no longer room 
for hope. If we wish to be free, we must fight ! I repeat it, Sir, we 
must fight ! An appeal to arms, and to the God of Hosts, is all that is 
left us ! 

"They tell me that we are weak ; but shall we gather strength by ir-' 
resolution ? We are not weak. Three millions of people, armed in the 
holy cause of Libert}^ and in such a country, are invincible by any force 
which our enemy can send against us. We shall not fight alone. A 
just God presides over the destinies of nations ; and will raise up 
friends for us. The battle is not to the strong alone ; it is to the vigi- 
lant, the active, the brave. Besides, we have no election. If we were 
base enough to desire it, it is too late to retire from the contest. There 
is no retreat but in submission and slavery. The war is inevitable — 
and let it come ! let it come ! 

"Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of 
chains and slavery ? Forbid it, Almighty God ! I know not what 
course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me 
death ! " 



THE DECISIVE ACT NOT LONG DELAYED. 415 

These words rang through the country, and for years were on the 
lips of all. They embodied the sentiments of a nation. 

Dunmore, in alarm, seized the powder of the colony, stored at Wil- 
liamsburg. Virginia rose in arms, as Massachusetts had done. 

It was evident that the slightest thing would now precipitate actual 
hostilities. 

The decisive act was not long delayed. 

In the beautiful little town of Concord, near which Winthrop, the 
father of Massachusetts, had given counsel, and Eliot, the Indian apos- 
tle, spoken his words of Christian doctrine, the Massachusetts Provin- 
cial Congress had gathered the trifling store of ammunition and arms 
which they could raise to defend their soil. Gage resolved to seize and 
destroy the magazine. Eight hundred picked men, grenadiers and light 
infantry, were sent out stealthily from Boston, but their movements 
were watched. General "Warren had already sent off one messenger to 
Lexington. Paul Revere, the other, rowed over Charles River, and 
stood b\' his horse watching the steeple of the Old South. There a 
friend stood, watching the movements of the troops, ready to show one 
light if they were to move by land, two if by water. Suddenly the signal 
flashed out — a single light. Revere read its meaning at aglance, and rode 
on hard and fast. Two British ofBcers attempted to intercept him, but 
he led them into a mire, and dashed on over the flinty road. His voice 
rang out at every house, the minute-men were roused, the whole line 
of country, through which the British hoped to steal like thieves in the 
night, was on the alert. The ringing of bells and the firing of guns^ 
told the troops that all their precautions were wasted. The alarm was 
spreading wide and fast. It was to be no holiday excursion. 

The people, roused by Revere, everywhere turned out and removed 



41 6 CAPTAIN PARKER AND HIS MIXUTE-MEX. 

the stores and ammunition, in small quantities, to hiding-places in 
woods and thickets. At Lexinglon, on the village green, the militia of 
the place were drawn up, and John Parker, captain of the beat, 
ordered his hundred and twenty men to load with ball, but not to fire 
till the enem}' commenced hostilities. 

As Colonel Smith, the English commander, advanced, he felt that his 
task was one of difficulty. Sending on Major Pitcairn of the marines, 
to secure the bridges over Concord River, he sent back a hurried mes- 
sage to Greneral Gage for reinforcements. 

Captain Parker dismissed his men, as the enemy did not appear. 
An escaped prisoner at last announced the approach of the enemy. 
At the roll of the drum seventv men assembled on the green, not half 
of them armed. Leading thirty-eight armed men to the north end of 
the green he formed them, just as Pitcairn came up on that bright 
Spring morning, April 19th, 1775. 

Brandishing his sword, the British officer advanced and shouted 
with an oath : " Lay down your arms, you rebels, or you are all dead 
men ; " but as the patriots did not flinch he gave the word to fire. A 
rattle of musketry followed ; Parker, seeing it useless to attempt to 
resist, ordered his men to disperse. In their retreat a second volley 
killed and wounded several. 

Colonel Smith came up as the life-blood of these patriots dyed the 
green turf and cried to Heaven for vengeance. 

He pushed on with his whole force to Concord, where the militia, 
seeing his numbers, retired. Smith cut down the Libertj'-pole, and 
began to destroy the flour, cannon, and such other stores as they could 
find. 

While they were scattered in this work, the Massachusetts minute- 



A DEFEATED FUGITIVE FORCE. 417 

nu'n and iiiililia were gathering around them. Whes these were in 
!^ufficicut force, Colonel Barrett formed them and marched upon Con- 
coi-d bridge, Major Buttrick in the van. The English jjosted at the 
bridge opened fire ; several of the American.s fell, but a volley iVom 
the whole of Buttrick's line cut up the English, three lieutenants 
being seen to fall. Tlie English fell back till the grenadiers came up 
to their support. Colonel Smith was now alarmed. He had not accom- 
plished his work, and if he attempted to remain would probably soon be 
a prisoner with his whole command. He collected his scattered parties 
and prepared for a hasty retreat. About noon he moved out of Con- 
curd ; but though he had entered it without opposition, he now found 
the hills through which his road ran, held by excited patriots. A 
constant rattle of musketry told on his line. Many were shot down, 
others gave out exhausted, the rest hurried on, panic-stricken. Just 
as they were reaching Lexington, Captain Parker's company poured 
in a volley with hearty good-will. At Lexington, which he entered 
after two hours' fight. Smith, to his great joy, met Lord Percy at 
the head of a thousand men, with two field-pieces, sent to his rescue. 
The fresh troops opened to receive in their centre the remnant of 
Smith's command, who were utterly exhausted. 

Then the retreat was resumed ; but the Americans, now organized 
under General Heath, with troops constantly pouring in, hung on 
their rear, galling them by a rapid and deadly fire. At Bunker's 
Hill Percy formed' his men into line and awaited an attack ; but 
General Heath did not deem it wise. He posted bis guard, and held 
the Neck with his little army. 

The boasting British troops had become a defeated fugitive force, 
cooped up in the city, with an actual army at its very doors. 



41 8 ALL WAS CHANGED — -THE WAR HAD BEGUN. 

Such was the battle of Lexington, the first in the Revolutionary 
War, for war had now begun in earnest; there was no way but to hylit 
it out. The American loss iu this series of skirmishes was eigiilv-live 
killed, wounded, and missing. On the English side, Colonel Smith, 
Captain Lawrence, and sixty-four men were killed, one hundred and 
seventy-eight wounded, and twenty-six missing. 

The night preceding the outrage at Lexington, there were not fifty 
people in the whole colon}^ that ever expected any blood would be 
shed : tiie night following, the King's governor and the King's array 
found themselves closely beleaguered in Boston. 

All was changed. Boston was the central point to which the citizen 
soldier\' hastened from all parts of New England. Veterans of the 
old French war led on their townsmen. Stark, from New Hampshii-c, 
was on the march ten minutes after the news came in ; Putnam, of 
Connecticut, though a man of sixty, hastened from his field to the 
camp. 

The Massachusetts Provincial Congress, while sending to England 
proof that the troops were the aggressors, issued paper money, seized 
forts and arsenals, raised troops, and organized the army. 

Boston was besieged by a force of twenty thousand men, who form- 
ed a line of encampment from Roxbury to the Mystic River. Of this 
arm}' Artemas Ward was appointed Captain General, and he proceed- 
ed at once to organize and prepare it for active service. 

Canada was always, in the eyes of the colonists, a point of danger, 
and Benedict Arnold proposed to the Massachusetts and Connecticut 
governments an expedition against it. Before he could gather a 
force for the purpose, the hardy men of Vermont were iu the field for 
the same object, under Ethan Allen. Arnold joined them, and finding 



"great JEHOVAH AND THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS." 4I9 

them uuwilling to recognize bis autliority, acted as a volunteer. They 
reached the lake, but for want of boats could transport over its placid 
waters only eigiity-tln-ee of their men. These formed silently in the 
shadow of the fort, just as day was beginning to break, and, led by 
Allen and Arnold, pushed boldly ii|) the height to the sally-port. The 
sentinel on dut\', startled as if men hud come up out of the lake, snap- 
ped his musket at the advancing force ; but as it missed fire, he re- 
treated through a covered way. On pushed the Americans close 
upon him, and disarmed another sentinel, after he had wounded one of 
the ofiQcers. Reaching the parade the}' formed in two lines, facing 
the barracks on both sides, and gave three huzzas. The garrison, 
startled from their beds, rushed to the parade, and were at once seized. 
Allen and Arnold were already at the quarters of Captain Delaplaine. 
the commander of the fort, demanding his surrender. The astonished 
British officer, with his clothes in his hand, asked Allen, in his bewil- 
derment, by what authority he demanded a surrender. " In the name 
of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress," replied Alien. 
Delaplaine, half dressed, with his frightened wife looking over his 
shoulder, surrendered. May 9th, 1775. The whole garrison became 
prisoners of war, but what was of more importance, this exploit gave 
America nearly two hundred cannon, and a large quantity of military 
stores of the utmost value to them. 

The next day Colonel Seth Warner took possession of Crown Point, 
which contained more ihan a hundred pieces of artillery. 

Arnold's troops hp/^' no?.- come up, and capturing a small schooner 
he sailed down the lake, and took Fort St. John, with the King's 
sloop of war, George III., and a number of batteaux. With part of 
the stores thus obtained he returned to Fort Ticonderoga. 



420 COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF WISELY CHOSEN. 

A kw undisciplined men had thus, in a moment, captured the forts 
which the French had so long held against all the power of England. 
The effect was tremendous. It roused enthusiasm, gave the Americans 
war-material, and prevented English operations against New York. 

On the day after the surrender of Ticonderoga, the Continental 
Congress met at Philadelphia. Peyton Randolph was chosen Presi- 
dent, and for Secretary they elected Charles Thomson, who held the 
important office during the whole period of the Revolution. As Ran- 
dolph's presence was necessary in Virginia, John Hancock, of Massa- 
chusetts, a merchant who had been prominent from the first on the 
side of Liberty, was chosen President. 

All felt that the time for conciliation was past, yet once more ad- 
dresses were framed. It was the last effort ; a justification, as it were, 
of what the}' were now to do as a government. 

Congress voted to put the colonies in a state of defense ; it ordered 
the enlistment of troops, the erection of forts, the purchase of arms, 
ammunition, and supplies. To meet this, it authorized the issue of 
paper money to the amount of three millions of dollars, inscribed 
" The United Colonies." Massachusetts had already called upon Con- 
gress to assume direction over the forces before Boston, and the Con- 
tinental Congress, as the national government, did not only this, but 
proceeded to select a commander-in-chief of the armies. From the 
outset George Washington, of Virginia, seemed most acceptable. He 
was nominated June 15th, and unanimously chosen. Never had 
choice been wiser. 

The next day "Washington returned thanks for the signal honor 
conferred upon him, and begged to decline receiving any pay for his 
services. All he asked was the payment of his expenses, and of these 



EVE OF AX IMPORTAXT BATTLE. 42 I 

he kept a strict account. Four Major Generals were chosen, Arte- 
Hias Ward, Israel Putnam, Philip Schuyler, and Charles Lee, while 
Seth Pomeroy, Eichard Montgomery, David Wooster, William Heath, 
Joseph Spencer, John Thomas, John Sullivan, and Nathaniel Greene, 
were chosen Brigadier Generals. 

Washington hastened his preparations, and, on the 21st of June, 
left Philadelphia to take command of the army in the field. 

An important battle had already been fought. Gage, shut up in 
Boston and unable to obtain any supplies from the country, resolved 
to occupy some of the hills around. The Americans, equally vigilant, 
resolved to defeat any such attempt. As the first rays of the morning 
lit up the bay and the adjacent shores, a sentry, pacing the deck of the 
Livel}'' man-of-war, saw on Breed's Hill the lines of a redoubt, which 
had sprung up like magic in the night ; while sturdy men were still 
plying pick and shovel, extending and strengthening these threatening 
works. The ship was at oijce all excitement, and the captain, sending 
a boat ashore to General Gage, opened fire. 

This work had been thrown up by a small bod}' of troops under 
Colonel Prescott, the veteran Gridley acting as engineer. It was 
now held by Prescott's regiment and a Connecticut detachment under 
Captain Knowlton, some of the force having already withdrawn. As 
the sun rose, every spot in the city from which the hill could be seen, 
was filled with eager spectators. From Copp's Hill and from the men- 
of-war came the occasional puffs of smoke and thunder of cannon, but 
there was no answer from the hill, where the work went steadily on. 
Then the English ships and batteries clustered together, and down 
through the streets of Boston to the Long Wharf, went, with steady 
tramp and all the glitter of burnished arras and regular equipments, 



422 THERE STOOD THE BRAVE FIFTEEN HUNDRED. 

two regiments of British troops, with grenadiers and light infantry 
leading the line ; similar bodies were moving down to the Battery and 
North Battery. 

They are at last all at the water's edge ; the barges are filled, Gene- 
rals Howe and Pigot, with their brilliant staffs, at the head. Now from 
the Lively, and the Somerset, and Falcon, there rained on the hill a 
perfect hurricane of balls and shells ; while floating batteries, and a 
transport with a man-of-war, commanded the Neck, ready to open fire. 

Amid the din and roar of this artillerj', the troops land on the 
east side of the peninsula, near the mouth of the Mj'stic. Prescot*'.- 
whose tall and manly form had been seen from the city on the 
breastwork during the hottest fire, understands the plan. His di- 
minished force, his imperfect works, make a defense of the hill hope- 
less ; to his joy, the English halt at the first rising ground, and begin 
to eat. His men have no food but what is in their knapsacks. The 
bai'ges move back to Boston. Howe asks more troops. Prescott throws 
Grridley, with his few field-pieces and Knowlton's men, towards the 
eneni}', with no defense but a fence, part of rails, and part of stone. 
A cheer tells his brave few that aid is at hand. Though General 
Ward thinks it only a feint, Colonel John Stark comes marching to the 
spot, with part of two regiments from his State. Where his practiced 
eye sees the greatest need, he draws up his men. Pomeroy and War- 
ren came as volunteers ; Putnam was there too. Thus stood the brave 
fifteen hundred. Howe sees Pitcairn land with fresh troops, and or- 
ders the Copp's Hill battery to fire on Charlestown. The shells soon set 
it in a blaze, and the Somerset, ere long to lie a wreck on Cape Cod, 
sends men to complete its destruction. The large and noble town is in 
one huge blaze, the steeples towering as great pyramids of fire. ! 



f 



AGAINST THREE THOUSAND ENGLISH VETERANS. 423 

It is half-past two. The Biiti.sli line is all activity. Howe addresses 
his men. Tlie ships and batteries keep up a tremendous cannonade, aud 
up the liill-side, tliroiigh the long grass, in the bright sunlight, move 
the three thousand veterans of England. Howe pushes toward the rail 
fence, Pigot moves on the breastwork. There all is silent. The enemy 
are within eight rods, when Prescott gives the word. A deadly volley 
bursts on the English line ; every shot was aimed and told ; nearly the 
whole front rank is down. For several minutes the irregular but dead- 
ly fire poured upon them. They break in dismay, and the splendid 
line rolls in disordered masses down the hill ; some to rush to the 
boats, others to halt at the word of command. 

Howe fares no better. From the rail fence comes a fire that sweeps 
whole ranks before it. The King's troops recoil, and down, down the 
slope they reel in confusion. 

The British officers prepare for another assault. Mere cautiously, 
the two bodies mount the deadly slopes. Again the silence is broken 
by a musket-fire as fatal as before ; but, nerved to it, the regulars press 
on till human nature can stand no more. Howe, almost alone, reaches 
the fence, with companies cut down to nine or ten men, and scarcely 
an officer by him. Again the British retreat ; Clinton hurries over 
from Copp's Hill ; Howe plants his cannon to rake the breastwork, 
and again a charge is made. 

Within the American lines the exhausted heroes stand ; weary, 
spent with hunger, toil, and fighting, manj' with not a grain of powder 
left. The breastwork is abandoned. A stand is made at the redoubt. 
A deadlj^ volley from it staggers the English line, but it moves on with 
fixed bayonets. Pitcairn falls as he enters the redoubt, which is now 
scaled on all sides, the Americans contesting the ground with the butt- 



4-4 THE ALMUST UXNUTICED HERO. 

ends of their muskets, and even with stones. Prescott at last gives the or- 
der to retreat, and the little band, sadly thinned, eut their way through, 
ivuuwlton and Stark then follow. A tiery ordeal is before them. Bunk- 
ers Hill and Charlestown Neck are swept by the enemy's cannon, and 
as they hnrry over the Neck the loss is deadly, worse than in the fight. 
Eut at last the}' are in the camp, and throw themselves down to rest. 

England has won one little hill on American soil, at the cost of over 
a thousand killed and wounded — more than double the loss of the 
Americans. But the patriots mourned the death of General Warren, 
the head of the Provincial Government of Massachusetts, a man of 
energy, eloquence, and power. 

Joseph Warren, whose name long stood next to that of Washington 
in the affections of America, was born at Roxburj- in 1740, the son of 
a fanner, who died when Joseph was only fifteen. After graduating 
at Harvard, young Warren studied medicine and soon attained emi- 
nence. He was one of the earliest Sons of Liberty, and was one of 
the real leaders of the popular movement. He was President of the 
Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, and, four days before his death, 
was appointed Major General, although he never assumed any com- 
mand. He was shot in the head just as he was leaving the trenches, 
and was buried on the field by the enemy. 

Colonel William Prescott, the almost unnoticed hero of Bunker's 
Hill, was born in Groton in 1726, his father and grandfather having 
been members of the Council of Massachusetts. He served against 
Louisburg, and won the battle of Bunker's Hill. At a later date, he 
held General Howe in check for six days, at Throgg's Neck. His 
merit was overlooked, however, and he soon after retired to private 
life. 



CANADA A SOURCE OF ANXIETY. 425 

On die 3d of July, Washington, who had hastened forward, reached 
the forces and took command of the Continental Army. His first care 
was to organize and discipline it for actual service. It was posted on 
the heights around Boston, forming a line from Roxbury on the right, 
to the Mystic River on the left, a distance of twelve miles. 

Gage held Boston, Bunker s Hill, and Charlestown Neck, with a fine 
army of eleven thousand men : but the city, cut off from all supplies 
from the country in midsummer, was very unhealthy. 

Neither party for a time made any movement, Washington from 
want of powder and a wish to organize his army. Gage from inability 
to see where he could strike an effective blow. 

Congress, which had now received delegates from Georgia, was try- 
ing to win the Canadians and Indians, and, but for the old religious 
animosity in the colonies to the faith of the Canadians, would have 
gained them. The Johnson famih', who possessed great power with the 
Six Nations, induced that powerful body to take up the hatchet for the 
English. 

Franklin, who had labored so earnestly in England for the colonies, 
now returned and became Postmaster General, aiding by his counsels 
the patriotic movement. 

Canada was now, as in early days, a source of anxiety. The colonists 
had never felt safe while it was in the hands of France, so now 
they could not feel easy while it remained under the power of 
Great Britain. The liberties given by England to the French Cana- 
dians had excited the complaints of the older colonies^ yet now they 
wished to win these Canadians. An address was prepared, offering 
them the same privileges they enjoyed, but this was too late ; too much 
hostility had been shown to them, to induce the Canadians as a body 



4^6 MONTGOMERY PRESSES OX TO QUEBEC. 

to join the American cause, although numbers actually took part witb 
It, Congress therefore determined, as the first great movement of the 
war, to seize Cauada. Two expeditions were prepared ; one, under 
(J-eiierals Schuyler and Montgomery, was to move down Lake Cham- 
plain ; the other could not go by sea as in colonial days, for America 
had no fleet to cope with the English navy. The expedition was there- 
fore sent through the wilderness of Maine. 

Schuyler falling sick, General Montgomery, with about two thousand 
mull from New York and New England, laid siege to Fort St. John, the 
first British post in Canada. Fort Chambly was taken and some 
slight advantages gained, though Sir Guy Carleton, the British com- 
mander, captured Colonel Ethan Allen and a small party which was 
boldly advancing on Montreal. 

Carleton raised a force to relieve Fort St. John, but Montgomery held 
tlic Sorel River, and the British commander, finding the defense hope- 
less, fled from Montreal. Major Preston, commander of Fort St. John, 
on hearing that no relief could be expected from Carleton, surrendered. 

The British general fled down the St. Lawrence, but his party was 
stopped by an American force, and though Carleton managed to escape 
in the disguise of a Canadian habitant, the rest of his party surren- 
dered. 

Montgomery occupied Montreal, but his army was thinned by deser- 
tion. He could not, however, hesitate. His only course was to push 
on to Quebec, with a force of only three hundred men, hoping there to,' 
be joined by the force with which General Arnold was to march through'' 
the woods of Maine. That energetic commander took the field about the 
middle of September, and with an endurance and hardihood almost 
unparalleled in history, pushed on through every obstacle. By boats, 



DETERMINED TO STURM LOWER (TUEr.EC. 427 

wiiere possible ; crossing nolcsstlian seventeen portages at the frequent 
nipids ; marching through almost unbroken forest, Arnoid pushed bravely 
on. Enos, his second in command, deserted him with part of the force, 
but the diminished party, enfeebled by sickness, with scanty food and 
little ammunition, kept on to attack the most powerful citadel in North 
America. 

Though winter was fast closing around them, they went barefooted 
for days together, exposed frequently by day and night to drenching 
storms. Many sank down stiffening in cold and death. They ran out of 
provisions, and were kept from absolute starvation b}' eating their dogs, 
gnawing their leather shoes and belts. Yet, on the 8th of November, 1775, 
they reached Point Levi, and crossing at Wolfe's Cove, climbed to the 
Plains of Abraham. The little army, drawn up to attack that city of Que- 
bec and its garrison of eighteen hundred men, was only some five hundred 
effective men. A flag sent to summon the city was fired upon, and Arnold 
had no alternative but to await the coming of Montgomery, to whom he 
sent dispatches. On the 1st day of December, in the midst of the Ijitter 
winter weather, the two little armies met. Through driving snow- 
storms, they marched on Quebec, and began the siege, rearing batteries 
of snow and ice. But their guns made no impression on the stout 
walls. At last it was determined to storm the lower town. 

On the last day of the year, in the thick gloom of the early morn- 
ing, while the snow was falling fast and drifting heavil}*, Montgomery, 
at the head of his New York troops, pushed on along the shore from 
Wolfe's Cove. Under Cape Diamond stood the first obstacle, a block- 
house commanded by Captain Barnsfare, with a few sailors and militia. 
A palisade checked Montgomery's approach. This removed, the gal- 
lant general led his men to the assault, when a volley of grape-shot 



428 THE FAILURE TO CAPTURE THE TOWN. 

swept the pass. Moutgomery fell dead, and his aides-de-camp were 
cut down, with many of his men. The rest retreated. 

Arnold, on the other side, in assaulting the first barrier, was badly 
wounded, but Morgan, taking command, led his men on. At the second 
barrier a desperate tight ensued, but American valor triumphed. They 
did not long enjoy the advantage, for Carleton, relieved by the repulse 
of Montgomery, sent a force to take Morgan in the rear, and his wliojr 
force of four hundred and tweuty-six men were compelled to sur- 
render. 

Arnold drew off the remains of the two forces, and for a time kept 
up a blockade of the river, but after a while, the urgent necessities of 
the States made it impossible to send any force to Canada, and the 
army fell back in a wretched condition to Crown Point. 

Montgomery, the hero of the campaign, a noble-hearted Irish gentle- 
man, was greatly regretted by the Americans, and even the enemy re- 
spected him. He was honorably buried by General Carleton, but in 
1818, his remains were removed to New York city, where those who 
stop a moment in their busy walk along Broadway, may see his monu- 
ment in the front wall of St. Paul's Church. 

Daring the operations against Canada, Washington had held the Brit- 
ish force in Boston, unable to take offensive measures for want of pow- 
der, and the coming and going of his troops. 

American cruisers captured supplies intended for Boston, but the 
English fleet bombarded Falmouth, now Portland, Maine, reducing to 
ashes that fine town, with its four hundred houses and stores. New- 
port, and indeed everj^ seaport, was threatened with a similar fate. 

Some people in America still had hopes that England would now re- 
lent and prefer giving the colonies their just rights to embarking in 



THE TORIES AND THE BRITISH. 429 

a long, and perhaps disastrous war. Little did they know the stubborn 
character of George III., or the men around him. The Parliament at 
its next session dissipated all such hopes. They resolved to send 
twenty-five thousand men to crush America. As England then could 
not well raise so large a force, they determined to hire them on the Con- 
tinent. Eussia had just been at war with Turkey, and it was proposed 
to hire her brutal soldiery, but the British Government finally concluded 
a bargain with the Grand Duke of Hesse Cassel, hiring nearly eightees 
thousand men, at exorbitant rates. Though gathered from all parts, 
these men were in America always called Hessians. 

By a refined cruelty, a law was passed for seizing all American 
ships at sea, confiscating the cargoes, and forcing all on board to serve 
in the British navy. 

In the colonies, English rule was virtually at an end. Lord Dun- 
more, Governor of Virginia, was a fugitive on board a man-of-war 
plundering and destroying the colony. Norfolk felt the full force ot 
his wrath, and was utterly laid in ruins. 

Governor Wright, of Georgia, was also a fugitive on an English ship, 
as was Governor Tryon of New York. That colony abounded, how. 
ever in adherents to the British cause, who were now called Tories. 
The Johnsons, with the Highlanders settled in the Mohawk Valley, and 
the Six Nations were all on the English side, and soon openly took the 
field to co-operate with the British forces in Canada. Sir John Johnson 
raised two battalions of Eoyal Greens, and Brant, the famous Mohawk 
chief, rallied his savage braves to destroy his old white friends and 
neighbors. 

Early in 1776, Washington resolved to occupy Dorchester Heights, 
and force Howe to evacuate Boston. On the night of the 4th of March, 



430 FIFTEEN HUNDRED TORIES FOLLOW THE ENGLISH FROM BOSTON. 

a furious cannonade was kept up. Bombs foil into all parts of the city, 
and the British garrison were kept bus}' in extinguishing the flames. 
When da}' dawned, the English, to their dismay, found Dorchester 
Heights crowned by two forts, sufficiently advanced to shelter those 
within from musketry. 

The English admiral scanned them, and declared that if the Ameri- 
cans were not dislodged he could no longer remain in the harbor with- 
out risking his whule fleet. 

Howe saw no alternative but to attack the works. His recollection of 
Bunker Hill did nut make him sanguine of success, yet he nerved him- 
self to it. But a furious wind sprang up, and Lord Percy, who was to 
land on the flats near the Point, could not embark. Yiulent storms set 
in, which prevented Howe's operations, though they did not prevent 
Washington from strengthening his new works. Colonel Mifflin pre- 
|)ared a new weapon — hogsheads of sand and stones to roll down on the 
euemv, so as to break and disorder his lines in charging up the hill. 

Howe was in a terrible dilemma. He had not transports enough t4 
carry off his troops at once. If he embarked only a part the rest 
would be captured, so he resorted to threats of destroying the city if 
he were not allowed to retire peaceably. Washington, to save Boston, 
remained a quiet spectator of the retreat of the English. The city pre- 
sented a melancholy sight. All was havoc and confusion, for the sol- 
dieiy, in spite of orders, committed a great deal of ravage. Nor was 
it only the army that departed. Fifteen hundred Tories, with thcii 
families, and such valuables as they could carry, had no choice but te 
follow the soldiers of the crown whose cause they had espoused. Thus, 
the city was full of disorder, grief, and misery. At last, on the 17th 
of March, all were on board. 



" HOSTIBUS PRIMO FUGATIS." 43 1 

The rear guard was scarcely out of the cit^', when Gleneral Washing- 
tou eutered with colors displayed, drums beating, and every mark of 
victory and triumph, amid the shouts and cheers of the patriotic citi- 
zens, who had so long Ijcroically suffered the grinding tyranny of a 
foreign arm}', the most hateful scourge of a free people. 

Artillery, ammunition, and horses, were left by the English, and 
soon after British vessels, ignorant of the fall of the city, eutered and 
were captured, giving many soldiers as prisoners, and, the best prize 
of all, fifteen hundred barrels of powder. 

America was filled with exultation at this long desired result. She 
was free from the hated Bi-Jtisli troops. Nowhere in the thirteen colo- 
nies had the army of England a foot-hold. Congress caused a fine 
medal to be struck. It bears on one side a fine head of Washington, 
with the inscription, GeorCxIO Washington. Supuemo Dvci Exerci- 
TVVM, Adsertori Libertatis, Comitia Americana. — The American 
Congress to George Washington, Commander-in-chief of the Forces, 
Assertor of Liberty. The other side represented Washington and his 
staff on the heights overlooking the city and harljor of Boston. Be- 
low, troops are marching into the city, others marching out, or in 
boats, seeking the English fleet. The inscription is, Hostibus Primo 
Fugatis. — The enenn' for the first time put to flight. Bo.stonium Re- 
cuperatum, XVII. Martii, MDCCLXXVI. — Boston recovered, March 
IT, 1776. 

Wiishington was not, however, one to be deluded by false hopes. 
New York, with its strong Tory element, would welcome the British 
forces in spite of the devoted Sons of Liberty, and the English Govern- 
ment would make a strong effort to take and hold the cit3% which, by 
the Hudson River, commanded communication with Canada. 



432 THE TORIES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 

"Washington had scarcely entered Boston, before he despatched the 
main body of his armj- to New York, leaving General Ward to fortify 
Boston, which the English might attempt to molest, but would not at- 
tempt to occupy again. 

Though the evacuation of Bostoa left no organized British force on 
American soil, there were many sympathizers with the English Govern- 
ment, who were ready to take up arms. 

The Highlanders of North Carolina were the first to take the field. 
Early in 1776 a large force assembled under Donald McDonald, whom 
Martin, the Royal Governor of the colony, had appointed a Brigadier 
General. He raised his standard at Cross Creek, now Fayetteville, 
and prepared to overrun the State. An English fleet was expected, 
and it was confidently hoped that all opposition would be crushed. 

General James Moore, a true patriot and splendid officer, resolved 
to defeat this well-laid plan. By one stratagem and another, he held 
McDonald in inaction till he had assembled the militia. With these 
he occupied important points, so as to weave a complete web 
around McDonald. 

Moore Creek Bridge was the only point where the Tory saw any pros- 
pect of breaking through Moore's line. Upon this his force marched on 
the 27th of February, "commanded by Captain Macleod. The bagpipes 
played the tunes that had so long cheered on the Scotch rushing to 
battle, and they counted on an easy victory over the Americans. 
They came down in gallant style to the bridge, beyond which Colo- 
nel Lillington and Caswell had thrown up an intrenchment after re- 
moving most of the planking of the bridge. 

In spite of this the Highlanders attempted to cross on the timbers, 
but, under the deadly fir^ of the Americans. Captains Macleod and 



CONGRESS TROCEEDS TO VIGOROUS MEASURES. 433 

Campbell were cut down, and the whole force thrown into confusion. 
They retreated with the loss of thirty killed and wounded : but there 
was no escape. The North Carolina nunute-niea closed around them ; 
McDonixld and eight hundred ana tifty of his men were taken prisoners, 
disarmed, and discharged, while all their fine war material and fifteen 
thousand pounds sterling, in gold, fell into the hands of the patriots. 

A few days before, the Cove of Cork was a scene of activity. A 
fleet had gathered there to take on board nearly seven full regiments 
of well-drilled troops, under command of Lord Cornwallis. The fleet was 
commanded b}' an able Adnjiral, Sir Peter Parker, and it was intend- 
ed by thisdisplay of force to crush the patriots of the Southern States. 
When, in Ma}', the fleet appeared off Cape Fear, and heard of the 
disastrous defeat of McDonald, General Clinton issued a proclamation 
ui'ging the people to return to their duty ; but it was too late. 

Congress, at Philadelphia, after a consultation with General Wash- 
ington, had proceeded to vigorous measures. The colonies were urged 
to stop all acts in the King's name, and to organize suitable govera- 
ments by their own authority. Rigorous measures were also adopted 
in regard to Tories, who were to be compelled to declare their senti- 
ments openly and depart, or submit to the new government and re- 
main. 

The advice had been generally followed, and all signs of British 
power ceased. 

Anxious to strike a blow in the South before proceeding to New 
York, where they were to join General Howe, Clinton resolved to at- 
tack Charleston. 

On the 1st of June intelligence reached that city of the approach of 
the British naval and military force. Preparations were at once made 



434 SOUTH CAROLINA MEETS THE FOE. 

to defend the citv. North Carolina had just crushed the first armed 
effort of British sympathizers ; Soutli Carolina was now to meet the 
first attack of England's veteran army and navy. The President of 
tiie Convention issued orders which were heartily carried out, and 
General Charles Lee, sent South for the defense of Charleston and 
the Southern department, gave order and system to the whole defense. 
On Sullivan's island a little fort of palmetto logs was thrown up to 
hold the channel. On one bastion floated the Union flag, on the other 
the crescent flag of South Carolina. Its little garrison was composed 
of some three hundred and fifty men, of the Second South Carolina reg- 
iment, and a company of artillery, all commanded by Colonel William 
Moultrie, who had done good service in Indian wars. Without the 
fort lay another little force under Colonel Thompson. 

The splendid spectacle of an English fleet coming into action was 
soon presented to their eyes, as vessel after vessel c^me up and took 
position, while, from the transports, troops were landed on Long Isl- 
and, which was separated from that occupied b}' the Americans only by 
a passage generally fordable. The thunders of cannon and mortar 
soon rang out, as a tremendous fire opened on the fort, but though 
shells came bursting within, the cannon balls sank harmlessly into the 
soft iialmetto logs. Then the Sphynx, Acteon, and Syren, were or- 
dered to run up between the island and the city. They ran on a shoal. 
Two got off, indeed, but the Acteon stuck fast, and finding it impossible 
to get off, or endure the fire of the fort, her officers and crew abandon- 
ed her the next day, after setting her on fire. She did not blow up, 
however, before the bold garrison sent off a detachment which secured 
mu(;h valuable property from her, and fired some of her guns on the 
English admiral's ship. 



INDEPENDEXCE THE CRY OF THE TATRIOTS. 435 

So fierce a fire did they return to the fleet, that their ammunition 
was nearly exhausted, when General Lee managed to send them a fresh 
supply. Then the firing on both sides was renewed, and kei)t up till 
nearly ten o'clock ; the English troops that landed on Long Island had 
been mere spectators of the scene, unable to cross the deep passage to 
Sullivan's Island. 

The English fleet slipped its cables, and quietly dropped down, leav- 
ing the Americans victorious. 

In this glorious defense of Fort Moultrie, Sergeant Jasper made his 
name immortal. The South Carolina flag, riddled by the British fire, 
was at last shot away, and fell outside the works. Jasper jumped over 
amid the hottest fire, and securing the crescent flag of his State, coolly 
fastened it to a sponge-staff, and leisurely planted it in its old position. 

The next da}". Sir Peter Parker, considering the damage done his 
vessels, which were riddled by balls, with masts disabled and shot away, 
and rigging cut to pieces, and a large number of his officers and men 
killed and wounded, thought it his wisest course to give up the attempt. 

The great question now engaging the public mind in America was 
their future government ; the authority of England had been finally set 
aside ; no longer were laws enacted or courts held in the name of 
George III., yet they had established no new government that other 
nations could reeognize. Independence was now the cry of the patri- 
ots. They felt that they must announce to the world that they were 
an independent people, with a government of their own choice. In 
April, North Carolina instructed her delegates in Congress to concur 
with those of the other States in a declaration of Independence. The 
next month, the Virginia Convention instructed her delegates to pro- 
pose the great measure. Massachusetts, by a formal election, direct- 



436 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE ADOPTED. 

ed her delegates to vote for it : Rhode Island did the same. With 
all this authority in favor of the step, the wise statesmen of the 
Continental Congress did not move hastily. At last, ou the 7th of 
June, 177G, Richard Henry Lee, of A'irginia, introduced a resolution 
declaring that the United Colonies are and ought to be free and inde- 
pendent States ; that thej' are absolved from all allegiance to the Brit- 
ish crown, and that all political connection between them and the state 
of Great Britain is and ought to be totally dissolved. 

All the members of that noble body were not yet prepared for this 
decisive step. Some still clung to hopes of reconciliation, and the ties 
which bound them to the country of their forefathers. The delegates 
of Penusj'lvania and Maryland received formal instructions to oppose 
indepeudence. A long and earnest debate followed. Lee, with John 
Adams, argued most eloquently in favor of independence, while Dick- 
inson, a pure patriot, whose Farmer's Letters had stirred every Ameri- 
can heart, spoke earnestly against it. 

The resolution was finally postponed to the 1st day of July, and 
a committee appointed to prepare a Declaration of Independence. 
This committee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin 
Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston. 

Meanwhile, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and New Jersey instructed 
their delegates to vote for the great measure ; Maryland finall}^ adopted 
the same course. 

Ou the 1st of July, the resolution was adopted by Congress, all the 
colonies voting for it except Delaware and Pennsylvania. 

The committee submitted the Declaration of Independence drawn 
up by Jefferson. It was discussed, and, with some amendments, was 
passed on the 4th of July, 1776, at two o'clock in the afternoon. 



AND SIGNED BY EVERY DELEGATE HUT ONE. 437 

All day long, Philadelphia had been in a state of wild excitement, 
and a dense crowd had stood around Carpenters' Hall awaiting the re- 
sult of the deliberations. All day long, a man had stood beside the bell 
in the steeple — the old bell, still preserved with its inscription, as 
if placed there by Providence. A boy stood below to tell him when 
to ring, but the hours went by, and the old man doubted. At last 
a shout told the result, and the boy, clapping his hands, cried 
out: "Ring! ring!" and the old bell rang out the birth of a 
nation. 

Copies, which had been printed, were posted up, and crowds gathered 
to read them, while from the steps of the old hall John Nixon, in his 
stentorian voice, read it aloud, amid the cheers and plaudits of the 
people. 

The night was lighted up bj^ boniires and illuminations, while the 
thunder of cannon rang out, and the quiet city of William Penn was 
wild with such an excitement as had never before been witnessed in its 
staid streets. 

That day the Declaration was signed by John Hancock, Prec^i-^ent of 
the Continental Congress ; but it was ordered to be engrossed, or care- 
full}' copied out, and signed by all the members. Every member ex- 
cept Dickinson affixed his name. Some, not present on that day, 
signed it subsequently', the last being Matthew Thornton of New 
Hampshire, who, in November, closed the list of signers, numbering in 
all fifty-six. 

This great ]5aper, the Magna Charta of America, should be known 
by every child of the republic, committed to memory in early youth, 
that its principles and spirit may guide him through life, teaching him 
to love liberty, and respect tbe liberty of others. 



438 THE IMMORTAL DOCUMENT. 

A DECLARATIOlir OF THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TTNITED STATES, IN 

CONGRESS ASSEMBLED. 

When, in the course of humnn events, it becomes necessary for one 
people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with 
another, and to assume, among the powers of the earth, the separate 
and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God 
entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that 
they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. 

We hold these truths to be self-evident — that all men are created 
equal ; that the}' are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable 
rights ; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 
That, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, de- 
riving their just powers from the consent of the governed ; that when- 
ever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is 
the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new 
government, laying its foundations on such principles, and organizing 
its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect 
their safet\' and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that gov- 
ernments long established should not be changed for light and tran- 
sient causes ; and, accordingly, all experience hath .'^liown, thnt man- 
kind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to 
right themselves bj' abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. 
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariabh' 
the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute des- 
potism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, 
and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been 
the patient sufferance of these colonies, and such is now the necessity 
which constrains them to alter their former sj'Stems of government. 



REPEATED INQUIRIES AND USURPATIONS. 439 

The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of re- 
peated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the estab- 
lishment of an absolute tyninny over these States. To prove this, lef 
facts be submitted to a candid world. 

Ho has refused his assent to laws the most wholesome and necessary 
for the ])ublic good. 

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and press- 
ing importance, unless suspended in their operations till his assent 
should be obtained ; and, when so suspended, he has utterly neglected 
to attend to them. 

He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large 
districts of people, unless those people would rclinquis-h the right of 
representation in the Legislature — a right inestimable to them, and 
formidable to tyrants only. 

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncom- 
fortable, and distant from the repository of their public records, lor 
the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures. 

He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, ibr opposing, 
with manly firmness, his invasions on the rights of the people. 

He luis refused, for a long time afler such dis.'^olntioiis, to cause 
others to be elected, whereby the legislative |)()W(>rs, incapable of anni- 
hilation, have returned to the people at laige for their exercise ; the 
State remaining, in the mean time, exposed to all the dangers of inva- 
sions from without, and convulsions within. 

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States ; for 
that purpose obstructing the laws for ihe naturalization of foreigners ; 
refusing to pass others to encour;ige their migration hither, and rais- 
ing the conditions of new appropriations of lands. 



440 A LIST OF ABUSES AGAINST LIBERTY. 

He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his as- 
sent to laws for establishing judiciary powers. 

He has made judges dependent on his will alone for the tenure of 
their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. 

He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms 
of officers to harass our people and eat out their substance. 

He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies, without 
the consent of our Legislatures. 

He has affected to render the military independent of, and superior 
to the civil power. 

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreiga 
to our constitutions, and unacknowledged by our laws ; giving assent 
to their acts of pretended legislation : 

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us ; 

For protecting them, by a mock trial, from punishment for any mur- 
ders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these States ; 

For cuttmg off our trade with all parts of the world ; 

For imposing taxes on us without our consent; 

For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury ; 

For transporting us beyond seas, to be tried for pretended offenses ; 

For abolishiug the free system of English laws in a neighboring 
province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging 
its boundaries, so as to render it at once an example and fit instru- 
ment for introducing the same absolute rule into these colonies ; 

For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, 
and altering, fundamentally, the forms of our governments ; 

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves in- 
vested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. 



"DEATH, DESOI-ATIOX AND TYRANNY." 44 1 

He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his pro- 
tection, and waging war against us. 

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, 
and destroyed the lives of our people. 

He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries, 
to complete the works of death, desolation, and tyranny already be- 
gun, with circumstances of cruelty and pertidy scarcely paralleled in 
the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized 
nation. 

He has constrained our fellow-citizens, taken captive on the high 
seas, to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners 
of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves b}' their hands. 

He has excited domestic insurrection among us, and has endeavor- 
ed to bring on the inhabitants of our fi'ontiers the merciless Indian 
savages, whose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruc- 
tion of all ages, sexes, and conditions. 

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress 
in the most humble terms ; our repeated petitions have been answered 
only by repeated injury. A prince whose character is thus marked by 
ever}' act which may define a tyrant, is uniit to be the ruler of a free 
people. 

Nor have we been wanting in our attentions to our British brethren. 
We have warned them, from time to time, of attempts by their legis- 
lature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have re- 
minded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement 
here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and 
we have conjured them, by the ties of our common kindred, to disa- 
vow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connee- 



442 "OUR LIVES, OUR FORTUNES AND OUR SACRED HONOR. 

tions and correspondence. Tliey, too, have been deaf to the voice of 
justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the 
necessity which denounces our separation, and liold them as we hold 
the rest of mankind — enemies in war — in peace, iriends. 

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, 
in general Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the 
world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and by the au- 
thority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and de- 
clare that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and 
independent States ; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the 
British crown, and that all political connection between them and the 
state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved ; and that, 
as free and independent States, they have full power to levy war, con- 
clude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and do all other 
acts and things which independent States may of right do. And for 
the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection 
of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our 
fortunes, and our sacred honor. 

Expresses carried the Declaration from town to town. Everywhere 
it was hailed with joy. It was read in churches and public gatherings ; 
in the camp and at the fireside. 

After the evacuation of Boston by the English forces under Gen- 
eral Howe, and their departure to Halifax, Washington felt that New 
York would be attacked. After sending on a part of the army, under 
General Putnam, he followed with all his available force, and when he 
had laid his plans before Congress, began to prepare for the defense of 
that important city. Congress voted to reinforce his array with thir- 
teen thousand militia from the northern colonies, and ten thousand 



THE DECLARATION HAILED WITH JOV. 443 

more from Pennsj'lvania, Maryland, and Delaware. The approaches 

to tlie city, by the North and East Rivers, were defended by strong in- 
treuehineuts. Siuikeu vessels and other obstnidioiis were placed iu 
the river, and cliains placed across where practicable. Troops, nnder 
Generals Greene and Sullivan, were placed uu Long Island to prevent 
the enemy's approach in that way, and the army was protected by a 
series of woi'ks thrown up around Brooklyn. 

Such was the position of affairs, when, on the 9th of July, Washing- 
ton received at Head-Quarters, No. 1 Broadway, in tiie city of New 
York, the Declaration of Independence. At six o'clock that evening 
it was read bv his order at the head of each brigade, and was velcomed 
by the loud huzzas of the troops. The people, led by the Sons of 
Libert}', received it with tiie wildest enthusiasm, and the}' rushed dowa 
to the Bowling Green, where stood a leaden equestrian statue of 
George III., richly gilt, and still bright, for it had been erected only 
six years before. Ropes were fastened to this effigy of the monarch, 
whose reign in America had ceased, and it was soon b}- sturdy hands 
leveled in the dust, and hacked in pieces, to be melted up and run 
into bullets for the use of the army. 

The Declaration was read from the steps of Faneuil Hall, by Colonel 
Crafts, on tiie ITtli, and at its close the immense crowd raised a loud 
hurrah, which was kei)t up till it was drowned in the thunders of cannon. 

At Charleston, the peojile gathered under the branches of a wide- 
spreading live oak, the famous Liberty Tree, afterwards cnt down by 
Sir Henry Clinton, and an expedition against Florida was immediately 
planned. From North to South, there was but one sentiment, one re- 
v.'Ive. 

Every sign of royal power, the King's arms, crowns, and emblems of 



444 "I'l'^ STRUGGLE FOR MOW YORK BEGUN. 

monarchy were at once demolished, and names were changed to bury 
them in oblivion. 

The various States then proceeded to alter their old charters, cr adopt 
new constitutions for their future government. The form of govern- 
ment in Connecticut and Rbode Island was so democratic, that it re- 
quired no change. In this work of reorganization. New Hampshire 
and New Jersey led the way, having adopted constitutions before the 
Declaration of Independence, while Massachusetts, moving slowly, did 
not complete her work until 1779. 

A great struggle was now to take place at New York. On the 29th 
of June, 1776, General Howe arrived at Sandy Hook, with ships and 
transports, bearing his army, strengthened in numbers, military stores, 
and material. The very day that New York was exulting in the Dec- 
laration of Independence, and demolishing the statue of the King, Howe 
landed nine thousand men at the Quarantine ground on Staten Island. 
They encamped on the heights, and the flag of England was raised 
again on our soil. Tories flocked to his standard from all parts. 
Those in New York city formed a plot to capture Washington, and 
give him up to General Howe. Some of Washington's guards were 
so base as to be bought up by British gold to betray their commander, 
but the plot was discovered, many arrested, and one of the most 
guilty hung. 

In a few days after Howe's landing on Staten Island, another fleet 
entered New York Bay. It was Lord Howe, bringing another army 
and supplies. On the transports, and on Staten Island, were now thirty 
thousand Bi'itish and Hessian troops. 

On the 22d of August, four thousand men were thrown over to 
Long Island, and landed at Gravesend. The rest of the army and ar- 



A SERIES OF SKIRMISHES. 445 

tillery soon followed, the Americans having no fleet to command the 

bay. 

Tlie two armies were now face to face. Unfortunately, at this criti- 
cal moment. General Greene, who commanded the American lines on 
Long Island, fell sick, and he was replaced by the aged but now inconi 
petent General Putnam. In spite of Washington's orders, he neglecle . 
to guard important passes. Clinton perceived the negligence. On (he 
26th, de Heister and his Hessians pushed up to Flatbush, Corn-.fallis 
to Flatland. The post at Bedford, left entirely unguarded, wa.o seized 
and occupied by Sir Henry Clinton, during the night, whilf Putnam, 
deluded by Grant, sent off General Sterling to oppose that British gen- 
eral, who was advancing from the Narrows, and Sullivan was ordered 
up to strengthen the force in front of the Hessians. 

Clinton, securing the pass, soon scattered the American forces there, 
and gained the rear of Sullivan's line. While Heister was pressing 
them hard in front, Clinton suddenly assailed their rear. Hemmed in 
between the two divisions, the Americans fought desperately, continu- 
ing the unequal contest till noon, when the survivors, seeing the strug- 
gle hopeless, surrendered. 

Lord Stirling had held Grant in check till Cornwallis approached. 
To secure his retreat he attacked Cornwallis so gallantly at Gowanus, 
that he would have effected his retreat had not de Heister appeared ; 
and Stirling, with part of his force completely surrounded, was com- 
pelled to surrender, though the remainder of his troops, with consider- 
able loss, crossed a creek and marsh and escaped. 

The battle was a series of skirmishes of detached bodies fighting 
against aii enemy three times their number, with no able general di- 
recting the whole movement of the array. 



44^^ THE CRITICAL MUMENT FOR AMERICA. 

The army of the United States lost a thousand prisoners, and about 
two hundred in killed and wounded. The English loss was about four 
hundred. 

This was a terrible disaster to the new country. Nearly twelve 
hundred of the flower of the array was lost, with two good generals, 
and the rest of the force on Long Island was in imminent danger. 

Howe, encamped before the American works, prepared to attack 
them next day with the aid of the fleet. 

Washington had hastened to the spot, and saw Howe's error in not at- 
tacking his lines at once. The morning of the 28th dawned, but a dense 
fog covered the scene. Washington brought up fresh troops and kept 
up a constant skirmishing, till he saw the English fleet preparing to 
move. Still protected by the fog, he gathered all the boats around 
Brooklyn and New York, and while the enemy, though so near, were 
utterh' unsuspicious of the movement, Washington evacuated his lines. 
Regiment after regiuKut passed over ; Washington and his staff, in the 
saddle all night, remaining till the last company embarked. Then 
they too crossed, and the fog, which had in the hands of Providence 
so protected their retreat, lifted. The English entered the deserted 
American lines, then galloped down to the shore of the East River 
only to see the last American boats reaching the New York side. 

Howe was thunderstruck at thus being deprived of the fruit of his 
victory, the certain capture of the whole force. 

The effect of the battle of Long Island was disastrous and almost 
fatal to the cause of Liberty. Soldiers deserted by hundreds ; whole 
regiments vanished , officers resigned in disgust. 

It was a critical moment. Admiral and General Howe had come with 
power to treat with the Americans. They had already sought to open 



THE DEATH OF THE YOUNG PATRIOT. 447 

negotiations with General Washington, but as their letter was address- 
ed simply to George "Washington, Esqr., and when this was re- 
fused, to George Washington, Esquire, etc., etc., etc., the Commander 
of the American Forces refused to receive it, or any other communica- 
tion that did not recognize his ranlv. He gave Adjutant General Pat- 
terson clearl\' to understand that the effort of the Howes was useless ; 
they had simp!}' power to grant pardon ; the Americans had done 
nothing for which they could accept any pardon. 

After tlie battle of Long Island, Howe thought that Congress might 
not be as firm as General Washington, so he despatched General Sul- 
livan, a prisoner in his hands, to offer to Congress a renewal of t;:;e over- 
tures for peace. Congress api)ointed Franklin, John Adams, and Edward 
Rutledge a committee to wait upon the Howes. They met on Staten 
Island, but the Howes had no authority except to receive submission to 
the crown, while Congress would listen to no terms but independence. 

W-jshington was now unable to hold New York cit}-, and a retreat 
becu'.ie imperative. To find out exactly the plans of the enemy, he 
sen^ the brave Connecticut patriot, Nathan Hale, inside the enemy's 
lines. As he was returning; to Washino;ton with the information he 
was captured, tried, and hung as a spy. Every brutality was shown to 
him by the Provost-marshal. He was not allowed a clergyman or 
even a Bible, and the letters which with his dying hand he penned to 
his mother and sisters were brutally destroj'ed. Hale, the martyr, 
met his fate with unflinching courage. His last words were, " I only 
regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." This wanton 
cruelty was long remembered by the Americans as a justification for 
the utmost severity toward the enemy under similar circumstances. 

Howe, at last, with his ships in the North and East River sweeping 



44S washinx.ton's burst of axger. 

New York island with their fire, began to land his troops at Kip's 
Bay. The American troops posted there to oppose his landing, fled 
without striking a blow, and Wasbington, alter a vain attempt to rally 
them, dashed his hat on the ground, exclaiming: "Are these the men 
with whom I am to defend America ? " So reckless was he of his own 
safety that he would have been taken prisoner had not his aides seized 
the reins of his horse and hurried him away. 

Washington now retreated up the island, and part of his army would 
have been captured bad not the English halted at Murray Hill, wher^" 
Mrs. Robert Murray purposely delayed the English officers. 

General Howe occupied New York city, to his intense satisfaction, 
but that very night a fii'e broke out, which destroyed upwards of a 
thousand buildings, and nearly laid the whole city in ashes. Each 
party accused the other of having set the cit}' on (ire, and several per- 
sons were hung on the spot (<u suspicion. 

As Washington fell back the English advanced, but a brisk action 
took place on Harlem jilains, in which Colonel Knowlton drove an 
?.n5!:l:sh detachment back to their lines with great spirit, losing his life 
in his gallant charge. 

Washington then evacuated New York island except Fort Wa.shing- 
ton, where he left a garrison. Howe pursued him, held in check for a 
time at Tlirogg's Neck by Prescott, the hero of Bunker's Hill. At 
White Plains the two armies again came face to face ; Chatterton's Hill, 
on Washington's extreme right, was held by General McDougall, with 
about sixteen hundred men. After some skirmishing Howe at last 
attacked this position with three colunmsof his best troops, comprising 
thirteen regiments. The American troops, except a body of militia, 
fought with steady valor, contesting the ground inch by inch, and more 



CAUSE OF FREEDOM LOOKED DESPERATE. 449 

than once repulsing the well-trained and numerous body of assailants. 
When at last tlioy could no longer hold it they drew off in good 
order and joined Washington's main armj". 

The English army lost so severely in this preliminary movement, 
that Howe relinquished his idea of making a general attack on Wash- 
ington's intrenched line. He had expected to find an army complete- 
ly demoralized by the disaster on Long Island, but found that it was 
still determined and resolute. 

Fort Washington was now completely isolated. The troops could 
not be removed in the face of the enemy : but the commander, Colonel 
Magaw, resolved to hold it to the last : although the English command- 
er, when summoning him to .surrender, threatened to put all to the 
sword if he refused. The English assailed his position with four 
columns, but their advance was steadily contested. General Knyp- 
hausen, however, with his Hessians, finally gained the height, and Ma- 
gaw, perceiving further resistance useless, surrendered with his garrison 
prisoners of war. Nearly three thousand American soldiers were thus 
lost to Washington, with valuable supplies, but the occupation of the 
fort had been against his advice. 

The cause of freedom looked desperate. Washington, with a little 
army of about three thousand men, was confronted by an English army 
of ten times his numbers, which daily received accessions of Tories. 

Washington had meanwhile crossed to Hackensack and retreated 
through Newark, New Brunswick, and Princeton to Trenton, where 
he crossed into Pennsjivania. 

General Cornwallis followed him step by step, and entered Trenton 
as Washington's last boats were crossing the Delaware. 

A reinforcement of two thousand Pennsylvania troops under General 



450 FRANCE AGREED TO SUPPLY ARMS INDIRECTLY. 

.Mifflin, enabled Washington to guard the passes of the river, and col- 
lect all boats that could be useful to the enemy. General Lee, with a 
division of the army, was still in Kew Jersey, and while slowly moving 
to join Washington, he was captured in his quarters at some distance 
from his troops. General Sullivan, who liad been exchanged, took 
command, and soon joined Washington ; General Gates also came in 
with the remnant of the army of Canada. But all this made up an in- 
significant force to face the powerful and exultant army of England, 
which held New York and New Jersey completely in their hands. It 
was a j)eri()d of deepest gloom for the cause of America. 

Rhode Island, too, was occupied by Sir Henry Clinton and a force of 
Hiitisli and Hessians, escorted by a squadron of men-of-war. 

Congress, which had retired to Baltimore, endeavored to arouse the 
people to action, but all were disheartened. The glorious results they 
liad expected were changed to disasters. 

Still, such a crisis had been foreseen, and Congress had already sent 
envoys to France and Spain to urge those countries to acknowledge 
American independence and give them aid in war material. Ben- 
jamin Franklin, regarded in France as one of the first philosophers of 
the age, exercised by his popularity a most favorable influence- 
Kiance agreed to supply arms indirectly. She allowed vessels to be 
fitted out in her ports to cruise against the English, and, without break- 
ing with the neighboring kingdom, gave every evidence of her good- 
will towards the Americans. 

All this, however, was but matter for hope, and before relief came, 
the cause of America might be desperate. Congress had been raising 
troops for short terms. Washington showed the danger of this, and 
the necessity of raising and maintaining for the «,-u, a large force of 



WASllIXGTOX GAVE NEW LIEE TO THE AKM'V. 45 I 

regular troops, whose experience should not be lost to the country 
just as they became good soldiers. Seeing the perilous condition of 
affairs, Congress invested him with power to raise sixteen additional 
battalions of infantry, three thousand light horse, three regiments of 
artillerj- and engineers, appoint officers, call on the States for militia, 
appoint all army officers under the grade of Brigadier-General, and, 
by a stretch of power most unusual, to take supplies when needed for 
the army, if the inhabitants refused to sell, allowing them a reason- 
able price. 

To carry on the war. Congress had issued paper money, of which 
some of our readers may have seen time-worn specimens. This was 
calied Continental Currency. The patriotic portion took this readily 
at first, but the Tories and those indifferent to the cause refused it. 
Washington was invested with authority to arrest and confine any 
man that refused to take it. 

With these powers in his hands Washington gave new life to the 
army. The soldiers felt confidence that their wants would be seen to, 
and that justice would be done to them in all cases. They felt that 
they were indeed an arm}' galhei-ed in a noble cause. 

Washington needed now but one thing to give his army new life and 
courage. This was, to strike a blow at the enemy that would rouse 
the droo])ing energies of the country, and fill the army with confidence. 

With tiie keen eye of an able general he watched his enemy. 
Howe, with an overpowering force, flushed with victcny, looked with 
contempt on Washington and his handful of soldiers beyond the river. 
He feared nothing from them, and lay in perfect security. 

Here was Washington's opportunity. He formed his available forces 
into three divisions ; he prepared to re-cross the Delaware on Christ- 



452 WASHINGTON S GREAT OPPORTUNITY. 

luas eve and attack the Hessiaus who held Trenton. The river was 
full of liuaiiiig ice, a most perilous moment to attempt to carry over 
troops ill the face of au enemy. He himself, with his main body, 
moved quietly up to McKonkey's Ferry, nine miles above Trenton : 
there he crossed in the intense cold, during a heavy storm of rain and 
hail that drove the Hessiaus in doors. The passage of the river 
was slow and dangerous, and it was not till four o'clock that he reach- 
ed the Jersey shore. 

General Cadwallader was to cross at Bristol, and move on the 
enemy at Bordentown and Mount Holly. 

Washington formed his troops in two divisions. One, under Gene- 
ral Sullivan, took the river road, and Washington himself, with Greene, 
took the Pennington road. 

The gayeties and merry-makings in the German camp had been 
kept up till a late hour : then all was still in the little town, and 
naught was heard but the driving sleet and snow. Not an ear listened 
to the approach of the two American columns, plodding on over icy 
roads, while men actually froze to death on the march. Suddenly the 
alarm rang out. Greene is in the town ; three minutes more and 
Sullivan's men, with a cheer, pour into the western side. The Hessian 
drums beat to arms ; quick as thought the well-drilled soldiers form 
under the eye of Colonel Rahl. But he is hemmed in between the 
Americans and Assanpink Creek, while a battery of six guns under 
Washington's own eye opens on him. Rahl trains two guns to oppose 
him, but Captain Washington and Lieutenant James Monroe are down 
on the gunners, and though wounded in the charge, capture the pieces 
when ready to fire. 

Rahl drew his men out of the town and, forming them in an orchard, 



THE BRILLIANT VICTORY AT TRENTON. 453 

resolves to make a desperate effort to regain Trenton. " Forward, all 
who are grenadiers of mine," he cries, and leads a fierce charge on 
Washington's line. A rattling volley meets them ; Rahl falls mortally 
wounded : his men turn and retreat alon<r the Princeton road ; but 
Hand's riflemen are in their front with their deadly weapons; other 
troops are on their flank. Bewildered, lost, the Hessians throw 
down their arms. The battle is over. Rahl, supported by sergeants, 
approaches General Washington and delivers up his sword, then is 
conveyed to his quarters to die. 

Trenton was won. Two men frozen to death, two killed and a few 
wounded, was all the Americans lost, to purchase a victory that gave 
them a thousand prisoner*^, with their artillery, ammunition, wagons, 
and arms. 

Cadwalader had been unable to effect a crossing, so Washington, 
unwilling to risk anything, retired again beyond the Delaware with 
his prisoners and spoils. 

This brilliant victory filled his army with confidence, and in propor- 
tion mortified the enemy. The British drew back from the Delaware 
to Princeton. Cornwallis, about to return to England, was recalled 
to resume his command in New Jersey, and watch the troublesome 
American army. 

On the 30th of December Washington took post at Trenton, where 
he was in\mediate]y joined by Generals Cadwalader and Mifflin, each 
with eighteen hundred Pennsylvania militia ; and Washington, by 
promises of a bounty, induced the New England troops, whose time 
of service Avas about to e.xpire, to remain for si.x weeks. He prepared 
to strike another blow, and formed his army for immediate action. 

So ended the year 1776, the year of American independence. 



CHAPTER II. 

Campaign of 1777 — The Operations in New Jersey — Cornwallis confronts Washington at Tren- 
ton — Washington's masterly Movement on Princeton — The Battle of Princeton — Death of 
General Mercer — British Attacks on Peekskill and Danbury — Death ot General Wooster — 
Meigs at Sag Harbor — Washington in Winter-quarters at Morristown— The glorious Stars 
and Stripes — Movements of the Armies in New Jersey — The British Evacuate the State — 
Lafayette comes to America — Howe Lands his Army at the Head of Chesapeake Bay — 
Washington meets him at Brandywine — A hard-fought Battle — Congress leaves Philadel- 
phia — Howe takes Possession of the City — Washington Attacks the British at Germantown — 
A Victory almost Gained— Operations on the Delaware — The Battle of the Kegs — Washing- 
ton in Winter-quarters at Valley Forge — Burgoyne, from Canada, Invades New York — Ti- 
conderoga Lost— Schuyler and his Policy — Burgoyne begins to Suffer from Want of Provisions 
— Defeat of Baume and his Hessians at Bennington — General Stark — St. Leger sent to Attack 
Fort Schuyler — Battle of Oriskany— Death of General Herkimer — Arnold Relieves the Fort — 
Sad Fate of Jane McCrea — Burgoyne Defeated at Stillwater — Another Battle — Burgoyne 
Attempts to Retreat — His Surrender — Clinton Ascends the Hudson. 

The New Year opened strangely. The English officers, who had 
expected to pass a gay winter in comfortable quarters, with all the 
amusements in which army officers have so delighted, and which 
make them so popular with the ladies, were roused to good hard work, 
marching and fighting. The generals found that they had an enemy 
who was watchful and untiring. Howe despatched Cornwallis at 
once to New Jersey, to restore order, get the army in a strong position, 
and prevent Washington from doing any further harm. 

Cornwallis, getting his troops well in hand at Princeton, where he 

overtook General Grant already on the march, pushed on to Trenton 

with a considerable force, leaving three regiments at Princeton under 

Colonel Mawhood. He was so much harassed by strong parties sent 

out by Washington to impede his progress, and obstruct the roads, that 

it was almost night when he finally reached Trenton, and came in view 

454 



A CRITICAL TIME A DOLU MANCEUVRE. 455 

of the American army. Washington's Hnes kiy beyond the Assan- 
pink, in a strong position, well fortified, and as the British advanced, 
the American skirmishers retired by the bridges and fords, which 
were all well defended. The critical moment had come. The two 
armies were face to face, but though Washinoton's force was made 
up chiefly of militia, and men whose services would expire in a few 
days, Cornwallis summoned up his remaining troops, to make sure of 
crushing the little American army. 

Within those lines whose fires he could see sfleamine alone the 
creek, a council of war was held in the house of Miss Dagworthy. 
General St. Clair proposed a bold manoeuvre, which all immediately 
adopted. His plan was to leave the fires burning, and men enough 
at work to keep up the appearance of occupation, while the army 
moved stealthily down to Princeton to surprise Colonel Mawhood in 
Cornwallis's rear. 

The baggage was sent off to Burlington, and at midnight the 
march began. Taking the Ouaker-road through the woods, as safer, 
their progress was slow, as the road was still full of stumps. It was 
daylight before they came in sight of Princeton, and Mawhood was 
already on the march to join Cornwallis with two regiments. Near 
the old Quaker meeting-house. General Mercer, with the advance of 
Washington's army, and Mawhood came in sight. A hill near at 
hand was at once the object of both. Mercer soon held it, and as 
Mawhood came up poured in volley after volley from the true rifles 
of his men ; but Mawhood was full of pluck. He led a charge of 
bayonets before which Mercer's men broke, leaving their general on 
the field. He surrendered, but was beaten down and bayoneted with 
wolfish cruelty by the Hessians. 



456 THE COUNTRY FILLED WITH HOPE. 

Washington rallied the fugitives, and with his artillery checked 
Mawhood's pursuit. The British commander, however, charged 
bravely again to capture Washington's guns, but was driven back to 
the hill, from which the City Cavalry of Philadelphia, in a splendid 
charge, headed by Washington himself, finally drove him. Maw- 
hood, with one regiment, then retreated towards Trenton ; his other 
regiments, after a brief stand at the college-buildings, fled in disorder 
to New Brunswick. 

Cornwallis, completely deceived, and supposing Washington still 
before him, was roused from his mistake by the booming of cannon 
in his rear. At once his camp was in motion. Forming his army, 
he marched in all haste towards Princeton ; but Washington had de- 
stroyed the bridges ; so that before he could come up, Washington, 
after pursuing the fugitive regiments of Mawhood's force, left the 
low country of Jersey, in which these operations had been carried on, 
and striking to the ranges of hills and mountains beyond, advanced 
to Morristown, where he established his winter-quarters. 

In this brilliant action, where all his men showed great resolution, 
except the militia who deserted Mercer, Washington suffered slight 
loss, e.xcept in officers, while the English loss in killed, wounded, and 
missing, was nearly a thousand. Like the affair at Trenton, this 
achievement filled the country with hope, and gave the American 
commander a very great reputation in Europe as well as in 
America. 

One of the grood effects of Washingfton's victories was the exchansfe 
and release of a number of American prisoners who had been held at 
New York. Their sufferings had been fearful beyond description. 
And during the whole war, the treatment of the American prisoners 



"old glory" floats at morristown. 457 

was a disgrace to England which can never be effaced. Churches, 
sugar-houses, prisons.were crowded with the unfortunate captives: then 
prison-ships were used ; harsh treatment, decayed food, want of proper 
accommodations, and of all means for maintaining cleanliness, swept 
away these patriots by thousands. The martyrs were buried near 
Trinity Church, and at the Wallabout in Brooklyn, and they merit a 
higher glory in the eyes of their countrymen than if they had died on 
the field of battle. Such a death seems glorious to all, but it is over 
in a moment, while the lingering death of the martyrs of the prisons 
and prison-ships was prolonged by every device that malignant in- 
genuity could devise. 

Howe lay inactive at New York, with his splendid army, awaiting 
reinforcements. He sent out one expedition to destroy some stores 
at Peekskill, and another to Danbury, Connecticut. The aged Gen- 
eral Wooster engaged the latter force with a handful of brave men, 
but was mortally wounded. Arnold happened to be near, and he 
gathered a small force, but was wounded and repulsed in an attack 
on the English, who accomplished their object. 

To retaliate for this predatory warfare, Colonel Meigs crossed over 
from Connecticut, and destroyed valuable English shipping and 
stores at Sag Harbor. 

About this time Washington raised on his camp at Morristown the 
flag which had been formally adopted by Congress, with thirteen 
stripes, alternately red and white, and a blue union with thirteen 
stars, forming a new constellation — the glorious Stars and Stripes 
that have for nearly a century waved over the land, and floated on 
every sea, and under the skies of every clime. 

Washington had been busily organizing the troops which Congress 



458 TRAINED EUROPEAN OFFICERS AID AMERICA. 

had raised throughout the States. Those at the North were stationed 
at Ticonderoga and Peekskill. Those of the Middle and some South- 
ern States were collected in New Jersey. He thus awaited Howe's 
movements. Twenty-four thousand muskets from France came sea- 
sonably to hand, and toward the end of May, Washington advanced 
to Middlebrook, near New Brunswick. Howe moved out, endeavor- 
ing to draw him from his strong position, and failing in this, evac- 
uated New Jersey, and crossed over to Staten Island. 

New Jersey had suffered terribly from the movements of the armies, 
and the plundering of the English, and especially the Hessian troops. 
Every county showed its pictures of desolation, its ruined homesteads, 
its slaughtered people, women stripped of everything wandering in 
the woods and mountains, houseless children, starving people. 

While Washington was watching Howe, to see at what point he 
intended to strike, ready to hasten to thwart it, he met one who was 
to be closely associated with him throughout the war, the Marquis de 
Lafayette. At a dinner given by some French officers to one of the 
sons of George HI., who happened to be in France, Lafayette heard 
of the American struggle. Though told by an enemy, there was 
enough to rouse the enthusiasm of the young and gallant officer. 
Leaving his wife in France, he hastened to America to offer his ser- 
vices to the new Republic. He asked no pay, and desired only active 
service. His example found followers ; de Kalb, Steuben, Kosciusko, 
Pulaski — officers trained in the wars of Europe, came to give America 
their experience and discipline. 

The summer wore away, and Howe's policy was still in doubt. At 
last, in August, Washington ascertained that the British had entered 
the Chesapeake, and landed at the head of Elk River, evidently with a 



THE FIERCEST CONFLICT YET. 459 

view to march on Philadelphia. He advanced and took post along the 
Brandywine, to contest the passage of the fords of that river, especially 
Chadd's Ford, where his main army was drawn up, while General Arm- 
strong and the Pennsylvania militia formed his left wing, and General 
Sullivan, with Stephens and Stirling, held the upper ford on his right. 
Howe moved upon him in two columns; that on the right, only as a 
feint, moved on Chadd's Ford, while the left column, under Lord Corn- 
wallis, moved up so as to cross the stream and turn Washington's 
ri<'ht flank. A dense foo- concealed his movements. This movement 
was discovered late, and Sullivan moved down to attack Cornwallis. 
His left was on the Brandywine ; both flanks were protected by woods, 
and his artillery well placed. As the day was declining, there was a 
glitter over Osborne's Hill, and down swept the English force in three 
columns. The cannon thundered along both lines, and the fiercest con- 
flict yet seen in the war was soon raging. While the English came on 
to the charge again and again, with desperate courage, they were stead- 
ily hurled back from the American lines. For an hour they fought 
muzzle to muzzle. At last Stephens' brigade wavers and falls back, 
Sullivan's yields, but Lord Stirling and Conway hold their own against 
Cornwallis's whole force. Sullivan and Lafayette gallop up after 
endeavoring to bring the other troops again into action. Sullivan's 
aids are killed by his side, Lafayette is wounded. Even they feel 
that they must draw off the brave fellows or lose them. Washington 
had been watching Knyphausen, expecting an attack at Chadd's Ford. 
Leaving Wayne to hold the Hessians in check, he hastened to sup- 
port Sullivan with all the force he could draw off under Greene. 
He met his men in full retreat, and, opening to receive them, Greene 
formed his men in a strong position and kept Cornwallis at bay. 



460 THE BUTCHER GREY SURPRISES WAYNE. 

Knyphausen at last attacked Wayne and Maxwell. For a time 
the Americans here sustained the onset as bravely as men could wish, 
but tidings came of the rout of the right wing. Then a retreat was 
ordered. It became a flight, for, abandoning artillery and stores, 
they retreated to the rear of General Greene. 

The battle of the Brandywine, fought to save Philadelphia, and 
fought under great, disadvantages, cost Washington nearly thirteen 
hundred men in killed, wounded, and prisoners. 

He fell back to Chester and Germantown. That he could save 
Philadelphia was now clearly impossible. Congress removed from 
that city all its stores and magazines, and prepared to hold its ses- 
sions elsewhere. 

Howe, after sending the butcher Grey to surprise General Wayne 
at Paoli, which he did with the blood-thirsty spirit of a tiger, occupied 
Philadelphia, and proceeded to remove the obstructions with which the 
Americans had studded the Delaware, and which would prevent the 
fleet from coming up to Philadelphia. While his army was thus weak- 
ened by detachments, Washington, who was at Skippack Creek, moved 
on the 30th of October to attack the British forces at Germantown. A 
column under Sullivan and Wayne, entering by the main street, was to 
attack the British centre and left ; another under Greene and Stephens, 
marchino- down the Lime-kiln r*oad, was to attack their ri^ht, while two 
columns of militia turned their flanks. General Greene was unable to 
arrive in time, so that Wayne attacked the British right before he came 
up. Sullivan and Conway defeated the enemy's left, and drove it 
steadily through the village; and the enemy's right waS utterly defeated 
by Generals Wayne and Greene ; but the victorious army became con- 
fused in the fog, so that parties fired into each other. The English 



TWO ENGLISH MEN-OF-WAR DESTROYED. 46 1 

colonel, Musgrave, who had occupied Chew's house in their rear, 
held out, and the firing of cannon there gave the impression that the 
English had gained their rear just as General Grey came up to them 
in front. A rapid retreat took place, but without disorder, Wash- 
ington retiring with all his artillery. The battle was a sanguinary 
one, though productive of no decisive result, the loss on each side 
being nearly a thousand. 

Washington then retired to Skippack Creek, and Howe, feeling 
that he could not risk any more such engagements, drew all his forces 
into the city of Philadelphia. The reduction of the forts below him 
on the Delaware was his great object, but it was no easy matter. 

Colonel Donop, with twelve hundred Hessians, was sent to attack 
the Rhode Island Colonel Greene, at Red Bank, while five men-of- 
war were to aid in the operation. So ably did Greene defend his post. 
Fort Mercer, that the assailants, after a desperate conflict, retreated 
in disorder, leaving their commander, Donop, mortally wounded, a 
prisoner in the hands of the Americans, and losing nearly four hun- 
dred men. The men-of-war fared as badly, two, the Augusta and Mer- 
lin, grounded, and were set on fire and destroyed by the Americans. 

Fort Mififlin, situated on Mud Island, a low reedy spot about seven 
miles below Philadelphia, was next attacked. It had a garrison of 
three hundred men, under Lieutenant-Colonel Smith of Baltimore. 
There were guard-boats and galleys in the channel, and Washington 
sent what relief he could spare. 

On the loth of November the English opened fire from batteries on 
land and floating ones, as well as from the men-of-war. A perfect 
storm of shells and balls rained on the devoted fort. Smith fell 
dangerously wounded. Pleury, the engineer, was struck down ; the 



462 LYDIA DARRAH, THE BRAVE QUAKERESS. 

commander of the artillery was killed. The garrison was thinned 
by the deadly fire. Towards midnight Major Thayer, the com- 
mander, set the ruins on fire and retired to Fort Mercer. 

Two days after, Cornwallis marched against that post, and as 
nothing could be done to save it, the American forces withdrew. 

The galleys and other vessels then endeavored to pass above 
Philadelphia. Some succeeded under cover of night, others were 
burned to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy. 

The English were now complete masters of Philadelphia, and the 
Delaware down to the sea. This result had been purchased at a 
serious loss of men and time, and really was of little advantage, for 
Washington was encamped at Whitemarsh, fourteen miles from 
Philadelphia, in a strong position carefully fortified. 

Howe felt that he could attempt no further operations till he brought 
Washington to an action. To draw the American general from his 
lines, he marched out of Philadelphia with his army on the night of 
the 4th of December, every precaution having been taken to make 
the movement a complete surprise on General Washington. 

But the council of war had been held in the house of Lydia Dar- 
rah, a Quakeress, whose patriotism, though not evinced, was true and 
deep. Alarmed at this secret council of the British officers, she stole 
to the door of the room where they were deliberating on the night of 
the 2d, and heard enough to see Washington's danger ; then crept 
back to bed. When the council broke up, they rapped at her door 
that she might let them out. She let them knock some minutes, 
and then came out as if roused from a deep sleep. 

The next morning she asked leave to goto Frankford for flour for 
her family, and having reached the mill she left her bag, and then 



) 

THE SEVERE WINTER AT VALLEY FORGE. 463 

hastened on with all her might towards the American outposts. At 
last she saw an American officer approaching. She begged him to 
dismount and walk with her. Panting with her exertion she told him 
all she knew, and bade him hasten to General Washington, but not to 
betray her, as she was in the enemy's hands. 

While, with a heart relieved and full of thankfulness, the good 
woman plodded homeward, Colonel Craig galloped to the camp. 
Washington at once prepared, and when Howe came up with his 
forces he found the American lines manned, the artillery ready to open 
upon him, all in fact ready to give him a warm reception. After a lit- 
tle skirmishing he returned to Philadelphia, unable to explain how his 
plan got wind. Lydia Darrah was not suspected, for, as one of the offi- 
cers told her, " I know you were asleep, for I knocked three times at 
your door before I could rouse you." And she very truthfully de- 
clared that no other of her family was up that night. 

Washington soon after broke up his encampment here, and fell 
back with his exhausted army to Valley Forge, twenty miles from Phil- 
adelphia, where he passed the winter with terrible privation and suf- 
fering, which have made the camp famous as the darkest hour in the 
struggle for American independence. His army reached Valley Forge 
on the 19th of December, and at once began felling trees to build log 
huts on the slopes where they were to encamp. Washington'-^ head- 
quarters were at the house of Mr. Potts, an old house still standing. 
Around him on regular streets, like a little city, were the huts of the 
Continental soldiers. Howe, in Philadelphia, enjoyed comfortable 
quarters and abundance of supplies. Washington, through the dila- 
tory action of Congress and the frauds of those who had undertaken 
to furnish supplies, saw his army almost perish with hunger and cold. 



464 CANADIANS, INDIANS AND NEW YORK TORIES. 

For want of horses, the men had to yoke themselves to wagons. As 
winter advanced the suffering increased. For a week at a time the 
troops were without any kind of flesh-meat, and the farmers around, 
disaffected to the new government, refused to sell them grain or cattle. 
Sickness broke out among them and numbers died. Never did a 
cause look more gloomy, but Washington never despaired. Isaac 
Potts, in whose house he lodged, once came upon the general's horse 
tied to a sapling, and in a thicket near by he saw Washington on his 
knees in prayer, his cheeks wet with tears. 

We turn now to the Northern department. After the disastrous 
invasion of Canada, the scanty American force, with a small body of 
Canadians who had joined them, fell back to Ticonderoga and Crown 
Point. 

The English had meanwhile sent out German and English troops 
to Canada, and a large army now occupied that province under Gen- 
eral Burgoyne. Canadians, with Indians and Tories from New York, 
brought by the influence of the Johnson family, swelled his ranks. 
He resolved to take the offensive and to sweep down to New York, 
annihilating the American forces on his way, and thus crushing out 
the rebellion in that colony. 

Towards the latter part of June, 'i']']'], he encamped near Crown 
Point and there gave a war banquet to his Indians, addressing them 
in a speech intended to inflame their zeal, although in words he en- 
joined on them humanity and all the usages of civilized men, de- 
nouncing all scalping or murder of those not engaged in hostilities. 

At the approach of the enemy, the Americans posted at Crown 
Point retired to Ticonderosra ; General St. Clair held that fort with 
about two thousand half-armed men and boys. He was not aware 



THE LOSS OF TICONDEROGA. 465 

of the large force under Burgoyne, or its reinforcements. He at- 
tempted to defend Ticonderoga, although he had not force enough to 
man his lines. 

Burgoyne took possession of Mount Hope and Mount Defiance, 
planting batteries to command St. Clair's position. St. Clair by night 
sent ofi his stores in batteaux to Whitehall, and then marched for the 
same place. Burgoyne soon discovered the movement, although a fire 
had been kept up on his works to mislead him. He overtook the 
boats at Whitehall, and the Americans destroyed them, with the mills 
and stores there, to prevent their falling into his hands. General 
Frazer, with a force of Hessians and English, pursued St. Clair's rear, 
and overtook them at Hubbarton in Vermont. The Americans, about 
twelve hundred in number, under Colonels Seth Warner and Francis, 
faced the enemy : but at the first volleys the militia fled, leaving seven 
hundred men to bear the brunt. The battle raged furiously for some 
time, and the Americans, though Colonel Francis was killed while 
checking- a retreat, held their "-round till General Riedesel came dash- 
ing up with his Hessians. Then the remnant of the American force 
retreated to Rutland and Castleton, pursued by the Hessians. The 
English had won the day, but at the cost of two hundred men killed 
and wounded ; the American loss, including prisoners, being more 
than three hundred : but the heaviest disaster was the loss of Ticon- 
deroga, a hundred and twenty-eight cannon, stores, and provisions. 

At the same time Colonel St. Leger, with a force of English, Tories, 
and Indians, was moving by way of Oswego on Fort Schuyler, now 
Rome, where Colonel Gansevoort commanded a small garrison. To 
relieve this place, a force assembled under brave old General Herki- 
mer, but they were rash and disregarded his calm advice. While 



466 THE DESPERATE FIGHT AT ROME. 

pushing on towards the fort they were suddenly attacked by a party 
in ambush, under command of Brant and Sir John Johnson. The 
Americans were at first thrown into confusion as the Inchansburst on 
them from their coverts, with deadly volleys and yells of fury, but 
they speedily recovered and fought like veterans. Brave old Herki- 
mer had his horse killed under him, by a ball which pierced his own 
leg. But he made his men seat him on his saddle at the foot of a 
large beech tree, and, lighting his pipe, he continued to give his orders 
with the utmost composure till the enemy retreated. For nearly an 
hour the woods resounded with the crack of rifles, the cheers of the 
Americans, the yells of the Indians and Tories. Both fought with 
the utmost desperation, most of the combatants being old friends 
and neighbors, with scarcely a stranger among them. It was almost 
a hand to hand fight, and was suspended only when a furious storm 
came on. The British then drew off, but Herkimer formed his men 
in a better position. He had seen the Indians rush on his men after 
firing, and cut them down. Now he put two men at a tree, one to 
fire at a time. When the 'British renewed the attack, and, after see- 
ing the flash of an American's rifle, rushed up to despatch him before 
he could load again, they caught the rifle-ball or the hatchet of the 
second American. So severely did the Indians suffer by this new 
style that thej' drew off, and Major Watts rushed forward to the 
attack with his Royal Greens, a Tory regiment raised in the valley. 
The siofht of these men stune the Americans to madness. As these 
traitors advanced, the Americans poured in a deadly volley, then 
burst from their coverts like so many furies, and attacked them with 
bayonets, knives, or with the butts of their muskets. Amid this came 
the thunder of cannon from the fort. Gansevoort was coming. The 



ROUT OF ST. LEGER DEATH OF HERKIMER. 467 

English, to deceive them sent a party with their coats turned ; the 
Americans were about to open and receive them when the fraud was 
detected. So fierce was the attack on his party, that they were all 
killed or driven back in panic ; and the Indians, terrorstruck, fled 
with them. The sortie from the fort, under Colonel Willett, com- 
pleted the rout of St. Leger, who lost all his camp equipage, cloth- 
ing, stores, private papers and baggage, with five British flags. 

Yet St. Leger rallied his men and even sent an officer to demand 
the surrender of the fort. It was indignantly refused ; and Colonel 
Willett hastened in person to Albany for relief. General Arnold 
marched to relieve the fort, and using a half crazy fellow named Hon 
Yost Schuyler he filled St. Leger's Indians with such terrible ideas of 
his immense force, that St. Leger's besieging force, to the great as- 
tonishment of Colonel Gansevoort and his garrison, suddenly broke 
up their encampment and fled in haste, leaving tents, artillery, and 
baofSfaee behind them. 

Thus ended the siege of Fort Schuyler. 

Brave General Herkimer was carried to his home, but his wound 
proved fatal. He died a few days after, revered to this day in the 
valley of the Oriskany, where he fought so nobly. 

Burgoyne had now control of Lake Champlain and Lake George, 
but his further progress was delayed by want of provisions. He ex- 
pected to live off the country, but was soon disappointed. The 
Americans had provisions stored at Bennington, in Vermont. That 
State, with the rich pastures in the valleys of the Green Mountains, 
abounded in horses, with which, too, he hoped to mount his dragoons. 

A body of nearly five hundred men, Hessians, Tories, and Indians, 
sallied out from Fort Edward, under the command of Lieutenant-Colo- 



.l.().S 



{■<)|,i»NI';i. JdllN STARK - Kl'IV. M K. M.I.ICN. 



ml I5:uuiii-, j'liidcd Ky ( Governor Skcm'. All \v;is j^.iy ;is a iioliday 
cxcursinii, liiil when lidiiij.;'; caiiii' thai llu' Americans had mustered, 
ci^^hLeen hundred i.lriill", at r)eiiiiin;;lMii to meet him, the mailer he- 
^aii lo look s<'rion',. Slill I'.anme fell himself .slroiit;ciiou'di, and he 
pushed on over llie dusly road in the hoi y\n;;nst snn. /\t \'an 
Schait L's Mdl, near North 1 ioosicL, he ( a|)tur<(l some lloin", ami was 
joimsl Iiy a lew Tories, who in( rea:,ed his hopes of success. 

John Stark, al the call of t he ( icner.d ( ourl of New I lam|)sliire, 
lefi his (arm to lakeconimaml of the :aiddenl)' raised forces of the 
Slate. ( )n the i;lhol ;\uimisI , heariu" cif I he enemy's a|)pr().ich, he 
sent out I olonel <iiev;'; with two hundred men. As this parly (anu; 
upon llaunie':. force it (ell hack till .Si.uk came up and foianed his 
men in lineol li.illh'; liaume, seeing; a consideiaMe force thus check- 
in"_ his advani c, li.dted on a hi;di ;;i'ouiid o\'erlookin:;' a hend of ihe 
\\ alloomscoick ( reek. .St, irk, to dr.iw him Iroin t his ;.;rouud, as well 
as lo olitain ieiiil(n cemenls, (ell hacki Militia came ponrlne' in. 
'idle Uev. Mr. Allen of rillslield came at the head of his (lock. 
" ( lenei.d," said he, " the people o( Iteikshire ha\'e often heeil sum- 
moneil lo the held without lieiii',; allowed to liehl, and i( you do noL 
j;i\e them ,1 ( h.iiice, they li.n'e re?;ol\cd ne\er to turn oul a^ain." 
" Well," said .St, irk, "do you wish to m.irch now while il is tlark and 
raininef'" " No, not just this moineni," w, is the reply. " 'riien," said 
the eeiieral, " il llm 1 ,ord shall once more i\iv<- us sunshine and I do 
not vd\'" \^*^^ h'.ditin'.; enoin.di, ill ne\cr ask yon to come out aeain." 

1 )urln;; the ni'.dit the r.iiii ceased, ihi- day dawned hriehi and clear, 
and hot h I irep.ired for act ion. 

.Stark sent I wo p.ut ies, one under t'olonel Nichols, llu; olhcr umlcr 
Colonel 1 lerreck, to alt.ick Isnime's ri'dit and left \\in<'S from the i-e.ir. 



TIIK STUIlliOUN l'li;in' A\'li KIM, I. SIJ KKMN I )i;U. .\(>() 

Alioul three o'clock, the ralllc of musketry lohl thai tlic atl.K Ic hail Ixs 
f^uii. Tlicii Stark, ill front, spraiii; to his saddle, jud i;av<- the word, 
" I'"or\vai(l." < )ii lo tin- IiiII-lo|) swcjit his iiiaiii hody, full in view of 
lh<- advance of lianine's force, a 'I'ory parly iiit r<-ii( hi-d just o\'-r ihi- 
ri\cr, wliile ihi- llcssiaii iiilr<-M( hiiieiit, now vvrcalhed in sniol.e, Lay 
h<-yond. "Set; there, men," < ried Slarl;, "there are the redcoats. 
Iiefore ni'dit they are onrs, or Molly Starl: will he ;i widow !" '1 he 
milil ia answered will) a sliont that sent athi'Ill t hron;di ever)' 'lory 
liisirt, as Stark swi'pl down, and lln' hallle hc'an in e.irne.t. I he 
'J'ories were driven (I'oni then- nil ri-nehmeni . and hnrhil hack ov<!r 
tli<; creek into ihe I lessian line,. 'I he Indian allies of the I'.riiish, 
dislilciii:'; the looj, of allairs, Ih-d with lond ye]],. 'I Iwn tin- slidihoiii 
fl;^llt hej^an. I'.annie''. tioops fou'dit despei-ately, keepln;; their eoh 
mnns ind>rol:en, till every ( haree of powihi- was j^fMie. 'I he Ameri- 
cans as bravely char;^in;.; npon I hem, rej'ardless of I heir lannon .\\\(\ 
defenses. I' or a time, ihc dragoons with their sahies endeavored to 
cnt tlnirway ihron'di, hnt at last were < ompelled lo yield. Almost 
the whole party snrrendeied as prisoners of w.ar. 

Ijiir^oyne, in his hrsi inst rnrt ions, lia^l <liie(ird llamne toswe<;j) 
ihroii'di V'a'mont, and |oin Inm at /Mhany, hriirdnj;' horses hy the 
thousand. lint liaimie'', jettc i-, led him to lliiid-; llnr-e mijdit he ;i 
litlle Ironhle, so he sent I .ientenani -( ohmel lli'eyman, to rein- 
fori e hill). |nst as .Starl;, having; sei iired his prisoners, was y;oinjj 
to let his men jihmder the < amp of the \sin<|nisl)ed, r,reyn)an ( aine 
ii))on the field. Slarl: I'ei ailed his men, and with Colonel Seth War- 
ner, who(,ime lip with fresh t roops, renewed the hallle with the fresh 
foe. I'oth sides fon^dit des])er;itely, as long as dayli;^ht laslctd. I hen 
I'-reyiiiat) retreated towards .Saratoga, pnrsued hy the Aim,'ricans. 



470 BURGOYNE DISHEARTENED AMERICANS EXULTANT. 

With a loss of thirty killed and forty wounded, Stark had captured 
seven hundred and fifty prisoners, four cannon, ammunition-wagons, 
muskets, and killed more than two hundred of the enemy. 

This deprived Burgoyne of a thousand men, and, with St. Leger's 
defeat, disheartened the Tories and Indians. America was filled with 
exultation. Stark, who had been so ill treated by Congress that he 
had left the army, was made a brigadier-general without the asking, 
and a new spirit was aroused in all. 

Disappointed in his hopes of drawing relief from Vermont, or the 
Mohawk valley, Burgoyne saw no alternative but to push on. Yet, 
before him was a really great general ; not a showy, noisy man, but 
one clear of head, cool, careful and practical. General Schuyler had 
collected the militia, and, while risking skirmishes, avoided a battle 
with Burgoyne's veterans, delaying his progress by destroying 
bridges, cutting up the roads, digging pit-falls, and creating every ob- 
stacle that ingenuity could devise. On the 13th and 14th of Septem- 
ber, Burgoyne reached the plain of Saratoga, and encamped within 
nine miles of Schuyler's camp at Stillwater. Towards this Burgoyne 
advanced cautiously ; Arnold, who was sent out with fifteen hundred 
men, failing to check his advance. 

On the 19th of September, Burgoyne made his first attack on the 
American lines, where Schuyler, sacrificed to the clamors of a few, had 
been succeeded by General Gates. The Americans lay around Bemis' 
tavern, their line well defended by breastworks and redoubts. Gen- 
eral Gates commanded the right in person between the river and the 
hig-h crfound, while General Arnold held the heifrhtwith his left. Be- 
tween the armies were two deep ravines closely wooded. Burgoyne's 
force moved throusfh these obstacles to the attack. Down on his right 



BURGOVNE RESOLVES TO ATTACK THE AMERICANS. 471 

came Morgan's rifles, and General Arnold in support : but as Gates 
would not send reinforcements, they were unable to turn General 
Frazer's flank. 

Arnold, ever ready in resource and boldness, marched across under 
cover of the woods, and suddenly burst down like a torrent on Bur- 
goyne's centre. His left and right wings dared not leave their posi- 
tions to aid their commander, and though General Phillips and Gen- 
eral Riedesel did come up, the battle lasted furiously for four hours, 
until darkness put an end to the action. Then the Americans drew 
off, and the English remained in possession of the field, having lost 
about six hundred killed and wounded out of thirty-five hundred. 
The American loss was much less. 

Yet Burgoyne had not reached, much less attacked, the American 
lines ; his provisions were nearly exhausted ; he heard nothing of Sir 
Henry Clinton, who was to have co-operated with him from New 
York ; a retreat to Canada was almost impossible. Every day skir- 
mishing was kept up, weakening his men, while it gave courage and 
experience to the American troops, whose numbers were constantly 
increasing. In vain Burgoyne despatched messengers to Sir Henry 
Clinton ; in vain he looked with anxious eyes for the expected relief. 

On the 7th of October, receiving no information, he resolved to make 
an attack on the American left. Phillips, Riedesel, and Frazer moved 
out in gallant style, with the Indians and Tories on their left. Again 
Morgan began the battle, and the Americans attacked Burgoyne's line 
simultaneously on both flanks and in the centre. Burgoyne ordered 
up fresh troops to cover the retreat, which he now saw to be inevita- 
ble. It was too late. The o-renadiers and Germans, under Ackland 
and Riedesel, on the low ridge, had already given way before the onset 



4/2 THE ENGLISH GENERAL SURRENDERED. 

of the men of New Hampshire, New York, and Connecticut. The 
gallant General Frazer, bringing up the Twenty-fourth to cover their 
retreat, was killed by a ball from a tree, sent by Morgan's deadly 
rifles. Instead of menacing Gates' lines, Burgoyne began to fear for 
his own. Back he hastened, leaving six cannon on the field, which 
was strewn with his dead and wounded. 

Well might he fear, for Arnold, who had headed his men in the 
desperate attack on Burgoyne's centre and left, was determined to 
strike a blow to show how unjustly Gates had treated him. En- 
couraging his men to the wildest enthusiasm, he pushed on to the 
enemy's line, and when Patterson's brigade, caught in an abattis, was 
driven back, he led up Jackson's regiment and furiously attacked 
Lord Balcarras in his intrenchment, and, failing to carry it, stormed 
and held the part of Burgoyne's intrenchment held by Colonel Brey- 
man — Arnold's horse being killed under him just as he was entering 
the works, by a ball which fractured the general's leg. 

During the night Burgoyne abandoned his lines, and fell back to 
a new position. His retreat had begun, his doom was sealed ; Gates 
sent off detachments to cut off his retreat, by demolishing bridges 
and impeding the roads. 

Burgoyne halted at Fish Creek and called a council of war. There 
was no alternative. On the i6th of October a convention was signed, 
by which this once formidable army capitulated to General Gates. 
Two lieutenant-generals, two major-generals, three brigadier-generals, 
a long line of inferior officers and men, making up five thousand 
seven hundred and sixty-three men, with all their artillery, arms, 
and ammunitions, were surrendered on the plains of Saratoga. 

The English forces left in Ticonderoga and Crown Point, retired in 



THE AMERICANS HOLD THE HUDSON. 473 

all haste to Canada. The citizen soldiers, gathered to meet this well- 
appointed army, in spite of the pompous proclamations of its general 
menacing them with all the terrors of war, beheld regiment after reg- 
iment file out and lay down their arms, after a series of engagements 
in which the boasted superiority of English regulars had been proved 
a delusion. 

Burgoyne had waited in vain for a movement from New York under 
Clinton. That general had not been utterly remiss. But all these 
British generals were beginnincr to find that America was a larcre 
country, and that to hold much territory, required very large armies. 
When Clinton should have moved from New York up the Hudson 
River, he found that he had not men enough to do so safely, and.leave 
a force to hold New York. Every day he looked anxiously seaward 
for ships with fresh troops from England. There, as usual, delays took 
place, and it was not till October that Clinton could begin his cam- 
paign. On the Highlands, on the western bank of the beautiful Hud- 
son, about fifty miles above New York, the Americans had planted 
Fort Clinton and Fort Montgomery, to prevent the enemy from pass- 
ing up. Under the guns of the forts a boom was stretched across the 
river, with an immense iron chain in front, and a heavy wood-work 
called a chevaux-de-frise sunk behind it. Above this again lay a 
frigate and some galleys, to prevent any attempt to force a passage. 
Below, on the opposite side, frowned Fort Independence. General 
Putnam had his head-quarters at Peekskill, just below, and with a 
force of two thousand men commanded the river. 

Clinton sailed up with three thousand men in the ships of war un- 
der Commodore Hotham, and landed near Peekskill. Putnam fell 
back to the heights, in the rear of Peekskill, calling on Governor 



474 T"K p:.\gi.i.sh captukk the iiudson. 

Clinton for reinforcements, emd utt(.-rly neglectini:^ to strengthen his 
forts. Clinton, leaving part of his force to amuse the old general, 
threw his army across to Stony Point, and at once marched around 
behind the Dunderberg mountain to attack Fort Clinton and Fort 
Montgomery. 1 le had nearly reached them before he was discovered. 
Parties which had been sent out were met and driven in by the 
liritisli columns, which now moved simultaneously on the two forts. 
The little parties of Americans under Pmuju, McClaghrey, Fenno, 
fought desperately but in vain ; in vain did ihe little garrisons of the 
forts keep up a cannonade and musketry lire from their works. They 
were too few. .Sir Henry Clinton advanced on P'ort Clinton through 
a long abaltis, and under a severe fire. At his word, his men, with 
fixed bayonets, without firing a shot, charged and carried the works. 
So too, at P'ort Montgomery, Lord Rawdon led on his grenadiers to 
the charge, and though Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell fell at the head 
of his division, they too, carried the works before them. 

The P'nglish fleet was in the river, to aid if necessary, but by a 
single blow, the elaborate American defenses were swept away. The 
fleet destroyed the boom and chain ; the American vessels endeavored 
to escape up the river, but, failing, were set on fire. The other forts 
were abandoned, and to heighten the panic and dismay, the English 
wantonly destroyed Continental Village and Esopus. The victory 
was complete. The British were masters of the Hudson. 

In the action at the forts, the Americans lost about two hundred 
and fifty men, but the English did not secure many prisoners, as most 
of the gari'isons escaped when the enemy entered the works. Had 
Clinton at once sailed up with his force and occupied Albany,the victory 
at Saratoga would have been useless, but he returned to New York. 



SAD FATK OF JANF, MCCREA. 475 

General Burgoyne was received with great courtesy by General 
Schuyler, whose beautiful house he had recently destroyed. Struck 
with Schuyler's generosity the British general said : "You show me 
great kindness, though I have done you much injury." "Tliat was 
the fate of war," nobly replied Schuyler, " let us say no more about ii." 

Burgoyne's troops were marched to Boston to be sent to lingland, 
but troubles arose and they were removed to Virginia, and tiiere de- 
tained as prisoners till they were formally exchanged. Gates, instead 
of reporting his victory to Washington, as his commander-in-chief, 
dispatched an officer to Congress. A vote of thanks was passed to 
him and his arm)', and a medal was struck to commemorate his success. 

Among the incidents connected with Burgoyne's campaign is the 
fate of Jane McCrea, which ex'cited universal commiseration. This 
beautiful young lady was the daughter of a Presbyterian clergyman 
at Jersey City, but on the death of her father there, went to reside 
with her brother near Fort ICdward. Here her affections were won 
by a young man named David Jones, who sided with the English Gov- 
ernment, and, proceeding to Canada, became a lieutenant in the divi- 
sion of Burgoyne's army commanded by the brave General I'razer. 
As the English army approached P'ort Edward young McCrea [jre- 
pared to retire to Albany, for he was a staunch Whig : but Jenny, 
with her Tory lover and many Tory friends, felt no alarm, and lingered 
with some friends, though her brother sent for her. She at last prom- 
ised to join him next day. That morning some Indians stealthily ap- 
proached the house. All lied to the cellar, but the Indians, dashing 
in, seized Mrs. McNeil and Jenny, and dragged them off towards Bur- 
goyne's camp. A negro boy, seeing this, ran to Fort Edward to give 
the alarm ; a party was sent out, which fired on the Indians, but they 



4/6 PLANS FOR GENERAL GOVERNMENT. 

escaped. When the pursuit ceased, the Indians stripped Mrs. McNeil 
to her chemise and led her to the camp, where she ahnost immediately 
met General Frazer, who was related to her. While reproaching him 
with sending Indians to attack innocent settlers, the other Indians 
came up, and to her horror she beheld Jane McCrea's scalp dangling 
from the belt of one. She charged him with havinij massacred her 
young friend, but the Indians denied it. 

As it was long currently reported and believed, the Indians them- 
selves quarreled about her at the pine-tree long pointed out to trav- 
elers, and finally murdered her, carrying off her scalp. They pretended 
that she was slain by a ball from the American party, but in such a case 
an Indian would scarcely carry off in triumph her scalp. Burgoyne 
summoned the Indians to council, and demanded the surrender of 
the man who bore off the scalp, to be punished as a murderer ; but 
he finally pardoned him for fear of losing all his Indians. 

Young Jones, horrified at this picture of war, and heart-broken, 
wished to throw up his commission, but was not permitted to do so. 
He purchased the scalp of his betrothed, and, with his brother, de- 
serted from the English army soon after, and retired to Canada. 
There he lived many years, keeping up in sorrow and solitude the 
anniversary of the death of the beautiful Jane McCrea. 

During all the period from the Declaration of Independence, and 
virtually before that act, the Continental Congress had governed the 
country, but without any definite understanding with the States, or 
document stating its powers. Wise men had been devising plans for 
this general government. In November, 1777, Articles of Confeder- 
ation were adopted, and submitted to the States for their ratification. 

These Articles of Confederation should be known. Under them. 



ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION. 477 

each State was to have not less than two nor more than four mem- 
bers in Congress ; the delegates from each State having together one 
vote in all deliberations ; and these delegates were paid by the State 
which they represented. 

This Congress had the sole right of determining peace and war, 
sending and receiving ambassadors, treating with foreign countries, 
establishing a post-office, coining money. They had the right to make 
requisitions on the States for their quota of troops : and to appoint 
all army officers except regimental ones, and all navy officers. 

When Congress was not in session, a committee of the States, con- 
sistino- of one deleofate from each, controlled the affairs of govern- 
ment. Congress elected a president, who could not serve more than 
one year in three. 
j The Union was declared perpetual, and no alteration was to be 

I made in any State unless agreed to in Congress, and confirmed by the 
\ legislature of every State. No two or more States were to make any 
I treaty, confederation, or union among themselves, without consent of 
\ Coneress. These articles were now submitted to the States, 
i We will close the history of this eventful year by an account of a 

I curious panic which occurred among the British troops in Philadelphia. 
I David Bushnell, of Connecticut, anxious like many of the patriots to 
j rid his country of the British fleet in the Delaware, turned his inge- 
\ nuity to the invention of a torpedo to effect this desirable object. He 
I made kegs of powder to float down the stream, so arranged, by ma- 
chinery, that on striking any hard substance, they would explode. He 
sent several down, but unfortunately, that very night, the English ships 
j were hauled into docks to avoid the ice ; but one of the kegs, meeting 
] some obstacle, exploded. It filled all Philadelphia with alarm. For 



47^ "the battle of the kegs." 

several days the English soldiers and sailors watched the river with 
the most unwinking gaze. Everything that could excite suspicion was 
fired at. It so happened that a sudden rise of the river, occasioned by 
a thaw, flooded a cooper's yard above the city, and down the river 
went the casks, bobbing up and down. As this fleet was descried by 
a sentinel, he fired an alarm gun. Down to the docks poured the sol- 
diers, who, seeing so many kegs, supposed them all Bushnell torpedoes 
sent down for their destruction. A fire was opened on them from 
every dock and ship, and kept up vigorously till the tide had borne 
them all down, or they had been so riddled that they sank. 

" The cannons roar from shore to shore. 
The small arms loud did rattle ; 
Since wars began I'm sure no man 

E'er saw so strange a battle. 
The rebel dales, the rebel vales 
■With rebel trees surrounded, 
The distant woods, the hills and floods 
, ' With rebel echoes sounded : " 

sung Francis Hopkinson in his ballad "The Battle of the Kegs," 
written on the occasion, and long immensely popular. 

In March, 1776, Congress despatched Silas Deane, a commercial 
and political agent, to France, and at a later day sent commissioners to 
other countries of Europe, from whom aid might be expected. From 
France especially, an alliance was hoped ; the supplies of arms indi- 
rectly given, the accession of a nobleman so illustrious as the Marquis de 
Lafayette, and the unconcealed friendship manifested by the French 
ministry, all filled America with hopes of direct aid, and especially with 
the hope that France would acknowledge the independence of the 
United States, setting an example that other countries would readily 
follow. 



FRENCH KING RECOGNIZES INDEPENDENCE. 479 

But though Dr. FrankHn, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee, as com- 
missioners, met Vergennes in December, 1776, they could not induce 
the French government to take a step which must bring on a war 
with England. 

America offered her a share in the cod fisheries, excluding all other 
nations, half of Newfoundland, and any islands in the West Indies 
that might be reduced, but still France hesitated, although she con- 
tinued to aid the United States through a fictitious mercantile house 
in the West Indies. 

When the reverses of war made the American cause look less hope- 
ful, France was still less inclined to act rashly. 

The surrender of Burgoyne gave a new aspect to affairs. Although 
Washington, on whom great hopes were founded, had as yet achieved 
no striking success, this victory of the northern army excited univer- 
sal astonishment. England began to hope that the United States, 
disgusted with French delay, would accept terms which England might 
honorably offer ; while Louis XVI. felt that he must now act, if at all. 

Lord North introduced into Parliament conciliatory bills about 
taxing the colonies ; allowing the colonies themselves to apply the 
proceeds of the tax, as though America would, for a moment, enter- 
tain any such proposals. 

On the 1 6th of December, Gerard, secretary to the French Coun- 
cil of State, informed the American Commissioners that, after a long 
and mature deliberation, his Majesty had determined to recognize the 
independence of, and to enter into a treaty of commerce and alliance 
with, the United States of America ; and that he would not only ac- 
knowledge their independence, but actually support it with all the 
means In his power. 



4S0 HANNAH ERWIN ISRAEL SAVES THE CATTLE. 

France saw that if North, coming at last to understand the real 
state of the case, acknowledged the independence of the United 
States, and formed an alliance with her late colonies, France would 
be exposed to great danger. Her interest was to prevent any such 
alliance, and thus pursue the friendly course she had hitherto adopted. 

Thus closed the year 1777, full of fresh hopes for American free- 
dom, althou'^h this cheerino; intelliofence did not for some months 
reach her shores. 

We have seen how one Pennsylvania woman, Lydia Darrah, 
served her country, while the English occupied Philadelphia. An- 
other, Hannah Erwin Israel, showed undaunted courage. 

Soon after the fall of the city, the British seized her husband and 
brother on the information of Tory neighbors, who reported that Mr. 
Israel had declared openly that he would sooner drive his cattle as a 
present to General Washington, than receive thousands of dollars in 
British gold for them. 

The two prisoners were conveyed on board the Roebuck frigate, 
lying in the Delaware, and orders were at once given to dispatch a 
squad of soldiers to drive off and slaughter all Mr. Israel's cattle, 
which were then in full sieht, erazincr in the meadows. 

Mrs. Israel, a young and beautiful woman, only nineteen years of 
age, slight in person, and retiring in disposition, was roused by the 
wrongs of her country and her own. She was on the lookout, gazing 
towards the vessel in which those dear to her were confined, when she 
saw boats push towards the land, full of soldiers. In a moment she 
divined their purpose, and resolved to baffle it. Taking a boy eight 
years old, she started for the meadow, and began to drive the cattle 
towards the barnyard, some distance back, where she knew the sol- 




SAS.ON DE KALB INTRODUCING I.APAYETTE TO SILAS DEANE. (Page 478 Shea's H.btory.) 



FRENCH TREATY OF COMMERCE. 48 1 

diers would not dare to venture, for fear of being surrounded by the 
farmers. Before she got the herd well started, the soldiers reached 
the field, and called on her to stop, threatening to fire. 

" Fire away ! " cried the heroic woman, and the volley rattled around 
her, but providentially missing her, while it startled the cattle so that 
they dashed madly off. 

Little Joe fell to the ground in terror, but Mrs. Israel, catching 
him up, ran on, and putting up the bars secured her cattle, leaving 
the soldiers to return empty-handed. 



CHAPTER III. 

Campaign of 1778 — Alliance with France — North's Bills of Conciliation — Their Rejection- 
British Cruelty — Battle of Monmouth — Conduct of General Lee — Arrival of Admiral d'Es- 
taing's Fleet — Operations in Rhode Island — D'Estaing Engages the British and sails off — 
Retreat of Sullivan — Savage Cruelty of the English — Massacre at Wyoming — Massacre at 
Paoli — At Little Egg Harbor — ^The English capture Savannah — Clarke reduces Illinois. 

On the 6th of February, i 778, a treaty of commerce between France 
and the United States of America was signed by Franklin, Deane, 
and Lee, representing the United States of America, and Gerard, rep- 
resenting the French Government; a treaty of defensive alliance was 
also signed, in case England should declare war against France for 
thus recoa-nizingr her colonies. France agreed to maintain the lib- 
erty, sovereignty, and independence, absolute and unlimited, of the 
United States, as well in matters of government as of commerce. 

America thus took her place among the powers of the earth, by the 
acknowledgment of one of the greatest powers of Europe. 



482 THE MASSACRE AT QUENTIx's BRIDGE. 

In March, France communicated to England the commercial treaty. 
By April, North's conciliatory bills reached America and were widely 
scattered. They were sent to Washington, who laid them before 
Congress, urging that nothing short of independence should be 
thought of for a moment. Congress did not delay to express the 
opinion of the country. On the 22d of April, less than a month 
after the bills reached America, Congress unanimously resolved that 
the offers of the British ministry could not be accepted. 

How could they, indeed ? Never had the British shown, on Ameri- 
can soil, more bitter hatred, or more unrelenting and merciless cruelty. 
Washington and his little army lay at Valley Forge, enduring priva- 
tions that make us shudder to read, while the English in Philadelphia 
received plentiful supplies from the farmers who thought less of patriot- 
ism than of a good market. At last Washington sent General Wayne 
into New Jersey, to obtain provisions and horses. One of Wayne's 
parties was surprised at Quentin's Bridge, and many killed on the spot, 
others driven into a creek and left to drown, while man\-, after surren- 
dering, were bayoneted without mercy. The people of New Jersey, 
regarding the whole affair more as a murder than warfare, have always 
called it the massacre at Quentin's Bridge. Another party was sur- 
prised by night at Hancock's Bridge, and bayoneted in their beds, with 
the citizens of the place, no resistance being made, and noquartergiven. 
In the little battle at Crooked Billet, where General Lacey, though sur- 
prised, gallantly drew ofT his men, with merely the loss of his baggage^ 
the British soldiers not only bayoneted and hacked the wounded, but 
actually gathered buckwheat straw around them, and set them on fire, 
as they lay, too weak to try to extinguish the flames. The cruelties of 
the Indians at Coble's Hill, in Schoharie county, where Brant began 



TREATY WITH FRANCE RATIFIED. 4S3 

his work of blood, do not exceed in savage ferocity tliose of the civ- 
ilized soldiers of the English army. 

Such were the acts of the men who now offered what they called 
Conciliation Bills. 

Ten days after Congress rejected the insidious proposals, news 
reached Congress of the final step taken by France. The treaties were 
immediately ratified, and the news, as it spread through the country, 
was received with the wildest enthusiasm. Louis X\"I., and his 
minister Vergennes, were now regarded with an affection and respect 
that George III. and his ministers had so utterly failed to obtain. 

Valley Forge put on a garb of joy. The event was celebrated 
with appropriate religious ceremonies, and the day closed with an 
entertainment, enlivened by music and patriotic toasts. 

Congress, in an address to the people, warned them against the 
insidious offers of England, and roused their patriotism to new efforts 
and new sacrifices, worthy of the admiration of Europe, which would 
now watch them with a deeper interest than ever. In June, the Earl 
of Carlisle, with Eden and Johnstone, the English Commissioners, 
arrived, and sent their proposals to Congress. Its reply was prompt 
and firm. " The acts of the British Parliament, the commission from 
your sovereign, and your letter, suppose the people of these States 
to be subjects of the crown of Great Britain, and are founded on the 
idea of a dependence which is utterly inadmissible. 

" Congress are inclined to peace, notwithstanding the unjust claims 
from which this war ori'dnated, and the sava^je manner in which it 
has been conducted. They will, therefore, be ready to enter upon the 
consideration of a treaty of peace and commerce, not inconsistent with 
treaties already subsisting, wdien the King of Great Britain shall dem- 



484 GENERAL LEE's TREACHEROUS COURSE. 

onstrate a sincere disposition for that purpose." The baffled and 
disappointed commissioners, after endeavoring to buy some of the 
patriots, returned to England. 

According to one of the actors in the Revolution, Johnstone, in an 
interview with Mrs. Ferguson, of Philadelphia, desired her to men- 
tion to Joseph Reed, a member of the Continental Congress, that if 
he would promote the object of their commission, he might have any 
office in the colonies in the gift of his Britannic Majesty, and ten 
thousand pounds in hand. Spurning the idea. Reed told Mrs. Fer- 
guson that he was not worth purchasing, but such as he was, the 
Kingr of England was not rich enough to do it. 

The alliance between the United States and France misfht result 
at any moment in a war between England and the French king. If 
a French fleet blockaded the Delaware, the English army at Phila- 
delphia would be captured as certainly as Burgoyne's had been. 

Sir Henry Clinton succeeded Howe, at Philadelphia. All the 
merrymakings, festivities, mischianzas, and tournaments, with which 
the British officers had amused themselves and their Tory friends in 
that city, ceased. Anxiety became general. 

Clinton resolved to retreat across New Jersey to New York, but 
kept his own counsels wisely, endeavoring to mislead Washington as 
to his plans. Unfortunately, General Lee, next in command to Wash- 
ington, and long jealous of his chief, had, while a prisoner in the hands 
of the British, betrayed the cause of America, by recommending 
plans for its subjugation. He now continued the same treacherous 
course by thwarting Washington's plans. The American commander 
had at once divined Clinton's design, and proposed crossing at once 
into Jersey to prevent it. Lee argued against it, and so plausibly, that 



WASHINGTON RESULVEI) ON AN ENGAGEMENT. 485 

most of the generals sided with him. However, Washington began to 
interrupt and break up the roads that Clinton must take. At last, 
the English general's course was seen. He sent ofT in ships, the pro- 
vision-trains, heavy baggage, German troops, and loyalists. 

A little before dawn, on the 18th of June, the British army left Phil- 
adelphia, and commenced crossing the Delaware river at Gloucester 
Point, three miles below. Steadily the boats plied to and fro, the 
muskets glittering in the sunlight, as detachment after detachment 
landed. By ten o'clock, Pennsylvania, to her joy, beheld the last of 
her oppressors reach the Jersey shore. In a few hours Clinton was 
encamped at Haddonfield with his force, and an immense baggage train 
stretching for miles. 

"Washington's Ibrecast was justified. Although he had yielded to the 
opinion of his generals, he made every preparation for a rapid move- 
ment. Everything was ready. Eager for action, Wayne and Greene 
moved out of Valley Forge, and crossed the Delaware at Coryell's 
Ferry. Morgan, with his rifles, hastened onto reinforce Maxwell, who, 
witli the sturdy Jersey militia, was disputing the road with Clinton, of- 
ten compelling him to halt, and draw up in line. 

Again Washington held a council of war. Lee earnestly opposed 
attacking the enemy, and again his influence ])revailed. Clinton was 
pushing on to New Brunswick, his long line of troops and baggage- 
wagons stretching out for twelve miles, halting to build bridges and 
repair the roadways. 

His first object was the Raritan, but Washington was in his path; 
80 he struck towards Sandy Hook, by way of Monmouth. 

In spite ^f the decision of a new council of war, Washington 
resolved on a general engagement. As Lee opposed it, he gave 



486 WASHINGTOXS JUST ANGER. 

Lafayette comraaad of the advance : but Lee, soliciting the post, 
obtained it. 

Clinton saw before him the Heights of Middletown. Gain this and 
he could defy Washington. On the night of Saturday, June 27, the 
American commander ordered Lee to attack Clinton as soon as he 
moved, and thus prevent his gaining the heights ; he was instructed 
to send out parties to watch the enemy's movements. Success depend- 
ed on celerity and vigilance, Lee showed neither. 

Before he moved, Dickinson's New Jersey militia engaged the en- 
emy, and reported to Wa.shington. Again the aides-de-camp dashed 
down with orders to Lee, and Washington put his army in motion ; the 
men prepared for hot work under the broiling sun, throwing off their 
packs and coats. 

While Lee laj' idle, or pushed on uncertainly, Clinton, sending Knyp- 
hausen ahead with the baggage, came down from the high ground on 
which he had encamped, and, to cover the baggage, attacked Wayne, 
who had advanced upon him. He prepared also for a general attack 
on Lee. That officer now found himself confronted by the best English 
troops, and, to the disgust of his men, ordered a retreat. This was 
done in great confusion and indignation, no one knowing why or 
whither. 

Washington, pressing on, with his men full of ardor, came on retreat- 
ing soldiers. Unable to believe their stor}^ he threatened to have 
them whipped. He soon found it too true. He rode forward in a fury 
©f passion never before witnessed. He halted the troops as they came 
up and formed them in line for action. At last, Lee rode up, and 
Washington demanded the meaning of his conduct. Quick, furious 
words passed. 



MOLLIE PITCHER AT MONMOUTH. 48 / 

Washington formed his advance again, and asljed Lee whether he 
would retain coimuand or not. " Your orders shall be obeyed," said 
Lee ; •' 1 shall not be the first to leave the ground." 

Clinton, having driven in Lee, called back all the troops he could. 
Tlien the battle began. Lee endeavored now gallantly to hold his 
ground ; but under a terrible cannonade the English moved steadily 
on. The Americans, after a stubborn fight, gave way ; a stand was 
made at a hedgerow, and the American artillery sweeps their line. But 
the cavalry and a bayonet charge again break the Americans. Here 
a woman roused the patriots to still greater exertion. Marj^ Pitcher 
had accompanied her husband into action. He fell beside his cannon, 
killed by one of the enemy's balls. It was about to be abandoned, 
when Marj', who had come up with a pail of water for her husband, 
saw him dead. She seized the rammer and vowed to avenge his death. 
She handled her cannon all day with skill and courage, which won her 
a sergeantcy and half-pay for life. But no effort could hold the posi- 
tion. Lee I'ell back on the main army, and Washington formed in a 
woody heiglit, Stirling on his left and Greene on his right. Wayne, 
posted ia an orchard on a height behind a barn, met the first onset of 
the British veterans, as he had done in the morning. On came the 
grenadiers under Munckton. but, as they crossed the hedge, Waynes 
deadl}' fire sent them back. Then Monekton roused his men for a 
bold decisive charge, and Wayne, telling his men to pick the officers, 
lay as silent as the foe who came so gallantly on. At last the sheet of 
fire bursts forth ; Monekton is down, every officer is down, but the 
grenadiers rally around their commander. A furious struggle ensues ; 
but the grenadiers are hurled back, and Monekton is borne to the rear 
of the American line to die. 



488 GENERAL LEE SUSPENDED FROM COMMAND. 

Clinton's attack in all points failed. He threw his main body on 
Lord Stirling, but the American left stood like a rock, aud Clinton, 
shattered by the artillery, fell back ; then he formed again and moved 
upon the American right. There Greene met him manfully, and du 
Plessis Mauduit with hisartillerj' took him in the flank, so that Clinton 
gave up and fell back to a strong position, with woods and morasses on 
his flank and a narrow pass in front, Washington prepared to attack 
him, but night came on, and during the darkness Clinton stole rapidly 
away, leaving his wounded on the tield, and hurried on to Sandy 
Hook. 

With his men overcome by heat and exertion, Washington deem- 
ed it unwise to pursue the enemy and risk another action. Lee had 
deprived him of the opportunity of capturing the whole British force. 

While the British ships bore Clinton's well-beaten force to New 
York, Washington marched northward, and, cros.sing the Hudson, en- 
•camped at White Plains. 

Such was the hard-fought battle of Monmouth, on one of the hottest 
summer days, where men dropped dead from heat alone. 

Lee demanded a trial, and was found guiltj- of misbehavior before 
the enemy, and disrespect to his Commander-in-chief. In consequence 
he was suspended from his command for a year, and never rejoined 
the army. 

Clinton had moved none too soon. Early in July, at the very time 
that he reached New York, a fine French fleet, commanded by the 
Count d'Estaing, appeared off the coast of Virginia. He had sailed 
from Toulon in April, intending to prevent the English from escaping 
out of Philadelphia. Contrary winds had delayed him. Finding that 
the bird had flown, he sailed at once to Sandy Hook. Here, none but 



GENERAL SULLIVAN DESERTED BV THE FRENCH P^LEET. 489 

Tory pilots could be found, aud they persuaded him that a large Brit- 
ish fleet lay inside, and that the bar was dangerous. Lord Howe 
drew up his little fleet inside Sandy Hook, aud gathered all the ves- 
sels he could find in the bay so as to give the appearance of a large 
fleet, and d'Estaing, completely outwitted, sailed ofi". 

The next operation was the reduction of Rhode Island, in which 
d'Estaing, by sea, and General Sullivan, with a detachment from Gene- 
ral Washington's army, were to co-operate. D'Estaing with his fleet 
occupied all the channels, but Sullivan had been delayed. On the 9th 
of August, while fretting at this loss of time, sails were seen in the 
horizon, and ere long, Howe's fleet, which had received a considerable 
reinforcement, appeared in sight. The impatient French admiral, 
though Sullivan was just ready to begin the operations, and the Eng- 
lish garrison, under General Pigot, was a certain prize, sailed out to 
meet Lord Howe. A great deal of manoeuvring followed, and before 
they could come to action a violent storm came on which dispersed 
both fleets. Howe sailed back to New York and d'Estaing to New- 
port, both with fleets in a shattered condition. Sullivan had already 
begun the siege, but the storm did great damage to his tents, arras, 
and ammunition. When d'Estaing returned he was ready to attack 
the English lines, but to his dismay the French admiral announced his 
intention of proceeding to Boston. In vain General Greene and 
General Lafayette endeavored to alter his determination, but all was 
fruitless. He sailed off", and his conduct excited general indignation. 
Sullivan, deserted by the fleet, had to abandon the siege and commence 
a retreat. Pigot pursued him, and a very hard-fought battle ensued 
at Quaker Hill, in which the loss was severe on both sides. Sullivan at 
last repulsed his assailants, and was thus enabled to reach the main-land 



490 THE OUTRAGE IN WYOMING VALLEY. 

just before Clinton arrived with four thousand men and a light fleet to 
the relief of Newport. Finding that Sullivan had escaped him, Olia- 
ton sent Grey with the fleet to ravage the coast ; and in carrying out 
the savage order, this man of blood, as he had already shown himself, 
destroyed all the shipping in Acusbnet River, burned Bedford and 
Fairhaven, and coiinnitted great ravages in Martha's Vineyard. 

Washington, with the prudence and moderation which were so char- 
acteristic of him, did all in his power to smooth over the disagreement 
at Newport, and calm the general resentment. It was all the more ne- 
cessary, as Gerard had just arrived as Minister Plenipotentiary from 
the French King, the first ambassador to the new republic. 

And now ensued a series of bloody tragedies, far different from the 
battle-fields, where disciplined armies meet according to the usages of 
war between civilized nations. Indian massacres and massacres that ri- 
valed those of the furious savage, were now to leave an ineffaceable 
stigma on the British name. 

Wyoming, in the valley of the Susquehanna, was a spot whose beau- 
ties have been written in prose and verse, so that its name is familiar 
to all. Its fertile soil, its rich beauty, its adaptation to every want, 
had drawn to its bosom a band of industrious settlers, and nowhere in 
the land were tliere a finer set of American yeomen. As the Indians 
had shown some hostility, forts were thrown up, and in August, 1776, 
Congress ordered two companies to be raised for the defense of the 
valley. In 1778, tidings came of a British expedition intended to lay- 
waste this beautiful tract. The people called in vain on Congress and 
Connecticut, to which State they were still reckoned to belong. Con- 
gress did at last make an effort, but so ill-managed that it was useless. 

On the morning of the 30th of June, 1778, Colonel John Butler, with 



THE BRAVE DEFEXSE OF COLONEL BUTLER. 49 1 

four hundred Tories and six hundred Indians, chiefly Senecas. under 
Grengwatoh, entered the head of the valley and posted themselves in 
ambush. 

The river was lined on both sides with little forts, to which the peo- 
ple retreated for safety. From Fort Jenkins, the first of these, is- 
sued forth this joyous morning seven men and a boy to their daily 
toil, utterly unsuspicious of danger. 

Towards evening the work of death begun ; the little party were sur- 
rounded, but bravely defended their lives ; all were killed or taken 
but the boy, John Harding, who threw himself into the river, and lying 
under the willows that fringed the bank, with his mouth only above 
the water, escaped notice. 

The rattle of musketry and the yells of the savage foe gave the 
alai'in through the valley. The settlers rallied, and put themselves 
under the conimaiul of Colonel Zebulon Butler, a cousin of the Tory 
leader. Forty Fort became the post of the Americans. John Butler 
demanded its surrender, but it was sternly refused. Zebulon Butler 
would have held his post till aid came, but the younger men were eager 
to go out and meet the enemy, whom they could see plundering and 
ravaging. At last the gates were thrown open, and the little force of 
three hundred, old men and young, men of rank and plough-boys, all 
shouldering their muskets, marched out. Near the blazing Fort Winter- 
moor, which the Tories had fired, the two parties met. The Tories and 
Indians lay flat on the ground, awaiting the American approach. Ad- 
dressing his men in words fitted to rouse their courage, Colonel Zebulon 
approached to within a hundred yards of the enemy. Here the firing be- 
gan, and for an hour raged furiously. Then the Indians gained a swamp 
and threw the American left into disorder. In its endeavor to re-form 



492 ONLV FIVE I'RISUNERS LEFT ALIVE. 

the coflfusioQ increased, and Grengwatoh rushing forward with his 
Senecas, the Americans met this hand to hand charge fighting desper- 
ate! j. But the right was also broiieu. There was no hope but in a 
prompt retreat, and the Indians gained their rear to prevent this. 
The onh" place of crossing tlie river was far below. Many fell in the 
attempt to reach it. In this bloody conflict Henry Pensil, a Tory, 
slew his own brother, who bogged for niercj'. Others were 
butchered by neighbors and men who had often received favors 
at their liands. Those who fell into the hands of the Indians under- 
went every form of cruelty that their ingenuit}- could devise. Esther, 
a woman chief, with her own hand tomahawked sixteen prisoners who 
were ranged in a circle, surrounded bj' Indians. Two others in the 
circle, Lebbeus Hammond and Joseph Elliott, burst through the war- 
riors and escaped almost miraculously. When night put an end to 
the pursuit and massacre, two hundred and twenty-seven American 
scalps were dangling from the waists of the Tories and Indians, whom 
the English authorities had sent on this work of blood. Only five 
l)risoners remained alive. 

Manj^, seizing a little provisions from their homes, fled to the woods, 
in hopes of reaching other settlements, bearing everywhere the terri- 
ble tale of the Wyoming massacre. 

Colonel Denison, with a small body of those who escaped, regained 
Forty Fort, but when Colonel John Butler demanded its surrender, 
he yielded, no longer able to hold out. Colonel Zebulon and his 
Continentals having retired, John Butler declared distinctly that they 
were to be given up to the Indians. 

The Tory leader, after destroying the houses and driving off the live 
stock, retired from the valley. 



DANIEL BOONE's CAPTIVITY AND ESCAPE. 493 

This was not the only Indian raid on the American frontiers. Daniel 
Boone, with a party of twenty-seven, was captured, and carried off by 
the Indians to Chillicothe, and then to Detroit. He was finally adopted 
by the Shawuees, but in June, 1778, effected his escape, and making a 
journey of a hundred and sixty miles, with no provision except on« 
meal, which he had concealed in his blanket, reached Boonesborough, 
just as the Indians were preparing to attack it. He found the fort utterly 
uufit for defense. His wife and children, whom he yearned to see, were no 
longer there. Thinking him dead, Mrs. Boone had gone back to her 
father's house in North Carolina. Boone at once called the people together 
and told them of their imminent danger. Every man sprang to work. 
The fort was put in repair, with new bastions, and stout gates ; stock 
was brought in, provisions and ammunition obtained, a garrison formed, 
and parties sent out on a scout. 

It was none too soon. On the 8th of August, a party of Canadians 
and Indians, commanded by Captain Duquesne, demanded their surren- 
der. The answer came back : " We are determined to defend our fort 
as long as a man of us lives." Yet Duquesne lured out Boone and eight 
others under pretense of treating for peace, and basely endeavored to 
seize them after articles had been signed. Then the attack began in 
earnest, but so ill did the enemj" manage that they soon lost courage, 
and on the 20th of August retired. 

Then Boone plodded his solitary way to North Carolina, where his 
wife and children welcomed him as one risen from the dead. Some- 
what later, Colonel Hartle,y led an American force into the Indian 
country on the Susquehanna, where he ravaged their towns, but this 
ohIj drew the Indians down on Cherry Valley. 

A small Continental force was there under Colonel Alden, a New 



494 CONGRESS THREATENS TO RETALIATE. 

England officer, little used to Indian fighting. The post was surprised 
by Walter Butler, and his Indian and Tory demons. A general massa- 
cre took place. Whole families were swept away, the assailants sparing 
neither age nor sex. Thirty-two of the inhabitants, ])rincipally women 
and children, and eleven Continental soldiers were killed, and all the 
houses were burned, with their barns and stores of grain and hay, leav- 
ing nearly two hundred people to perish or starve, without food or 
shelter ; some of them families always zealous for the roj-al cause. 

The English regulars were now jealous of their Indian allies, and 
soon showed that thej- could equal them in cruelty. A party of !New 
Jersey Light Horse lay at Old Tappan, or Harrington, on the Hacken- 
sack River. Against them, Cornwallis sent the butcher General Grey, 
while other detachments assailed other parties. The dragoons were 
surprised in their beds, and while incapable of resistance, and begging 
for compassion, were butchered in cold blood. Similar cruelty was 
shown in the surprise of Count Pulaski's legion, at Little Egg Harbor, 
in October, where the English were led by a deserter. 

The English Government approved and encouraged these atrocities, 
hoping to terrify the Americans into submission, but the result was just 
the reverse. It filled the whole country with a deep-seated hatred of 
the British nation ; and many who had still hesitated, and had hitherto 
clung to the British side, seeing that their lives and property were at 
the mercy of these cruel mercenaries, heartily joined their fellow coun- 
trymen. Congress formally announced its intention to retaliate for 
these cruelties if they w'ere not stopped. 

Admiral Byron, who had succeeded Lord Howe, attempted to bring 
d'Estaing to action, but the French admiral, escaping out of Boston, 
sailed to the West Indies. An English fleet, bearing a considerable 



ENGLISH ESTABLISHED IN GEORGIA. 495 

militaiy force, followed him, and Sir Henry Clinton, seizing the oppor- 
tunity of the absence of a French fleet, dispatched Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel Campbell with Commodore Hyde Parker to attack the Southern 
States, and on the 23d of December, Campbell occupied Tybee Island, 
and calling ou Governor Prevost of Florida for aid, prepared to at- 
tack Savannah. 

General Robert Howe, the American commander, could muster oaly 
seven hundred men, but he marched from Sunbury and took up a 
strong position to defend Savannah. Campbell amused him with a 
feigned attack in front, while a part of his force, under Sir James 
Baird, guided b}' a negro, turned his right flank and attacked him 
from the rear. Tlien Campbell began the attack in front with 
vigor. Howe's right wing was captured almost entire, while the centre 
managed to retreat with severe loss. The left wing, in attempting to 
retreat through a swamp, lost many, who perished in the treacherous 
ooze. The city, with all its stores and arms, and most of the Ame-ri- 
can force, were thus captured. 

In less than ten days the enemy was firmly established in Georgia, 
where the people, recent settlers, had not moved promptly with the 
other colonies in the struggle for freedom, and had of late shown little 
inclination to respect the orders of Congress ; now they flocked by 
hundreds to the King's ofQcers, and made their peace at the expense 
of their patriotism. Thus Georgia became, in a few months, one of 
King George's most loyal possessions. 

Previous to this disaster, Wa.shington had ordered General Lincoln 
to take charge of the Southern Department, and as the campaign for 
the year was clearly over, prepared to go into winter-quarters on 
both sides of the Hudson, his line extending from Danbury to the 



49<3 FIRST NAVAL ACTION OF THE REVOLUTION. 

Delaware, completely encircling New York, and so arranged, that 
each detachment could be easily supported. 

We have mentioned the operations of the French fleet, but have 
said nothing hitherto of the efforts of America on the sea. 

The Colonies had never maintained any navy, or possessed men-of- 
war. During the operations against Canada, New England had fitted 
out vessels, but such vessels were utterly unfitted to cope with the 
mighty navy of England. 

What was done on the sea was the work of single vessels, either 
fitted out as men-of-war, under the authority of Congress, or privateers. 

The first naval action of the Revolution took place off Machias, in 
May, 1775. 

The Margaretta, an armed schooner in the King's service, lay there, 
protecting two sloops which were loading with lumber for Boston. 

The news from Lexington had aroused the people, and such at- 
tempts were made to seize the captain of the Margaretta that he drop- 
ped down the river. Joseph Wheaton and Dennis O'Brien resolved 
to seize her. They surprised one of the .sloops, and were joined by 
Jeremiah O'Brien, an athletic, gallant man, well known in the place. All 
present volunteered when he took command, and the sloop, with a gen- 
tle breeze from the northwest, sailed down on the schooner, her crew 
strangely armed with some twenty fowling-pieces, thirteen pitchforks, 
and a dozen axes. 

Captain Moore saw danger in its approach, and at once hoisted sail ; 
but, in rounding a bold point of land, the schooner carried away her 
boom. But he got a new one from a passing vessel and stood out to 
sea. The sloop kept up the chase and soon overhauled the Margaret- 
ta. Moore opened a heavy fire on the sloop, killing one man, but the 



A NAVAL VICTORY FOLLOWED BY DEFEAT. 497 

lire was returned, killing the Margaretta's helmsman and clearing her 
ili'ck. The sloop now ran so close to the schooner that her bowsprit was 
lust in the shrouds, and the Maine marksmen were pouring in deadly 
volleys. Moore fought well, sending grenades into the sloop till he 
was shot down. With his fall the battle ended. The schooner sur- 
rendered, the English flag was lowered, and the first naval victory 
was gained for the United Colonies of America. 

Thus was a well-equipped English vessel taken by a motley crew of 
men from the fields, with fowling-pieces and pitchforks. 

During Arnold's operations on Lake Champlain, in October, 1776, 
quite a naval action took place between two little fleets on the lake. 
Arnold had three schooners, a sloop, and five gondolas, poorly armed, 
and equipped by men ignorant alike of seamanship and gunnery. 
General Carleton brought down seven hundred men from Montreal and 
also equipped a fleet. 

Arnold anchored his little fleet across the narrow channel, between 
Valcour's Island and the shore south of Plattsburg. Early on the 
morning of the 11 Ih of October the eneni}' appeared, and sweeping 
around the island, bore down on Arnold's fleet from the south. Their 
force consisted of a ship, a snow, three schooners, and smaller craft, 
well manned by sailors and marines from the royal vessels in the St. 
Lawrence. 

The action began, and notwithstanding the odds against the Ameri- 
cans, was desperately contested till darkness closed the comljat. In 
this battle the Royal Savage, one of Arnold's vessels, was so badly 
cut up that she was run ashore and fired, and a gondola sunk soon 
after. 

Seeing it impossible to sustain another action, Arnold resolved to 



498 A NAVV ESTABLISHED BY LAW. 

escape with his vessels, all of tbein badly crippled. He passed unper- 
ceived through the English fleet and nearly reached Crown Point, 
when a southerly wind stopped his course. A sudden change enabled 
the British vessels to move first, and they bore down on Arnold's 
squadron. Near Split Rock the battle was renewed. The Washing- 
ton soon struck, and General Waterbury and his men were captured. 
The Congress fought till she was a perfect wreck, when she was run 
up a creek and fired, with five gondolas. Of the little fleet only two 
schooners, a sloop, two galleys, and a gondola escaped. 

The skill, bravery, and obstinate resistance of G-eueral Arnold and 
his men, in this new stj'le of warfare, against a vastly superior force 
of experienced men, was hailed as a great achievement on the part 
of Americans. It was clear that they could become good sailors as 
well as good soldiers. 

Congress, on the 13th of December, 1775, established a navy. Th8 
frigate Randolph, a fine new vessel of thirty-two guns, under Captain 
Biddle, was one of the first to take the sea with the flag of the United 
States. 

After making many captures, he sailed from Charleston in February, 
1778, with a squadron, comprising the Randolph, General Moultrie, 
Poll}', Notre Dame, and Fair American. The object was, to engage 
the Garysfort, an English frigate, which, with two smaller vessels, had 
been cruising off Charleston. He failed to find the British squadron, 
but fell in with the Yarmouth, a sixty-four gun vessel commanded by 
Cap'tain Yincent. The action opened, and the Randolph kept up a 
tremendous fire, pouring in three broadsides to the Yarmouth's one. 
and the smaller vessels doing their part well for about twenty minutes, 
when Captain Nicholas Biddle of the Randolph was wounded in th© 



CAPTAIN JOHN BARRy's GALLANT FIGHT. 499 

tliigh, and almost at the same instant the Randolph blew rap. Of her 
whole crew none escaped bnt four men, whom the Yarmouth picked 
up five days after, floating on a piece of wreck. During this time they 
had managed to sustain life by some rain-water, which they caught in 
a blanket. 

After this disaster, the rest of the American squadron made good 
their retreat. 

Late in September, 1778, the United States frigate Raleigh, of thirty 
guns, commanded by the gallant Captain John Bariy, sailed from Boston, 
convoying two vessels. She was soon chased by two English men-of- 
war, the Experiment, of fifty guns, and the Unicorn, of twenty-two. On 
Sunday afternoon, September 27th, the Unicorn overhauled Barry 
and the battle began. Barry kept up the fight till night-fall, gaining 
such advantages over the Unicorn that she would have sti'uck had 
not the Experiment come up. Against this desperate odds Barry 
struggled for half an hour, when he resolved to make for land. He 
ran his ship aground on Fox Island, in Penobscot Bay, but before he 
could get olf his sick and wounded and fire her, the English captured 
her, with a few men still in her. Barrv's courage and abililv were 
highly approved in this well-fought action. 

Arnold was not the onh^ New England officer who showed naval 
ability. During the operations in Narraganset Bay, the English, to 
close the East Passage, stationed there a fine stout schooner, the Pigot, 
well armed and equipped, and commanded by Lieutenant Durdap of 
the Royal Navy. As she barred the entrance she proved a great annoy- 
ance to the American array, so that Major Talbot resolved to capture 
her. He fitted out the Hawk, a small sloop, and with sixt}- men 
drifted down at night past the forts, then hoisting sail stood for the 



5C)0 AN IMPORTANT BLOW STRUCK IN THE WEST. 

Pigot. Just as the sentries discovered her, the Hawk's jibboora tore 
away the boarding-netting of the schooner Lieutenant Helms and fifteea 
men of the Rhode Island line boarded the Pigot ; at one point, the 
crew of the Hawk at another. The British crew fled below. Dunlap, 
roused from his berth, attempted to defend his vessel, hut he was dis- 
armed and secured. Without the loss of a man on either side the 
Pigot was captured, and on the 29th of October, 1778, the Hawk and 
her prize sailed into Stoniugton. Congress promoted the gallant Tal- 
b )t to a "Lieutenant-Colonelcy for his naval exploit. 

While the main armies were contending on the Atlantic coast, an 
important blow had been struck in the West. Lieutenant-Colonel 
George Rogers Clark, under a commission from Patrick Henry, led 
•an expedition to reduce the Illinois country. Recruiting a little army 
among the frontier men from Pittsburg to Carolina, lie started down 
the Ohio as far as the Falls, where Louisville has since been 
built. 

From this point he began his march on Kaskaskia, and by night on 
the 4th of July completely surprised it, bursting into the fort and se- 
curing the commander, Rocheblave, without losing a man or shedding 
a drop of blood. He at once convened the inhabitants, and by the in- 
fluence of the Rev. Mr. Gibault, the priest of the place, won them all 
to his side, and thus was secure from Indian attack, as the red men 
still were greatly attached to the French. Many of the French set- 
tlers even entered his ranks, and he thus was able to take posses- 
sion of Cahokia and Yincennes. 

Many of the Indian tribes came in to treat of peace, although some 
gained to the English side showed hostilitv. Tow.irds these Clark 
dcica wiiu grenv lesoiuiion and boldness, lie opened friendly inter- 



thp: garrison of two surrendered. 501 

otjurse with Leyba, the Spaui-sh commander on the other side of the 
Mississippi, for that was then Spanish territory. 

The English were thus completely baffled, but when an expedition from 
Pittsburg against Detroit, under General Mcintosh, failed. Governor 
Hamilton, the English commander at Detroit, resolved to make an 
effort to regain the Illinois country. 

He advanced on Vincennes, then held by Captain Helm and one 
man. Planting a cannon in the open gate of the fort, Helm called 
oat, " Halt !" as Hamilton approached. The British commander de- 
manded the surrender of the place. " No man shall enter until I 
know the terms," was Helm's firm reply. Hamilton answered, "You 
shall have the honors of war," and then the fort surrendered with its 
garrison of two. 

Hamilton next advanced towards Kaskaskia, but did not dare to at- 
tack Clark, although he had eight hundred British and Indians. Pie 
even dismissed most of his Indians, sending some to ravage the front- 
ier. Clark at once marched on Vincennes, and, after a vigorous 
fight, captured it, with Hamilton and all his remaining force. The 
British commander was sent to Virginia, where he was treated with 
great severity, in consequence of his cruelty to American prisoners 
and his instigation of Indian atrocities. 

With a little reinforcement Clark would have reduced Detroit also, 
and completely annihilated English influence in the West. As it was, 
his coolness, bravery, and singular judgment in dealing with the 
French and Indians, made his campaign a complete success. 



CHAPTER IV. 

CampaigB of 1779 — Operations in the South — Georgia — Invasion of South Carolina — Battle 
of Stono Ferrj' — The British invade Connecticut — Storming of Stony Point — Sullivan's Expe- 
dition against the Six Nations — Penobscot — Paulus Hook — Commodore Paul Jones — The 
great Fight between the Bon Homme Richard and the Serapis — Siege of Savannah by d'Es- 
taing and Lincoln— Spain joins France — Continental Money. 

The opening of the new year saw the British under General Pre- 
vost in full possession of Georgia. General Lincoln strained every 
nerve to save South Carolina. He appealed urgently to the patriot- 
ism of the citizens. He at last gathered, at Purysburg, on the Savan- 
nah, a force of three thousand men, equal in numbers to Prevost's force, 
but totally undisciplined men, most of them being raw levies. 

"With all his superiority Prevost hesitated to enter South Carolina, 
as the country was a dangerous one for militar}- movements. At last, 
however, he sent Major Gardner to seize Port Royal. General Moul- 
trie was at once sent to confront him. About four o'clock in the 
afternoon of the 3d of February, he came in sight of the enem3\ 
With his men formed in a strong position across the road, he awaited 
Gardner's approach. For three quarters of an hour a sharp action en- 
sued, the militia, utterly uncovei'ed, standing their ground manfull}'. 
At last a well-directed ball dismounted Gardner's only field-piece, and 
the enemy began to move off, leaving part of their wounded, and 
losing in the pursuit several men and arras. 

This little affair roused the courage of the Americans, but Prevost 
had agents actively at work among the Tories in South Carolina. 
Gained by his promises, a party of Tories under Colonel Boyd began. 
their march towards Augusta to join the British, marking their jjath- 
way by robbery, violence, and devastation. 



GREAT HOPES UTTERLY BLASTED. 503 

Colonel Andrew Pickens took the field to meet him, and also to iii« 
tercept the Tory Colonel Hamilton of North Carolina. "While watch- 
ing the latter, Boyd managed to cross the Savannah. Pickens gave 
chase, and while Boyd's men were busj-at Kettle Creek slaughtering a 
drove of cattle which they had just captured from the plantations, 
Pickens came down in perfect military order. The fire of the senti- 
nels startled the Tories from their false security. Boyd was no coward. 
He rallied his men and retreated in tolerable order, but Pickens press- 
ed steadil}' on. When, after an hour's struggle, Boyd fell dangerously 
wounded, his whole party, forty of whom were killed and many wound- 
ed, fled in all directions ; a small party reached the British camp. 
Others surrendered and begged for mercy. Some of these were tried 
for treason, and five leaders among them were executed. This blow 
completely disheartened the Carolina Tories, who made no further at- 
tempts on any large scale to aid the British. The hopes raised by these 
successes were blasted by the utter defeat of General Ashe, with the 
North Carolina militia and Georgia Continentals. He allowed himself 
to be surprised and routed by Prevost at Briar Creek, on the 3d of 
March. This event deprived General Lincoln of one-fourlh of his 
forces, secured the British the possession of Georgia, and opened com- 
munication between them and the Tories and Indians. 

To cover Augusta, where the Georgia legislature were to meet, 
Lincoln moved up the river, leaving General Moultrie to watch Pre- 
vost, who he did not suppose would make any important move. Pre- 
vost, however resolved to capture Charleston before Lincoln could 
come to its relief. He drove Moultrie before him, that gallant officer 
in vain appealing for militia to enable him to engage the enemy. 

On the 11th of May, Prevost, by rapid marches, crossed the Ashley 



204 ENGLISH POLICY OF RAVAGE AXD PLUNDER. 

River, and summoned Charleston to surrender. Governor Rutledge 
gained time by negotiations, and meanwliile, Lincoln, convinced at last 
of Prevost's design, was hastening to relieve the capital of South Caro- 
lina. Prevost, who had intercepted a letter from General Lincoln, be- 
gan his retreat, making his way to the islands on the coast, where ves- 
sels could reach him. 

On the 20th of June, Lincoln attacked seven hundred British troops, 
■^•ell posted at Stono Ferry. The Highlanders, outside the enemy's 
vvorks, met the American attack with great gallantry, and were almost 
annihilated. Then Lincoln attacked the strong English lines, but rein- 
forcements, whicli Moultrie was too late to intercept, gave the British a 
superiority, and Lincoln withdrew. 

This action, however, hastened the withdrawal of the British forces 
from South Carolina : but they bore with them plunder of all kinds, 
taken from the country through which they passed. They pillaged 
everything, and in this exceeded anything of the kind in the whole 
war. Slaves were carried ofif in droves, and then sent to the West In- 
dies and soijj. 

This was now the policy of the British Government. They seemed 
to have felt that they must lose America, but they determined to 
leave it, if possible, a desert. The war was to be carried on by rav- 
aging and plunder. 

So in May, Sir George Collyer, commanding the British fleet, 
took on board eighteen hundred men under General Matthews, to rav- 
age Virginia. Anchoring his vessels in Hampton Roads, Collyer landed 
General Matthews at Portsmouth. From this place, small parties were 
sent out to ravage and plunder naval and military stores ; vessels of all 
kinds, and property of every kind were carried off or wantonly destroyed. 



CONNECTICUT RAVAGED AND PLUNDERED. 505 

lu a few days, a fertile country became one vast scene of smoking 
Tuins. When tlie people remonstrated, ihcy were told: "We are 
commanded to visit the same treatment upon all who refuse to obey the 
King." 

Washington, meanwhile, had been unable to undertake any import- 
4uit movement. His army was small. Congress did little to increase 
the force, or even to clothe and pay the officers and men actually in 
tservioe, many of whom were suffering greatly. People generally 
seemed to think that the French would do everything, and a general 
apatiiv prevailed. Not even militia organizations were kept up to pre- 
vent the constant English raids and incursions. 

While things were in this condition. Sir Henry Clinton, on the 1st 
of June, moved up the Hudson, and attacking the unfinished American 
works at Stony Point, captured them, taking the whole garrison prison- 
■ers of war. He at once put Stony Point and Verplanck's Point in 
a strong state of defense. It was his intention to attack West Point, 
but Washington was on the alert to preserve that position, which com- 
manded tlie river. 

Unable to effect his object, Clinton resolved to ravage and plunder 
•Connecticut, as he had done Virginia. Again Sir George Collyer's fleet 
sailed out of New York, this time bearing a force under Major-General 
Tryon, and General Garth. 

On Monday, the 5th of July, these forces landed at East and West 
Haven, and prepared to attack the city of New Haven. Some Yale 
students and other young men drove back Garth's advance, but the 
British general advanced to West Bridge. There he met so stubborn 
an oppposition that he retired, and, cro.ssing higher up, entered New 
Haven by another road. Tryon met a sturdy opposition to his landing, 



506 FAIRFIELD AND NORWALK BURNED. 

but finally disembarked, and marched on New Haven. The British gen- 
eral threatened to burn the city, but after plundering the inhabitants of all 
their valuables, and destroying much furniture that they could not re- 
move, and all the public stores, they marched down next day to Rock- 
fort, and re-embarked. 

On the 8th, they landed at Fairfield, and, meeting little opposition,, 
entered the town, from which most of the people had fled. Those who 
remained were subjected to the worst brutalities, and then the town 
was set on fire. Two meeting-houses, eighty-three dwellings, forty- 
seven storehouses, with the schools and county-house, were all de- 
stroyed. 

Norwalk was the next point of attack. As Tryon marched on this- 
place, Captain Stephen Betts, with onlj- fifty Continentals, met him, 
and handled him so roughly that he did not venture to cross the 
bridge and enter the place till Garth came up. Here the work of 
destruction was renewed. More than two hundred houses and stores, 
with barns, mills, and shipping, were ruthlessly destroyed. 

Such was the notorious expedition against Connecticut, of which the 
peoi)le of America have ever retained the most intense indignation. 

While the British were engaged in these disgraceful operations, 
Washington, after personall}" reconnoitering Stony Point, determined to 
wrest it from the hands of the enemy. He confided this important ex- 
pedition to one of his best generals, Anthonj' Waj'ne. 

That general made it one of the most memorable exploits in Ameri- 
can wars, and as long as the history of the country is read, men will 
commemorate Wayne's capture of Stony Point. 

The place which bears the name is a rough little promontory jutting 
out into the Hudson, about forty miles above New York. The river 



MAD ANTHONY WAYNE AT STONY POINT. 507 

washes nearl}^ the whole rocky side, and a deep marsh coTers the rest. 
Through this marsh there was but one passage-way, though, where it 
skirted the river, a sandy beach was seen at low tide. 

Wayne cautiously approached the British position, and forming his 
men into two cohirans, moved on, with forlorn hopes of Pennsylvania 
troops at the head of each column. To distinguish his men in the night 
attack, each soldier stuck a piece of white paper in his hat. At half- 
past eleven o'clock at night, the two columns, in perfect silence, ad- 
vanced. At a little stream they separated, one to take the eastern 
side, the other the western side of the works. Between them. Major 
Murfey, with some North Carolina light troops, made an open attack. 
The English, alarmed by an outpost at the water's edge, manned the 
works. Grape and musketry poured down on Murfey's advancing col- 
umn, but from the American line not a sound was heard. Through 
the marsh and water, over abattis and obstructions of every kind, 
Wayne's grim, resolute men, with fixed bayonets, pushed steadily on. 
The darkness is lighted up by volley after voile}', but they never stag- 
ger or waver. They reach the parapet, and creeping through or clam- 
bering over, are inside the works. Both columns at the same instant rais- 
ed the appointed cry: "The fort's our own!" Colonel Fleury, the 
first to enter the fort, struck the British standard with his own hand. The 
garrison maintained a desperate hand-to-hand fight, but at last, seeing 
their numbers thinning, and the Americans in complete possession, they 
surrendered. General Wayne, wounded in the head, had fallen outside 
the works, and was now brought in bleeding, but victorious, to receive 
the submission of the British commander. 

The guns were at once run out and pointed at Fort Lafayette, and 
the English vessels in the river. They were startled at this first notice 



/ 

J 



508 STUBBORN FIGHT WITH BRAN'T. 

of a change of owners in Stony Point, and the ship' raadr all haste 
t'd escape down the river. 

Wayne's exploit deprived the enemy of nearly seven hundred men, 
besides ordnance and stores to an immense amount. 

Tliis achievement arrested Clinton in his devastation of Connecticut, 
He hastened back to New York, and dispatched troops to relieve Col- 
onel Webster in Fort Lafayette ; McDougal, when dispatched by 
Wayne to reduce that post, having moved too late. Washington, find- 
ing Stony Point alone of no importance to hold, evacuated it, when 
Clinton again posted a strong garrison there. 

Not far off, on the 22d of July, a stubborn fight occurred between 
Brant with his savage warriors and a small force. Brant had plunder- 
ed and burned Minisink : Colonel Hathorn, of Warwick, with others, 
rashly pursued him. The adroit Indian divided his antagonists by a 
stratagem. Eighty occupied the sununit of a hill. These Brant now 
attacked. Sheltered behind trees and rocks, the Americans kept up 
a constant and telling fire, from ten in the morning till late in the 
afternoon. Then a brave fellow who held the key of the position fell. 
Brant saw his advantage and pushed in, attacking the little American 
party on all sides. They fled, and, pursued by the savage foe, were 
slaughtered without mercy, as were the wounded, who had been re- 
moved and placed under the care of a surgeon. 

One only received quarter, who, it is said, made a Masonic signal 
of distress, which Brant, himself a Freemason, respected. 

In the Northward again, the clang of battle resounded. Colonel 
Maclean, from Halifax, stationed himself on the Penobscot. A fleet 
was at once fitted out under Commodore Saltonstall, bearing four 
thousand militia, under Grenerals Lovell and Wadsworth, to dislodge 



"LIGHT HORSE IIAKRv's" EXPLOIT. 5O9 

him. A British fleet impeded the landing, but Lovell at last began 
the siege of Maclean's works. He erected his battery, and for a fort- 
night kept up a most vigorous cannonade, and preparations were made 
to assault the fort. But suddenly intelligence came that Sir George 
Collyer was approaching, with a large naval force. Lovell abandoned 
the siege, and embarked all his troops. As he stood out to sea, Col- 
Iyer's fleet hove in sight. Flight was no longer possible. The Warren, 
a fine new frigate, and fourteen other vessels, were either taken or 
blown up. Tiie transports managed to land the troops on the wild, 
uncultivated coast, and many men perished, as without provisions they 
endeavored, through the dense woods of Maine, to reach the towns 
and villages. 

Such was the disastrous result of a well-appointed expedition fitted 
out by Massachusetts. 

A brilliant feat of arms, however, cheered the American heart. 
Wayne's exploit at Stony Point had aroused the emulation of officers 
and men. 

Tlie British in New York had a post at Paulus Hook, now Jersey 
City, which proved a great annoyance. Major Henry Lee, a dashing 
Virginia ofiicer, popularly known as "Light Horse Hariy," proposed 
to Washington to surprise it. The English position consisted of re- 
doubts and block-houses well supplied with artillery, and protected b}' 
abattis and marshes. The ground was then far different from what the 
present city shows. The post could be approached by land only by 
way of the New Bridge over the Hackensack. 

On the morning of the 18th of August, with the summer sun pour- 
ing down on the valley, Lee moved from Paramus with two hundred 
Maryland troops, and at New Bridge was joined by three hundred 



5IO EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SIX NATIONS. 

Virginians and some dragoons. With these he advanced, but the Vir- 
ginians, from various reasons, withdrew. With his remaining petty 
force he reached the enemy's works, through the marsh and under a 
hnak fire. But his rush was so impetuous, that before the British 
had time to fire a single piece of artillery he gained possession of the 
main work, while Captain Forsyth captured a house known as " Num- 
ber Six," with several officers and soldiers quartered there. 

Without discharging a single musket, Lee had taken the place and 
had the whole garrison prisoners, except a few Hessians who had 
thrown themselves into a small work. 

Across the river he could see New York, roused by the alarm-guns, 
all in excitement. In a short time troops would pour in upon him. 
So, securing his prisoners he began his retreat, and though pursued, he 
repulsed the enemy at English Neighborhood Creek and returned in 
safet}' with all his prisoners, having lost only two men killed and three 
W(>uiided, and deprived the enemy of two hundred. 

Far more important was the expedition set on foot late in the sum- 
mer against the Six Nations. These Indians had, from the settlement 
of New York by the Dutch, been friendly to the colonists, and had never 
made war upon them, till civilized England instigated them to deeds 
of Ijlood and massacre on thoir old friends and neighbors. 

We have seen how terribl}^ they carried out the fearful work at 
Wyoming, Cherry Valley, Mohawk Valle3^ and Minisiuk. The whole 
country demanded their chastisement. Pennsylvania, New York, and 
Connecticut, the last as proprietors in a measure of Wyoming, called 
upon Congress to act. Washington had already decided upon a plan 
of action, and when Congress proposed it, at once offered the com- 
y)a'-d of the expedition to General Gates, who declined : Sullivan 



BRANT AND HIS BRAVES DEFEATED. 51I 

took his place. Two bodies of troops were to move upon the In- 
<liaa coiuitiy ; Sullivan's corps, from Easton, by way of Wyoming, 
while New York troops, under General James Clinton, where to 
move from Canajoharie by way of Otsego Lake. Sullivan was de- 
layed by various petty obstacles, but Clinton, damming up the 
outlet of Otsego Lake, was enabled to float down the Susquehanna 
the batteaux he had collected, and also to overflow and damage the 
Indian fields on the river. 

The forces united on the 22d of August. On the 27th they ravaged 
the Indian fields at Chemung. Two days after they came upon the 
Indians, who had taken up a strong position near where Elmira now 
stands. They lay in a bend of the river ; protected in front by a 
breastwork of logs. They concealed this by bushes, hoping to escape 
observation till Sullivan's arnn^ was passing, when they would make a 
sudden attack. They were discovered, however, and skirmishing was 
kept up till the whole army arrived. The hills on the flank of the 
Indians were the essential point to carry. General Poor charged n|) 
the hill on their left with great coolness and bravery. Every rock 
and tree and bush shielded its man, from behind wliich rang out the 
sharp crack of the deadly rifle. The Indians yielded only inch by 
inch, darting from tree to tree as they were pressed back, but keeping up 
their fire ; Brant, in the thickest of the fight, rousing his men by word 
and example. As he saw Poor steadily pressing to his left flank, he 
made a desperate effort to rally his men and force Poor back. Oti 
they came, yelling and whooping like infuriate demons, but they could 
make no impression on the American line, which soon turned the left. 
Then from the Indian line rose the retreat halloo, and they fled 
precipitately, leaving their packs, scalping-knives, and tomahawks. 



512 SEVERE BLOWS AGAINST THE INDIANS. 

Many of the Indians fell in the deadly battle, itoi-c in th& 
pursuit. 

The nearest Indian village was destroyed, then Newtown, now El- 
mira, with all its crops. Through the Seneca country pressed the 
American array, resolved to punish their savage foe. French Cathar- 
ine's, Appletown, Kandara, Ganuudasaga, were all given to the flames. 
The last was the chief town of the Senecas, a place of some sixty houses, 
surrounded by thrifty orchards of apple and peach trees, and fine gar- 
dens, showing the progress of these Indians, whom England had called 
from their progress in civilization to replunge in barbarism. 

After destroying other towns, Sullivan, when at Kanaghsa, sent out 
Lieutenant Boyd with twenty-six men on a scout. He was intercepted 
by a large body of Indians. With desperate energy he attempted to 
cut his way through, but twenty-twoof the partj' were killed, Boyd and 
Sergeant Parker being made prisoners. Brant would have spared 
them, but Butler, the Toiy chief, gave them to the Indians to torture, 
and they expired amid the most excruciating torments. 

Having completely ravaged the Indian country, Sullivan marched 
back to Wj'oming. 

Colonel Van Schaick had already this year, with a small body of men, 
attacked Onondaga, killing and capturing some fifty men, and destroy- 
ing fifty houses and great quantities of provisions. While Sullivan was 
in the Seneca country. Colonel Brodhead, from Pittsburg, ascended 
the Alleghany and ravaged the Indian villages and fields, although 
there the Indians made some attempt at resistance. 

These severe blows, although they did not deprive the Indians of 
many warriors, left them nearly helpless, and convinced them of the 
power of the Americans. In this waj' they were attended with no 



SIGNAL SERVICES OF THE AMERICAN NAVY. 513 

little advantage, and experience had shown, that it was the only way 
to produce an impression on these haughty warriors. 

The little American navy, though unable to cope with the gigantic 
fleets of Great Britain, rendered, nevertheless, signal services, and con- 
tinued to show the world, by exploits on sea as well as on land, that the 
people of America were in earnest and determined to be free. England 
was mistress of the seas, and few nations dared to cope with her on her 
own element. Yet here were the United States fearlessly confronting 
her. In 1776 the American cruisers, dartrag out from the numberless 
ports on the Atlantic seaboard, swept away more than three hundred 
English ve.«;sels. Roused by this, the King sent out the next year 
seventy -seven men-of-war to cruise along the coast, yet, in the face of 
this great naval force, the Americans captured four hundred and 
sevent3'-six English merchantmen, some of them of very great value. 
Occasionally, indeed, a privateer would be taken, to the great exultation 
of the British and Tories, but they could not, by all the cruelties of 
their prison-ships on the East River, or their Sugar-Houses in New 
York city, deter bold and patriotic men from sallying forth on the 
ocean to cripple the maritime strength of the oppressor. 

Among the officers appointed to command in the navj' was Captain 
John Paul Jones, a man of great naval experience, and devoted heart 
and soul to the cau^e of American independence. 

Through the exertions of Dr. Franklin, a little fleet was fitted out 
in France in 1779, and put under command of Paul Jones. It con- 
sisted or the Bon Homme Richard, an old East Indiaman mounting 
thirty-four guns, the Alliance, a new American frigate carrying thirty- 
six guns, the Pallas, Vengeance, and Cerf. This fleet swept along 
the coast of Great Britain and spread terror throughout the country, 



514 ROUND, GRAPE AND DOUPIE-HEAD SHOT 

where the fate of South Carolina aud Connecticut was, they supposed, 
to become that of many a thriving town aud village. As they had 
robbed, plundered, burned, and desolated in America, so Americans 
might justly burn and plunder in England. 

Un the 23d of September, 1779, Commodore Paul Jones, cruising 
off Flamborough Head, England, discovered a large fleet of vessels. 
He instantly recognized it as the Baltic fleet, coming up convoyed by 
two British men-of-war ; the Serapis, of forty-four guns, and the Coun- 
tess of Scarborough, of twenty-two. Commodore Jones signalled his 
ships to form a line and bear down on the enemy, but Captain Lan- 
dais, of the Alliance, disobe3'ed his orders. Then Jones went into 
action with the two Eno-lish vessels. 

It was now night, and the moon came out clear and bright, on a sea 
almost as smooth as glass. The cliffs of the English coast were full 
in view, lined with anxious spectators. 

"What ship is that?" hailed Captain Pearson of the Serapis. 
" Come a little nearer and I will tell you," was Jones' reply. " What 
are you laden with ?" asked the British commander. " Round, grape, 
aud double-head shot," was the answer of the gallant American . 
commander. The broadside of the Serapis then thundered out. Paul 
Jones replied, but two of what he considered his best guns burst, kill- 
ing several. Abandoning these useless guns, he kept up the battle 
with those of less weight. The Serapis poured in her broadsides 
with the regularity of a British man-of-war ; Jones, after one or two 
broadsides, ran ahead, but the Serapis luffed across his stern, pouring 
in a heavy broadside and passing around and ahead. The Richard 
ran into her, and in a moment threw out grappling-irons, but before 
the Anieri«a.ns conld board the Serapis, the latter contrived to get 



THE NAVAL BATTLE AT NIGHT. 515 

free. In the next manoeuvre the two ships came side by side, and the 
Ejchard again threw out her grappling-irons, and the anchor of the 
Serapis hooked fast on the Richard. 

With the muzzles of their guns fairly touching, the cannonade kept 
up furiously, the balls tearing through both hulls. The}^ fought at the 
guns below, they fought from deck to deck, they fought from the tops 
and rigging. Seldom has history recorded such a fight. All working 
of the ships ceased, as they lay head and slcrn, aud drifted slowly to- 
ward the land, till at last the Serapis cast out her anchor three miles 
fi'om shore. With a rush the British seamen attempted to board. 
Back, bleeding and discomfited, they were repeatedly hurled, and from 
the tops came grenades and well-aimed shots that finally cleared the 
tops and deck of the Serapis. Below, the British had the advantage ; 
they were tearing the Richard's lower deck to pieces and driving the 
Americans up. 

The battle had lasted nearly an hour when the sails of the Serapis 
took fire, and soon the tops of the Richard were in a blaze. Both 
parties stopped the fight to extinguish the flames. Then the battle 
was renewed. The fire broke out anew, but they extinguished it only 
to renew the desperate fight. At last, one of the Richard's topsmen 
climbed over to the maintop of the Serapis with a bucket full of gren- 
ades, and began to light and drop them among the English sailors. One 
at last fell among the cartridges. A fearful explosion ensued. More 
than twenty were killed and forty wounded. 

Just then the Alliance came up and poured in a broadside, doing as 
much damage to the Richard as to the Serapis, and filling the Ameri- 
can vessel with such confusion that the English prisoners were releas- 
ed, and the gunner, supposing himself the highest officer left, called 



5l6 AN INSULT — A COURTEOUS REPLY. 

ont Quarter ! The Commodore soon restored order put the prisoners 
lit the pumps, and filled his crew with new hope of victory. He trained 
aew guns to bear on the Serapis, and at last, at half past one. Cap- 
tain Pearson struck his colors with his own hand, no British tar, with 
all their reputed gallantry, daring to expose himself to the deadly fire 
of the American ship. 

Lieutenant Dale passed on board and took possession, while Peareon 
and his officers went on board the Richard, and surrendered their 
swords to Commodore Paul Jones. But the haughty Englisliman could 
not forbear to insult his conqueror : " It is with great reluctance," said 
he, " that I am obliged to resign ni}' sword to a man who may be said 
to fight with a halter about his neck." Commodore Paul Jones showed 
his greatness of mind by replying: "Sir, you have fouglit like a hero, 
and I make no> doubt your sovereign will reward you for it in the most 
ample manner." 

While the Richard and Serapis were engaged, the Pallas had attack- 
ed and captured the Countess of Scarborough. The victoiy was won, but 
the Richard was on fire and sinking. "With great difficult}' her crew 
and the wounded were removed to the other vessels of the squadron, j 
She was a complete wreck, much of her timbers being completely swept 
away hj the cannon of the Serapis. The sun rose on the glorious ship 
settling down in the sea ; at ten o'clock her bows sunk, and she dis- 
appeared. 

Nearly three hundred men were killed and wounded on each of the 
ships, so desperate had been the action. Its fame rang through Eu- 
rope and America. The King of France presented Commodore Jones 
<vith a splendid sword ; the Empress of Russia invited him to her 
navy and made him Rear-Adrairal. Congress showed its appreciation 



FRENCH FLEET AT SAVANNAH. 517 

of his gallantry by the thanks of the nation and by striking a gold 
medal. 

Admiral d'Estaing, with the French fleet, after refitting at Boston, 
sailed to the West Indies, where Dominica, St. Vincent's, and Granada 
were captured, and all the English possessions thrown into great alarm. 
An English fleet was sent out to meet him, and a sharp but indecisive 
action followed. The French Admiral was about to sail home, wlieu he 
received so strong an appeal from General Lincoln, and Governor Rut- 
ledge, of South Carolina, that he sailed once more for the United 
States, to co-operate with the American forces in reducing Savannah. 

General Prevost, who held that city, was early warned of his dan- 
ger, and sent to New York for aid. Experienced engineers strengthen- 
ed the defenses of (he city, and did all that was possible to make tbe 
approach to tlie city dangerous to a fleet. 

D'Estaing landed Dillon's regiment of the Irish Brigade, and other 
troops, amounting in all to more than three thousand men. On the 15th 
of September, General Count Pulaski, with his legion, joined them. 
Tlien d'Estaing summoned the garrison to surrender. 

Prevost asked time, and this enabled him to be reinforced by Colonel 
Maitland. 

When General Lincoln arrived with his army from Charleston, the 
siege of Savannah was begun. The garrison made repeated sorties, 
but the mortars and siege-o:uns began their work, seriouslv daniaii'inQ; 
the town and burning many houses. The English fortifications were 
not, however, much injured. Finding that the siege would be long, 
d'Estaing, unwilling to remain longer on the coast, resolved to 
abandon the siege unless an assault could be made. On the 9th of Octo- 
ber, the bombardment was opened from all the batteries, and under 



5l8 SERGEANT JASPER SAVES THE FLAG. 

cover of this fire, the two columns of attack were formed, one under 
General Dillon, to march along the foot of the bluff on the north side 
of the town, the other, commanded by Admiral d'Estaing and General 
Lincoln, to attack the Spring Hill redoubt, where the Augusta railroad 
station now stands. 

At the same time, General Huger, with a body of militia, was to 
move on the south side of the town, to draw off the enemy, and, if pos 
sible, enter the town. 

Dillon's column got entangled in the swamp, and lost severely by 
the enemy's fire without being able to come into action. 

The column under the French Admiral and the American General 
moved splendidly on upon the Spring Hill redoubt, where Prevost had 
gathered his choice troops. Under a murderous fire they scaled the 
ramparts, and the French fleurs-de-lis, and the crescent of South Caro- 
lina, were planted on the redoubt. They are shot down ; but in a mo- 
ment they are up again. Again a gallant Carolinian falls. Sergeant 
Jasper caught his State flag, and again reared it, but received his death- 
wound. 

For nearly an hour a fearful struggle was kept up, but fresh English 
troops came up, and the gallant men were forced back, through ditch 
and abattis, down the bluff. Disheartened by the fearful slaughter of 
their men, the allied commanders ordered a retreat. While this assault 
was made, Count Pulaski had charged at the head of his legion in the 
rear of the enemy's line, when he was struck in the groin and fell mor- 
tally wounded. His Lieutenant seized his banner and continued to 
lead on the charge, but the English now turned all their force upon him, 
he too retreated, bearing off his djing commander. 

General Huger's movement produced no result. 



EXPLOIT OF COLONEL JOHN WHITE. 519 

General Lincoln wished to continue the siege, but d'Estaing would 
not consent to remain. He had lost severely, and was less disposed 
than ever. Accordingly, the siege was raised, the French re-embarked, 
the Americans crossed the river, and returned to South Carolina. In 
loss of life, the attack on Savannah w^as one of the severest battles of 
the war. The French lost in killed and wounded seven hundred, and 
the Americans two hundred. The English loss was comparatively 
small. 

During the siege of Savannah, Colonel John White, of Georgia, per- 
formed an exploit worth recording. Twenty-five miles from Savan- 
nah, on the Ogeechee, was an English post under a British captain, 
with more than a hundred men, and five armed vessels. Late at night, 
"White, with six men, kindled fires, so as to look like a large encamp- 
ment, and made noises to convey the same impression. Then he sum- 
moned the English officer to surrender instantly. The captain sup- 
posed that he was about to be attacked by an overwhelming force, laid 
down his arms, and Colonel White marched a hundred and forty-two 
British prisoners to Sunbury. General Washington had counted also 
on d'Estaing's co-operation in a great movement against New York, 
the key to the English position in America, as an attack upon it requir- 
ed a naval force. But the failure of the siege of Savannah, and 
the subsequent dispersion of the French fleet in a storm, put an end 
to all his hopes from that quarter. 

The operations of the year were accordingly closed and Washing- 
fton prepared to go into winter-quarters. He selected these so as to 
secure wood, water, and provisions, as well as to keep the enemy in 
check. The army formed two divisions ; the northern, under General 
Heath, was to protect West Point and the adjacent country; 



520 riUST ENTHUSIASM SUBSIDED. 

Washington himself, with the principal division, retired to Morrlstown, 
in New Jersey. 

If ill this campaign Washington had effected little, the English hiul 
aiconiplished nothing towai'ds the snhjngation of America. They had 
scattered their forces and ravaged withont mercy defenseless towns : 
liut, alter this, they had never stepped ont of their works or beyond 
their lines. 

Washington's army was small. The people, after the first enthusiasm 
of the Revolution h;ul subsided, Iind grown careless and indifferent ; 
Congress was irresolute, and the Continental Currency issued by it 
had beeouH^ almost worthless, and was largely counterfeited by the 
English Govei'imient. 

It was a i»eriod of despondency for the best patriots in the land, 
and for none more than for the illustrious Washington. 



CHAPTER V. 

Canipaigii of 1780— Sir Ilciiry Clinton sails soiitli, Vicsiugt's and takes Cliarlcston — Tailcton 
l)('£;ins liis career of cruelty — Lord Coniwallis in tlic South — Sumter and Marion — Gates 
sent South l)j Consjress — His rashness — Defeated at Camden — Oidvall) — General Greene — 
King's Mountain — Patriotic women — Lord Stirliny on Staten Ishind — Battle of Sprinjitield 

Elated by the success of Prevost in repulsing the allied attack on 
his works at Savannah. Sir Henry Clinton resolved to .seize the o[)por- 
tniiily allbrded by the al)senee of the French fleet fnun the coast, to 
attack South Carolina. Adniii'al Arbullmot, with a powerful lleet, 
<M)iivoyed a nundier of traiispoi'ls, which now lioi-e to Cliarleston a for- 
midable force, with ample supplies of military stores and provisions. A 



Tllli ENGLISH BKSIKGIC CHARLESTON. 521 

succession of storms nearly destroyed (his armament, and actually 
caused groat loss, hut it linally roaclicd Savaiinali. Tlie Brilisii army 
then moved on Charlcslon. 'i'h;;t cily \\as IicM by Cienerai Lincoln, 
Avith about one thousand men. Jlis call lor niililiaaiid for rciniorce- 
nu'uts from tlie Norlh was but slowly i-cspdndcd to, yet Ik; resolut(dy 
|)rej)ared to defend the town witli the troojis al his command. He 
strenjj;tliened his works, planlcMl cannon, sunk vessels in tlie channels, 
and in other waj's made them daug'ci'ons for the enemy's ships. iMeiin- 
while Hir iienry Clinton t;radnally sui-ronnded the town and ;i|)|»roa,ch- 
ed the lines. On llie nii;lil of the Istof A]iril, lie llii-ew up two re- 
doubts within eight iiundred yardsof the lines held liy the Americans. 
In a few days his siege-line was complete, and the lleet passed Fort 
Moultrie to support tin; army, snUering great damage from the \\n'. of 
the fort, and losing one transport. 

(!lint(Ui and Arbulhnot then dcn\anded the suri-eiuler of tins cil}'-, 
but liiiH'oln had received icinlbrcemenls— Conlincntals, under (Jenci-al 
Woodford, and North Carolina mililia,. He I'ejected the summons. 

Then the siege began, ami a. fierce; iii-i; was kept up on tlie town 
from (h(! lami batteries and shipping. On tlic Mill of April, :ui oul- 
\)itM of Americans, under (iciicraJ llngei', was surprised by (Jolond 
'i'arlelon, whom a (reachcrous negro luul guided. 

A W\v days later, the already jxiwerfnl force was swelleJ by a re- 
iiifore(!meiit ; Cornwallis landed willi llirec llidiisaiid fresh troops, 
liincolii saw now no hope, except in escaping to the open coiiiilry. 
The people of Charleston, feiirfnl of llu; vengeance of the P.rilish 
General, begged him to defend Ihe place to llie last. On tlie21sl, 
riincoln proposed to surrender Ihe town niid its dependencies, on con- 
dition that the garrison ami such of the inhabitants as wished to retire, 



522 THE FALL OF CHARLESTON. 

might be permitted to withdraw, with their arms, lield-artillery, ammu- 
aition, baggage, and such stores as they could carry, and tliat inhab- 
itants unwilling to remain under British rule, should have a year to 
dispose of their propert}'. The English commander at once rejected 
these terms. 

So the siege went on, the English steadily pushing ahead their 
works, and on the 8th of May again summoned the city. Again Lin- 
coln proposed terms, but Clinton demanded alterations, which Lin- 
coln refused. Th;it night the firing commenced once more, with greater 
fury than ever. The doomed city was like one vast confiaQ;ration. 
Shells streaming through the air in lightning curves, or bursting in 
the streets and houses ; the city on fire in five different places ; cannon- 
balls and shells hissing continually among the terrified people ; here 
an ammunition chest would blow up, and then, with a shock like an earth- 
quake, some temporary magazine would explode. 

Day brought no cessation to the terrible bombardment, and night 
was again made lurid by its deadly glare. At last the Americans 
were fairly driven from their guns, by the deadly fire through the 
embrasures. 

Worn down with fatigue, Lincoln, at last, on the 11th of May, un- 
conscious that a French fleet, under du Ternay, was rapidly approaching 
to his relief, and seeing no hope of aid, renewed negotiations. The 
English commanders, anxious to enter the place, agreed upon terms, 
and articles were signed the next daj'. 

Fifteen hundred Continental soldiers, with a large militia force, be- 
came prisoners of war, and cannons, muskets, and military stores 
fell into the enemy's hands. 

This terrible blow gave the British possession of all the country 



A PERIOD OF FEARFUL AGONY. 523 

from North Carolina to the Gulf. Clinton's first movements were 
an earnest of what the South had to expect. He at once planned 
three expeditions, one towards the Savannah ; another upon Ninety- 
Six, a place on the Saluda, to dislodge the American force and rouse 
the numerous Tories there ; while a third expedition, under the san- 
guinary Colonel Tarleton, was sent towards North Carolina, to over- 
take a small force under Colonel Buford, which had been marching 
to reinforce Lincoln. After a sharp fight at Waxhaws, Buford was 
defeated and his men slaughtered without mercy, quarter being refused, 
and the wounded fairly hacked to pieces. Tho}^ learned to their sor- 
row what " Tarleton's quarter " was. 

The other expeditions were no less successful. Sir Henry Clinton 
affered pardon to all who submitted and asked it. Manj- yielded ; the 
number of Tories increased. Even an address of congratulation to the 
King found many signers. Emboldened by this, Clinton threatened 
to treat as rebels all paroled prisoners not in the military service, who 
refused to renew their allegiance to Great Britain, and enroll them- 
selves as militia under the King. 

Then came a period of fearful agony. Many heroically refused, 
and appealed to the terms of capitulation. They were seized and 
carried off to St. Augustine and elsewhere, and confined in loath- 
some dungeons. Such was the fate of the venerable Christopher 
Gadsden. The soldiers were confined in prison-ships and in filthy 
quarters, where numbers of them perished. 

In consequence of this cruelty and violation of faith on the part of 
the British commanders, many fled, and a partisan warfare sprang up. 
Sumter, among the hills that line the Catawba and Broad ;, Marion, amid 
the swamps of the Pedee ; Pickers and Clarke on the Savannah, rallied 



524 A GUOD NAME UELIIiD UV A GODLESS LIFE. 

around tbeni brave and daring men, who thirsted to avenge their 
country's wrong on the vile oppressor. Civil war ruged in all its fury. 
Deadly as the strife with the Tories was at the North, in the Caroli- 
lias it was still more fearful. Assassination was of daily occurrence. 
No one was safe on the public roads ; no planter secure in his home. 
The agents of the Government deluded the slaves by offers of emanci- 
pation, and stimulated their worst passions against their masters. 
Whole families were strangled by their slaves. 

The sparsely settled condition of the country, which abounded in 
large plantations, made it an easy country to overrun with the force at 
tiie command of the enemy. It was, in this respect, far different from 
the more densely settled parts of New England, New York, and Penn- 
sylvania. 

Yet this very condition of affairs made the career of the patriot par- 
tisans possible. Colonel Locke, with only four hundred men, in June, 
after a fight showing more courage than discipline, dispersed a force 
of Tories at Ramsour's Mill, under Colonel John Moore, numbering 
thirteen hundred men. 

Sumter was the next to take the field. On the 12th of July, Cap- 
lain Christian Huck, an unprincipled Tory leader, whose name was 
belied by his whole godless lil'e, encamped in a lane on the plantation 
of James Williamson, in what is now Brattonville. They had been rav- 
aging far and wide, and thinking that the terror of their name hud 
driven off all the patriots, they slept in perfect security. Midnight had 
scarcely struck when Captain Bratton cautiously approached, and be- 
fc-r'T day dawned entered one end of the lane, and Captain McClure the 
other, with some of the very best and bravest of Sumter's little force. 
Like avenging furies, they sprang upon the sleeping desperadoes. 



MRS. BRATTON AND THE REAPIXC-HOOK. 525 

Hack fouglit with energy, but the surprise was complete. The Tories 
lost many, and were scattered to the winds ; a few, under Huck himself, 
escaping to Rocky Mount, pursued almost the whole distance by the 
patriots. This victory encouraged the Americans and disheartened the 
Tories. 

Bratton's plantation was quite near the scene of this gallant action, 
and his own wife had just been visited by Huck, who demanded where 
her husband was. Disdaining any evasion, the noble woman promptly 
replied: "In Sumter's army." Huck endeavored to force her by 
threats of violence to disclose her husband's place of concealment, lit- 
tle dreaming that that gentleman was so soon to pay him an unceremo- 
nious and unwelcome visit. Mrs. Bratton firmly refused to comply o: 
to express any submission to Great Britain ; she refused, even when a 
sharp reaping-hook was held to her throat by a brutal soldier, to force 
her to renounce her fidelity to her native State. 

Encouraged by his first success, Sumter attacked the British posi- 
tion at Rocky Mount, and succeeding in firing their garrison-houses, 
compelled them to hoist the white flag; but, as a storm came on, extin- 
guishing the flames, they renewed the fight, and as his war>^ of artil- 
ler_y made it impossible to reduce them, he withdrew. 

In a deep, rocky valley, througli which a stream rims roaring along, 
there juts on one side a hanging rock which gives naii.c to the place. 
Here Lord Rawdon had posted five hundred regulars and Tories, un- 
der Major Garden. While Snmtor was at Rocky Mount, Major Davie 
had approached Hanging Rock, and surprised a foraging party of three 
Tory companies, which he utterly defeated, killing and wounding nearly 
all, and capturing a large stock of horses and arms. Then Sumter 
came up, and in three columns moved on the enemy's position. lie 



526 SUMTER CHECKS THE BRITISH. 

fell in with a division of the British, about half a mile from their 
camp. With a cheer and rush he was on them ; they did not wait to 
contest the ground. Flingiug away guns and arms of all kinds they 
fled. A braver corps rallied, and made a stand in a wood, pouring a 
deadly volley into Sumter's advance, and gallant!}' charging with the 
bayonet ; but the sharp-shooters in Sumter's corps soon brought down 
the officers. Then the British lost heart and fled. Sumter, sui)plying 
himself with amrauuition, which he greatl}' needed, for he had gone 
into the fight witli only ten rounds to each man, pressed on to complete 
his victory ; but his men scattered to plunder the British camp. Thus 
precious time was lost, and before Sumter, charging in three columns 
on the British line, drawn up in a hollow square, and protected by can- 
non, could force them to surrender, reinforcements came up. The vic- 
torious partisan, to his mortification, had to withdraw. 

Though his success had not been complete, he had inflicted severe 
loss, and checked the British career. 

A few days before this, a scene occurred at Green Spring, which 
may here be related. A party of patriots halted for the night at 
Green Spring. Before daybreak, the clatter of a horse's hoofs put them 
on the alert ; the vidette soon recognized Mrs. Dillard, at whose house 
Ihej' had received some refreshments the day before. 

A Tory party, under Ferguson, had halted at her house soon after, 
and a spy informed the leader as to the patriot force. To warn them she 
slipped out of the house, bridled a colt, and, without a saddle, had 
galloped to warn her friends. She had .scarcely disappeared on a differ- 
ent road homeward, when the dragoons and mounted riflemen dashed in, 
supposing that they had completely surprised the Americans, till a tre- 
mendous volley in front and on both flanks told them they must fight 



BARON DE KALB SEXT TO THE SOUTH. 527 

•desperately, as they did for twenty minutes, when they broke and re- 
treated, leaving many dead on the field. 

Francis Marion was as successful as Sumter in his operations, and, 
■by hardihood and daring, no less than by the republican simplicity of 
liis life, astonished the enemy and secured their respect. 

Washington was not insensible to the condition of the Southern 
States. He sent Baron de Kalb from Maryland with such troops of 
the Kne as he could spare. This brave, upright officer advanced with 
caution, gathering and disciplining the militia from Virginia and North 
"Carolina. He moved with caution, as he found difficulty in obtaining 
provisions, and did not wish to expose his raw troops rashly. Wash- 
ington wished General Greene to take full command in the South, but 
•Congress, led away by Gates' Saratoga renown, appointed him to the 
•command. General Gates joined de Kalb'sarmy late in July. Aban- 
doning the cautious course adopted by de Kalb, he pushed on towards 
the English through a barren country. 

On the 13th of August he reached Clermont, with an army of four 
thousand men. Lord Rawdon, who commanded the British force, 
•was at Camden, and saw that he must strike a decisive blow or retreat. 
Tlie latter step would be disastrous, as he would have to leave his 
•stores and his sick, and might never reach Charleston at all, if there 
should be a general rising of the people. 

Cornwallis hastened to join him, and resolved to fight. About ten 
o'clock on the night of the 15th, Gates moved out (o attack Corn- 
wallis, and Cornwallis marched out to attack Gates, neither of thcMu 
aware of his opponent's movement Suddenlj^, on a gentle slope in the 
midst of an open forest of pine, the heads of the two armies met about 
two o'clock. The American cavalry was driven back in some confusion, 



528 THE RASH FOLLY OF GATES. 

and both armies prepared for a general action. Each army liad its flanks 
protected by an impassable swamp. Gates placed de Kalb and liis regu- 
lars ou his right, the centre and left being militia. Against these- 
r'ornwallis threw his veterans. The militia gave one irregular volley^ 
and then, throwing away their arms, fled from the field. One North 
Carolina regiment alone stood its ground beside de Kalb's brave men. 
That capable general held his ground, and even drove Lord Eawdou 
back : and when Gates fled from the field, he endeavored to hold tiie 
positions abandoned by the militia, against the v/hole British force. 
Ably supported by Generals Gist and Smallwood, he kept the enemj 
at bay for nearly an hour, Avith the Maryland and Delaware troo{)S, 
who had won laurels on northern fields. Gathering up for a decisive 
charge, de Kalb put himself at the head of a regiment. On they 
swept, but de Kalb fell, pierced by eleven wounds. His Aide-de-camp, 
de Buysson, tried to save him from the brutal enemy, who continued 
i ) strike at him, and was wounded in the attempt. They then stripped 
the dying general even of his shirt. 

No longer sustained by the presence of their general, the brave 
American corps gave way, and a small body, under Gist and Small- 
wood, effected their retreat. The Delaware regiment was nearly an- 
nihilated, the whole army was scattered to the winds ; the whole ar- 
tillerj', military stores, and ammunition were lost, and the killed, 
wounded, and prisoners amounted to at least twelve hundred. 

Thus, by the rashness and folly of Gates, the English were estab- 
lished in full possession of the Southern States. 

Sumter, who had driven the enemy from the Wateree, was startled 
on the 18th bj' tidings of the rout of Gates' whole army. He at once 
retreated, but Tarleton was already on his trail, moving rapidly, and 



COLONEL DAVIE S BRILLL\NT DASH. 5:^9 

oreventing any tidings from reaching him. Spent with marching and 
;he heat, Sumter's men threw themselves down tu rest at Fishing 
Dreek. While Sumter, without hat, coat, or waistcoat, was sleeping 
beside a wagon, and his men cooking or resting, Tarletou, who had 
jrept up unobserved, killing the videttes, burst into the camp, and 
before the Americans realized their danger, their cannon and their 
stacked muskets were in the hands of the enemy. Flight was the 
anly resource, and in the panic many were killed. With scarcely any 
loss, the British killed, wounded, or captured nearly five hundred of 
Sumter's men, and took all his artillery and arms, utterly breaking up 
his force. 

Cornwallis, .who had been in a critical position and in great perplex- 
ity, was now master of the situation. Gates' army routed, Sumter para- 
lyzed, Marion closely pu"sued, he felt so sure of South Carolina, that he 
pressed on to occupy North Carolina, leaving orders to the officers in 
bis various i)osts, to punish with severity all who, after accepting 
British protection or giving parole, had taken up arms. Numbers of 
persons were seized and put to death, multitudes imprisoned, while 
their families were driven penniless from their houses, which were seized 
as confiscated property. The land was filled with blood and misery. 

Cornwallis met no opposition on his march into North Carolina, ex- 
cept from Colonel Davie, who not only checked his progress, but bold- 
ly surprised Tarletou's legion at Wahab's plantation. Dividing his 
men, he put his riflemen in a cornfield, and with his cavalry dashed up 
to the house. The enemy fled without a blow, but were met by a 
murderous fire from the rifles, which killed or wounded sixty of them. 
Then Davie, seizing nearly a hundred horses and more than as many 
stands of arms, rode off in safety. 



530 AMERICAN PARTISAN PATRIOTS. 

At Charlotte this same able officer, with a handful of men, kept 
Cornwallis at bay for a considerable time, and again struck terror into 
Tarleton's legion, who at last refused to attack the Americans. 

After occupying Charlotte and endeavoring to organize the Tories, 
Cornwallis moved on Salisbury, but was suddenly brought to a halt 
by a great disaster to the royal cause, which entirely changed his plans. 

Major Patrick Ferguson, a brave and active officer, had been sent 
to the borders of the Carolinas, to encourage the Tories and check 
the movements of the American partisans. He was in command of a 
force of nearly fifteen hundred regulars and Tories. 

The American partisan officers resolved to cut him off. Far and 
wide messengers went, and brave fellows prepared for the work. 
From Carolina and Tennessee they began to move towards the spot, 
under Colonels Shelby, Sevier, Campbell, McDowell, Cleaveland. 
Ferguson sent at once in haste to Cornwallis, and began to retreat. So 
rapidly, however, did the foe come on, that he saw any attempt at flight 
would be useless. Eeaching King's Mountain, a range extending for 
several miles, he took post on a stony ridge rising about a hundred 
feet above the surrounding ravines. Here, in the scattered w^ood, he 
resolved to await the attack. The Americans came up on the 7th of 
October ; Shelby and Campbell in the centre began the attack, while 
the others enclosed the hill. Then all dismounted and at once pushed 
up the slopes. The American centre were met by Ferguson's regulars, 
and in a bayonet-charge forced back. At it they went again with des- 
perate valor. Cleaveland, on the right of the enemy, reached the sum- 
mit, when Ferguson, turning on him, forced him back. Then again meeU 
ing the centre, he held him at bay till Sevier, on the American right, 
gained the hill and drove the left wing before him. 



TORY INFLUENCE IX NORTH CAROLINA CRUSHED. 53 1 

Surrounded on all sides, Ferguson rushed from regiment to regiment, 
encouraging some, directing others, and showing the most undaunted 
valor, till a well-aimed rifleball brought him down. Then Captain 
Abraham de Peyster, a New York loyalist, took command, but soon 
found resistance hopeless. After an action of little more than an hour, 
the British commander raised a white flag. 

Eleven hundred and twenty-five men were killed, wounded, or cap- 
tured in this battle, one of the most obstinately contested in the war. 
The Americans, roused to fury by the cruelty and oppressions of the 
British and Tories, were determined to cany the day ; although they 
were comparatively untried troops, and fewer in number than the 
enemy. 

This victoiy crushed all Tory influence in North Carolina. Corn- 
wallis, who heard of Ferguson's defeat and death almost as soon as he 
received his call for aid, retreated in all haste to Winnsborough, and 
waited there for reinforcements, which he called for most earnestly. 

Sumter was constantly hovering around the English forces, cutting 
ofiF foraging parties, intercepting supplies, and keeping all in con- 
stant alarm. They felt that they must at any sacrifice punish his au- 
dacity. Major Wemj'ss was sent to surprise the daring American, 
but was himself received so warmly that his party was nearly cut to 
pieces, the British officer being left wounded and a prisoner in Sumter's 
hands. 

Then Tarleton was again sent, and Sumter met him at Blackstock's 
plantation. Tarleton came on with his usual dash, but before he could 
charge, or even see Sumter's line, his rear was attacked and nearly 
captured. Wheeling to charge these assailants they fell back across a 
broek and up the slope of a hill, followed by Tarleton, who thought he 



532 A DECISIVE MOVEMENT OF THE WAR. 

was sweeping all before Lira, wheu from fences and buildings came a 
murderous fire from unseen foes. He tried to dislodge the Americans, 
who were closing around him, and but for the gallantly of one of his 
officers, who by a brave charge opened a way for Tarleton to retreat, 
that officer would have been captured. 

This closed the operations of the year in the South. That section 
had displayed courage, devotedness, and heroism in the highest degree; 
and had suffered in every way from the relentless foe 

The previous winter had been so severe, that no operations of im- 
portance were undertaken on either side, at tlie North, for several 
months. Washington, awaiting the result of Lafayette's mission to 
France, to secure a land force to co-operate with the Auierioans, lay 
encamped at Morristown, in a strong mountain countr}'. 

The English had no foothold in New Jersey, yet {hex kept up a 
post on Staten Island, and though Lord Stirling, early in the year, at- 
tempted to break it up, bis expedition effected nothing. 

In June Sir Henry Clinton resolved to use Staten Island as the base 
of operations, and to push forward force enough to seize and hold the 
Short Hills, the key to Washington's position. It was to be one of the 
decisive movements of the war. New York Bay was alive with boats 
and crafts of all kinds, bearing to the island the Coldstream Guards 
and the flower of the British host. 

General Knyphausen, with Generals Stirling, Mathew, and Tryon. 
were in command. Bv night the troops passed over to Elizabethtown 
Point. With day they advanced on the town, Simcoe's Queen's Ran- 
gei-s in the van, with drawn swords and glittering helms, followed by 
regiment after regiment, all in new uniforms, splendidly armed and 
equipped. 



THE ENGLISH DRIVEN BACK TO STATEN ISLAND. 533 

Colonel Dayton gave them a slight check, wounding General StirlJHg, 
but Knj'phausen pressed on through Elizabeth. As soon as he took 
the Springfield road his object was seen. A beacon-fire was lighted 
at Prospect Hill and a signal cannon fired. Washington, at Morris- 
town, at once put his army in motion, and far and wide the militia re- 
sponded to the call, gathering at their appointed mustering-places. 
Beyond the village of Connecticut Farms, Dayton made a stand, and 
for three hours held the enemy in check, at the defile near the Farm 
Meeting-house, and even drove the enemy back. 

The few Continentals and militia here engaged finally fell back to the 
heights toward Springfield. Again Knyphausen pressed on, and again 
the sturdy Americans charged rapidly, attacking the enemy simulta- 
neously in the centre and both wings, but thej^ were again forced back 
by the steady discipline of the mass of regulars. But they held the 
bridge over the Rahway, and drove the enemy from it. 

Washington was now so near, that Knyphausen, seeing his plan de- 
feated, began to retreat. He plundered all the houses in Connecticut 
Farms, and then wantonl v set them on fire, although there had been no 
•firing from any part of the village. The wife of the Eev. Mr. Cald- 
well, a Presbyterian clergyman, was murdered by one of the English 
soldiers, as she sat on the side of a bed surrounded by her children ; 
and this fiendish act was perpetrated just after the unfortunate lady 
!iad given refreshments to some English officers. Her body was saved 
with difficulty from the burning house. 

Pursued by the militia, the English retreated that night during a ter- 
rific thunder-storm, the darkness lit up by the flaming houses, and by 
the lightning. On reaching the Point, they crossed over to Staten 
Island, all except five hundred, who remained in an intrenched camp. 



534 ^OW BOVS, PUT WATTS INTO THEM. 

Here they were attacked tj General Hand, in a brief, indecisive 
action. 

The movement was, however, too important in Clinton's eyes to be 
readily abandoned. Making a feigned movement up the Hudson, he 
threw a still larger force over on Staten Island, and thence to Eliza- 
bethtown Point, taking command himself in person. 

Again through the pleasant town of Elizabeth moved a well-appoint- 
ed British force, with cavalry and fine artillery. At the ruined houses 
of Connecticut Farms they divided into two columns, one taking the 
road through Yauxhall and Milburn, the other the Springfield road. 
The former was checked at the bridge in front of Springfield, by Colo- 
nel Angell, the latter at another bridge by Major Lee. But these 
checks were only momentary. The British finally crossed the river, 
and the Americans fell back to the heights behind Springfield 

The countr}'' was all aroused, and Washington was sending reinforce- 
ments, and a brigade to cut ofi^ the retreat of the enemy. Clinton saw 
the strong position of the Continentals, and the increasing militia. He 
was a^ain baffled. The Short Hills were not to be captured but at a 
fearful cost of life. Foiled completely in his object, he prepared to re- 
treat, but wreaked his vengeance on Springfield, giving to the flames 
nineteen dwellings, and the Presbyterian church. 

During the action, the Rev. Mr. Caldwell, chaplain to Dayton's regi- 
ment, seeing that the men needed wadding, galloped to the church, 
and brought out an armful of psalm books, and as he handed them 
around, he shouted : " Now, boys, put Watts into them ! " He could 
not bear to see the murderers of his poor wife triumph. 

As Clinton retreated, a body of regulars and militia pursued and 
galled his force by constant attacks in the rear and flanks, till at last 



PATRIOTIC SELF-SACRIFICE AND INDUSTRY. 535 

the fugitive Britons escaped into their fortified lines at the Point, and 
by a bridge of boats reached Staten Island. 

The American loss had been slight ; the British lost a general, and at 
least five hundred men in killed and wounded. 

Washington, supported by the gallantry of New Jersey, had thus 
baffled the generalship of Sir Henry Clinton, but he was full of anxiety. 
The power of Congress was declining, its requisitions on the States were 
disregarded, each State seemed to think only of itself, and seemed re- 
luctant to obey the general government. So low had the public credit, 
and the Continental money fallen, that the army was kept together and 
clothed by subscriptions among the patriotic, and by the self-sacrifice 
and industry of the women, who formed societies, and all labored to 
supply the necessary garments. 

Among those most prominent in this good work, was Mrs. Sarah 
Bache, daughter of Benjamin Franklin. She had taken an active part 
in organizing a society of ladies to furnish the soldiers with clothing, 
and, on the death of Mrs. Keed, Mrs. Bache and four other ladies 
formed a sort of Executive Committee. The house of her father, where 
she still resided, became a patriotic workshop. Here shirts and other 
garments were cut out and made up ; money was also collected. She 
was ardent, patriotic, and eloquent, and in her applications she showed 
such perseverance and tact, that she wrung contributions from the most 
reluctant 



PART IV. 

THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION. 



CHAPTER I. 



Effective aid from France on Sea and Land — Zealous and successful Efforts of Lafayette io 
Favor of America — A Fleet under Admiral de Teruay brings over a French army under tha 
Count de Rochambeau — It lands at Newport — Hopes of America — Washington calls earn- 
estly for Troops to enable him to strike a Decisive Blow — A Traitor — General Arnold in 
Treaty with the Enemy to deliver up West Point — Tlie Arrest of Major Andre reveals a»d 
Defeats the Treachery — Arnold escapes to the English — Andre tried and executed. 

The settlemeut of the country, and its rapid development and 
strength, were followed by acts of oppression on the part of the British 
Government. The struggle which began at Lexington, had now lasted 
several years. England had spent millions upon millions, and had 
achieved so little that she seemed to look only to the injuiy she could 
inflict on her once prosperous colonies, while America, exhausted by 
the struggle, with her cities and fields ravaged and laid waste, seemed 
unable to make the last effort for freedom. 

In fact, all were despondent. Lafayette had studied the whole situ- 



\ 



LAFAYETTE S SUCCESSFUL MISSION. 537 

utiou, and, risking capture by English cruisers, had gone to France, to 
plead at the throne of Louis XVI. the cause of the country whose in- 
terests were so dear to him. 

There his eiitluisiasni and importunity overcame all obstacles. His 
private means were spent in obtaining suitable equipments for the olli- 
cers in his own immediate corps, and articles of prime necessitj' to ail. 
Willi the King and his Ministers, he employed such cogent arguments 
that he iiually induced the court to enter into his views. France re- 
solved to send an army of her best soldiers across the Atlantic, to co- 
; operate with Washington, while the fleets with the white-lilied flag of 
France held in check those that floated the Union Jack of England. 

So much did Lafayette ask, and so much did he obtain, against the 

advice of prudent old statesmen, that the prime minister, the Count de 

j Maurepas, said one day at the council-board : "How fortunate it is for 

his Majesty, tliat Lafayette has not taken it into his head to strip Ver- 

; sallies of its furniture to send to his dear Americans ; for the King 

would be unable to refuse it." 
I AVhen the great stej) hud been decided upon, Lafayette hastened 

\ back to cheer General Washington with the glad tidings. 
j The French officers had caught the enthusiasm of Lafayette ; every 

I one was ready to take his place in the army sent to aid in securing 
liberty in the Western World, while many, still smarting under the loss 
I of Canada; were eager to meet their old foes in America, and help to 
I deprive England of a richer territory than she had wrested from 
France. The regiments for the American expedition were at last 
selected ; an experienced general chosen ; then the equipments were 
rapidly prepared. 

On Julv 12, 1780, a French fleet of twelve vessels and thirty-two 



53^ A FRENXII ARMY IX AMERICA. 

trauspoi-ts, under the Chevalier de Ternay, entered the harbor of New- 
port. It bore a French ariny, commanded by the Count de Rochaui- 
beau, and numbering four thousand ni<.'n. They had sailed IVoni Brest, 
ou the 2d of May, and passed around by the Azores, engaging on the 
way an English squadron, under Captain Cornwallis. An English fleet, 
under Admiral Graves, sailed from England on the same day, to inter- 
cept de Ternay, but was driven back by a storm and did not overtake 
liim. Rochambeau, who was received by General Heath, landed his 
troops and military stores, and encamped so as to cover Newport. 
The long- voyage had caused much sickness in his fleet, and many at 
once required medical care. The French were not, consequently, in a 
condition to make any important movement. 

Washington had strained every nerve to have his army in a condi- 
tion to compare favorably with that of his ally, before they began their 
campaign together. His great object was to take New York, where 
the English had so long been in undisturbed possession. A plan for 
the capture of the city was drawn up, and convej'ed to General Ro- 
chambeau, by Lafayette, who had returned from France just before the 
sailing of the French corps. Rochambeau was to march to West- 
chester County, New York, and join Washington, Avhile the French 
fleet engaged that of the enemy under Arbuthnot. Graves arrived, 
however, with his fleet, and the English were in this way far superior 
to the French on the water. 

Clinton, with his usual energy, resolved to lose no time, and instead 
of waiting to be attacked, if de Guichen's fleet arrived from the West 
Indies to reinforce de Ternay, he resolved to attack Newport. The 
English fleet at once sailed to blockade that port, and Clinton embarked 
with eight thousand of his best men to operate on land. Tidings o' 



WASHINGTON MEETS THE FRENCH GENERALS. 539 

his movement moved faster than he did, and at the call of General 
Heath, the militia of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, 
took the field. New England was in arms, and as Clinton sailed up the 
Sound, he saw evidences of active preparation. By the time he reach- 
ed Huntington Bay, Long Island, he saw that his movement would 
prove disastrous, and he returned liastily to New York, full of disap- 
pointment and perplexity. If de Guichen arrived he would be taken 
in a trap at New York. So he prepared for the worst ; but the 
French admiral had met Rodney iti the West Indies, and in a furious 
naval battle with that English commander, had suffered so severely 
that he started back to France without stopping at Newport. This 
was a terrible disappointment to Washington, while to Clinton it was an 
unexpected release. 

Yet Washington did not give up all hope. He met the French com- 
manders at Hartford, and arranged a new plan, but the arrival on the 
coast of Admiral Rodney, with eleven men-of-war, baffled all their 
plans. The meeting of the great Amei-ican general and the Frencii 
commanders, at Hartford, was impressive. The French were eager to 
see the great patriot general, whom in earl_y life they had regarded as 
so great an enemy, now their ally acainst the very power for which he 
then fought. Washington impressed them all. No French officer ever 
spoke of him but in terms of admiration. 

While this cordial co-operation of the French gave Wa.^shington 
hope, the difficulties in the country made him despond. Half the time 
his army was without provisions, and he saw no hope of a permanent 
change. He had no magazines, and no money to form them. He saw 
that Congress must raise money by loan, and not depend on taxes 
alone : it must take plans to maintain a permanent army. 



540 BENEDICT ARNOLD A TRAITOR. 

While his mind was thus burdened by great cares, on his return 
from the conference, a terrible surprise came upon him. He sent oa 
word to General Arnold, at West Point, that he would breald'ast with 
him, but on reaching the post, found Arnold absent. Soon after paj)ers 
were placed in his hands. Arnold had fled to the British lines ; a Brit- 
ish officer who had come to arrange with him the treacherous deliver^ 
ance of the post into Sir Heur}' Clinton's hands was a prisoner. Well 
might Washington be thunderstruck to find that one who had fought 
so bravel}' on many a field had [)roved a traitor. Providence had 
overruled the deep-laid schemes of trcachei-y. 

Arnold, a disappointed man, unable to bear as Washington did the 
slights put upon him, and led into extravagance by his wife, had long 
plotted treason to his country. 

Sir Henry Clinton lured him to his evil work, hy promises of i-ank in 
the English army, and a large payment of money. Arnold obtained 
the command at West Point only to deliver it up. 

Washington's absence at Hartford afforded the opportunity he de- 
sired. Sir Henry Clinton dispatched his adjutant-general. Major An- 
dre, to concert the necessary measures with the treachei-ous Ameri- 
can general. Andre did not wii^h to enter the American lines, and 
asked to meet Arnold on the Yullui-e, an English man-of-war, then 
lying in the Hudson, but Arnold declined, and they met in tiie gloom 
of night, at the foot of a great hill, called Long Clove Mountain, just 
below Haverstraw. There and, a few hours later, at Smith's house, the 
whole plan was arranged. 

Aiidr^ intended to proceed to the Vulture, and in 'hm- descend to 
New York ; but, without Arnold's knowledge, a battery lind opened on 
that vessel, and she dropped down. Unable to find any one to row 



THE I.VCORRUPTIBLE AMERICANS. -4.I 

him to the Vulture, he crossed the river at King's Ferry, and in dis- 
guise endeavored to reach the British lines. Near Tarrytown, a small 
stream crosses the road, and runs through a deep ravine. Andre, who 
had been guided by Smith as far as Pine's Bridge, had reached this 
point, when he was stopped by John Paulding, Isaac Van Wart, and 
David Williams, three young Americans, out to arrest suspicious 
characters. " Gentlemen ! " said Andre, " I hope you beloug to our 
party." "What party?" said Paulding. "The Lower Party," re- 
plied Andre. On their telling him that they did, he said, " I am a Brit- 
ish officer, out in the country on particular business, and I hope you 
will not detain me a minute." Pulling out Arnold's pass, he dismount^ 
ed, and urged them to let him proceed, or they would bring themselves 
into trouble, by thwarting the General's business which he had in hand. 
The pass was all right, and they would have let him go had he not said 
that he was a British officer, and showed a gold watch, which at that time 
seems to have been proof positive that the owner was in Britisli pay. 

They took Andre into the bushes, and compelled him to strip to ex- 
amine liim. They ibund no papers, and began to think that they were, 
wrong, when, on drawing off his boots, they found papers between his 
foot and stocking. They were documents from Arnold, giving the posi- 
tion of the force at West Point, its strength, artillery, etc. Now thor- 
oughly alarmed, Andre endeavored to buy them off, but they sturdily 
refused. "No ! " said Paulding, " if you would give us ten thousand 
guineas, you shall not stir one step." 

They conducted their prisoner to North Castle, the nearest military 
post, and delivered him and the papers to Lieutenant-Colonel Jameson. 

That officer, evidently bound to Arnold by some secret tie, attempted 
to send Andre and the papers to that discovered traitor. Major Tall- 



542 THE UNFORTUNATE MAJOR ANDRE. 

madge coming in prevented this, but Jameson sent word to Arnold of 
Andre's arrest. 

The traitor was at breakfast with his aides, when Jameson's letter 
was placed in his hands. Couti'olling himself, he apologized for leaving 
them, as urgent business required him to start at once. Hastening up 
stairs, he told his wife the failure of the plot, and leaving her in a 
swoon, he hastened to the river-side, and in a boat made his way to the 
Vulture. 

Such was the astonishing intelligence placed in Washington's hands. 
The unfortunate Andre, detained by Tallraadge's wise resolution, wrote 
to Washington, acknowledging his real name and rank. He was by 
Washington's orders conveyed to West Point. 

After making all the arrangements necessary for the safety of that 
post, Washington appointed a court-martial for the trial of Andr6. It 
met in an old Dutch Church at Tappau. This court, composed of Gen- 
erals Greene, Stirling, St. Clair, Lafayette, Steuben, Stark, and others 
of the noblest sentiments, decided that Major Andre ought to be consid- 
ered a spy, and suffer death. He was executed on the 2d of Octo- 
ber, 1780. 

Young, brave, talented, a general favorite with all, Major Andre's 
fate excited the greatest S3'mpath}' in England. The fate of Captain 
Hale has never met any such sjnnpathy, and many Americans, even, 
join in the English tide of opinion, forgetful of their own heroic Hale. 

Andre now lies in Westminster Abbey, to which his body was re- 
moved by the British Government in 1821. 

Clinton made every effort to save Andre, but nothing short of the 
surrender of Arnold would have availed him. 

The desertion of Arnold, and the audacity with which he made re- 



GRAND ACHIEVEMENTS OF MAJOR TALMABGE. 543 

ligioQ a pretext for his treason, roused the indignation of every Ameri- 
can. Tnere was one thought in all minds, to capture and punish the 
traitor. A bold, and almost desperate attempt was made by Sergeant 
Champe, who, with Washington's knowledge, deserted to the enemy in 
such a way that officers and men believed him a fit companion for Ar- 
nold. The English did so, for he was rescued by them from the pur- 
suit of American cavalry by some galleys in the river. 

He enlisted in Arnolds legion, and formed apian, by the aid of some 
patriots in the city, to seize Arnold in the garden back of his house, 
which he always entered about midnight. They were then to gag him 
and row him over to Hobokeu. On the very day fixed for the execu» 
tion of this bold plan Arnold changed his quarters, and the opportu- 
nity was lost. 

The remarkable manner in which Arnold's treachery, so nearly car- 
ried out, was defeated and brought to nought, excited adinirntion 
on all sides. Washington himself said in a letter to a friend : " In no 
instance since the commencement of the war, has the interposition of 
Providence appeared more remarkably conspicuous, than in the res- 
cue of the post and garrison at West Point." 

Among the closing events of this year's campaign was the brilliant 
achievement of Major Benjamin Tallmadge, who, starting from Fair- 
field, Connecticut, with eight boats, with eighty men of Sheldon's dra- 
goons, crossed Long Island Sound, and at dawn on the 23d of Novem- 
ber, unperceived by the enemy, rushed in three columns on their 
works at Fort St. G-eorge, on the south side of Long Island. With 
the cry of " Washington and Glory," the three detachments scaled 
the palisade and entered, carrying the main work within at the point 
of the bayonet in less than ten minutes. After the British struck 



544 THE BRAVE RIFLEMAN — THE COWARDLY GENERAL. 

their flag, some of them, from one of the houses, opened a fire on the 
Americans. The place was soon forced, and the violators of the rules 
of war punished on the spot. 

An English vessel lying near attempted to escape, but the guns of 
the fort soon brought her to. After destroying a large quantity of 
forage collected by the enemy at Coram, as well as the works at Fort 
St. G-eorge, and much of the stores, Tallmadge loaded his prisoners 
with what was most valuable and portable, and, reaching his boats, 
sailed back in safety. 

This exploit was all the more welcome to the patriots, as two little 
forts in Northern New York had just been forced to yield to Major 
Carleton, who invested them with a force of English, Tories, and 
Indians : while Sir John Johnson was spreading terror through the 
Mohawk valley, with Brant and Cornplanter to aid him in his work of 
desolation. The Middle Fort would have been surrendered by the 
cowardly Major Woolsey, the commandant, but for Timothy Mui'phy, 
a famous rifleman, who shot every Englishman who approached with a 
flag, and so deceived Johnson as to their forces that he drew oif. Dur- 
ing all the fight Woolsey was among the women and children, or 
crawling around inside the intrenchments on his hands and knees. 

At the Lower Fort, Johnson was again repulsed ; but many places 
were given to the flames. Near Fort Paris the gallant Colo- 
nel Brown, who had by order of General Van Rensselaer marched 
out to meet the enemy, was overpowered by numbers and slain with 
forty of his men. Yan Rensselaer, after sacrificing this able officer, 
lost time in pursuing Johnson, but at last took the field and came up 
with the enemy at Klock's field. Johnson drew up to meet him, with 
regulars on his right, and his Greens in the centre, Brant and his In- 



THE WAR INVOLVES ALL EUROPE. 545 

dians oa the left. But so impetuous was the American charge, led by 
Morgan Lewis, Dubois, Cuyler, and the Oneidas under Colonel Louis, 
that the enemy gave way and fled, losing severely in the action and 
flight. But the inactive Van Rensselaer again allowed him to escape 
and reach Canada, after many ravages and captures that the American 
general should have prevented. 

This closed the operations of the year. As winter approached 
Washington went into winter-quarters, stationing the Pennsylvania 
line near Morristowu, the Jersey line at Pompton, near Paterson, the 
New England troops at West Point, those of New York at Albany, 
while the French remained in Rhode Island and Connecticut. 



CHAPTER IL 

Campaign of 1781 — Aspect of Affairs — Arnold leads an Expedition to Virginia, and is joined 
by Phillips — Lafayette sent against him — The Campaign in Carolina — General Morgan's bril- 
liant Victory at C'owpens — Greene's famous Retreat — Battle of Guilford Court House — Corn- 
waliis, pursued by Greene, enters Virginia — Lord Rawdon in the Carolinas — Battle of Hob- 
kirk's Hill — Siege of Ninety-Six — Death of Hayne — Lafayette and Cornwallis in Virginia 
— Cornwallis at Yorktown— Washington and De Grasse concert a Movement against him — 
Successful Co-operation — Cornwallis invested — Surrenders — Arnold ravages Connecticut. 

When the American Revolution began, it was considered in England 
as a trifle, a petty insurrection, to be put down at once : it had become 
a great and fearfully expensive war, and now the whole continent of 
Europe was arrayed against England. France and Spain were openly 
at war, and Holland, stung by England's arrogant assumption of a right 
to seize enemies' goods on neutral vessels, also became involved in the 
war, while Russia, Sweden, and Denmark formed an armed neutrality 
which resolved to submit to no British exactions. There was scarcely a 



546 THE RENEGADE GENERAL INVADES VIRGINIA. 

clime where English ships and English soldiers were not engaged. This 
made it uU the more difBcult to maintain their foothold in America. But 
while the\' could not send over new armies to crush the Americuns, the 
latter were in a state of exhaustion. Their paper money was worthless, 
their array unpaid, and ready to mutiny. On the 1st day of Janiiar}-, 
1781, fifteen hundred of the Pennsylvania Line, driven by want, parad- 
ed under ai'ms and refused to obey orders. General Wayne I'ode 
out to meet them, but when he drew his pistols ou the boldest he was 
encircled by a forest of bayonets pointed at his breast. " We respect 
you, G-eneral, we love you," said these men of his own State, '"but 
you are a dead man if von fire. Do not mistake us, we are not sroing; 
to the eiieiny ; on the contrary, were they to come out you should 
see us fight under you with as much resolution and alacrity as ever : 
but we wish a redress of grievances and will no longer be trifled with." 
Congress finall}' made satisfactory arrangements with these neglected 
men. They showed that they were really patriots by their treatment 
of some emissaries whom Clinton sent to win them over to the English 
side. They gave them all up to the commanding general, and with 
great satisfaction saw them hanged. 

G-eneral Arnold, who had sailed from fcandy Hook on the 19th of 
December, on the 30th entered Hampton Eoads. No provision 
had been made by Virginia, to meet a sudden invasion. So Arnold 
sailed up the James, with twelve hundred men in boats, convo,yed by 
the Hope and Swift, two small armed vessels. A battery at Hood's 
Point, checked them during the night of January 3, 1781. The 
next day, Arnold landed at Westover, and marched on Richmond. 
Governor Jefferson removed the archives and called out the militia, but 
only a few parties assembled, and these fled before Arnold without 



WASHINGTON ANXIOUS TO CAPTURE ARNOLD. 54/ 

making an}- resistance. The renegade entered the city, and after de- 
slroyiug tlie louudry, public stores, and some government papers at 
Westhaui, set lire to niiuiy of the public and private buildings in 
Richmond. He then retired as raj)idly as he had come. As the forces 
could be organized, he was pursued, but Arnold succeeded in reaching 
Porlsmoutli, opposite Norfolk. Here he was nearly caught, for the 
Eveille, a French man-oi'-war, with two large frigates, under de Till}-, 
from Newport, entered the Chesapeake, but they were not able to 
reach Portsmouth, one of the frigates having actually got aground in 
the attempt. Anxious to secure the traitor, Washington proceeded to 
New|)ort, and concerted with Rochambeau a movement of the French 
fleet and army against him. Admiral Destouches accordingly sailed, 
followed b}- the British admiral, Arbuthnot, who managed to intercept 
the French fleet at the entrance of Chesapeake Bay. A naval liatlle 
■ensued, but without a victory on either side. Arbuthnot, however, ef- 
fected his object, for Destouches .sailed back to Newport, leaving Arnold 
£afe at Portsmouth, to be watched by the Virginia militia, under Baron 
* Steuben. 

The English commander-in-chief, seeing the ease with which Arnold 
bad reached Richmond, resolved to reinforce him, so as to scourge 
Virginia like the more southerl}- colonies. 

In March, General Phillips was sent to the Chesapeake, with two 
thousand men, and being Arnold's superior in rank, took command of 
tlie whole English force in Virginia. 

He at once began a course of plunder and destruction. He swept 
through the peninsula between the York and James, destroying all the 
public stores and tobacco. He then entered Petersburg, where he de- 
stroyed immense quantities of tobacco and all the vessels lying in the 



548 TAULETON AGAIN IN Till'. SADDLE. 

river. Chesterfield Court-House and ^Manchester experienced the same 
fate. 

To relieve the State from the destructive inroads, Washington de- 
tached General Lafixyette, with part of the Northern army, and that 
commander entered Richmond just before Phillips entered Manchester, 
which lies opposite Richmond, on the James. The English general, 
finding that he had an army to confront, retreated down the river. 

When Greneral Greene took command of the Southern army, he sent 
Morgan to watch the enemy, while he himself strained every nerve to 
restore and reorganize the shattered army confided to him. Morgan 
had played his part w^ell. By the sudden dash of his cavalry, under 
Colonel Washington, at the Tories, near Ninety-Six, whom he sur- 
prised and slaughtered almost to a man. he struck terror through the 
Tories, and gave hope to the patriots. Cornwallis, anxiously awaiting 
reinforcements, had resolved to make no movement till they came, but 
he saw the necessity of crushing Morgan. So Tarleton was soon in the 
saddle with a thousand men. He advanced with his usual rapidity, 
crossing the Ennoree and Tiger. Morgan fell back towards the Broad, 
but as Cornwallis was advancing on his rear, he resolved to make a 
stand at Cowpens, in Spartanburg District, about three miles south of 
the North Carolina line. Here, on some small ridges covered with 
heavy red-oak and hickorj% Morgan drew up his army ; the militia of 
the Carolinas, under General Andrew Pickens, were the first line. In 
the second stood John Ea":er Howard, with Vir2;inia veterans and 
Continentals, completely concealed by the wood ; Washington's cavalry, 
with some Carolina mounted men, being in reserve. Morgan renewed 
their courage and confidence by a stirring speech, and awaited the at- 
tack. Tarleton drove in the American light troops in order to recon- 



THE SPELL OF TERROR BROKEN. 549 

noitre Morgan's position, then formed his liij.e, with the light infantry 
on the right, his own legion in the centre, and the Seventh regiment oa 
the lell. Then, at the head of his first line, he dashed upon Pickens. 
The militia stood firm as a rock, and when the enemy were within forty 
or fifty yards, poured in a well-directed volley. Tarleton's line was 
staggered, but kept on ; then Pickens fell back, firing steadily, and 
formed behind the second line. 

Supposing the victor,y won, Tarleton, with his usual impetuosity 
rushed forward, hoping to make short work of the second line, direct- 
ing his cavalry to attack the American left. But as the British horse 
advanced, a furious volley from Morgan's reserve emptied many a sad- 
dle and threw them into confusion, while Washington's cavalry swept 
down upon them, and the American sabre clashed on the legion hel- 
mets with a hearty good-will. The spell was broken, Tarleton's caval- 
ry, so long a terror, were driven back with terrible loss in men and 
still greater in prestige. 

Tarleton himself found his charge met by Howard's stern line. The 
fight was furious and deadly, but neither could move the other. Then 
Tarleton brought up his reserve, a regular regiment, the Seventy-First, 
and with them on one side and the cavalry on the other, again charged 
the stubborn American line, that gave him such ti'ouble as he had 
never had before. Howard, perceiving that his flanks would be turned, 
formed to receive them ; but as some confusion ensued. General Mor- 
gan ordered the whole line to fall back. 

Seeing this movement, Tarleton thought they were giving way, and 
rushed forward in pursuit so madly that his lines were broken. Then 
Morgan's voice rang out. His line halted, faced about, and hurled 
into the disordered English masses such a withering volley that it was 



550 A MOST FAMOUS RETREAT IN HISTORY. 

staggered, confused, and began to retreat. Then Howard's Continen- 
tals, tixiug bayonets, charged in a solid mass, and the British column 
was sent whirling back in utter disorder. In vain Tarlpton's cavalry 
tried to cover the retreat ; Washington was upon them, acd again the 
British horse fled. 

Tarleton escajjed with forty of these cavalry, and some more subse- 
quently reached Cornwallis' camp ; his infantry was almost entirely 
killed or taken, with his cannon, arms, wagons, and colors. On this 
bloody day the English had almost as many officers killed us Morgan 
had men ; Morgan's killed and wounded being only seventy-two, 
■while Tarleton's loss was two hundred and thirty-nine killed and 
wounded, and live hundred prisoners. Cornwallis, dismayed at a re- 
sult so utterly unexpected, acted with decision ; he destroyed his bag- 
gage and heavy stores, retaining only what was absolutely neces- 
sary, and started in pursuit of Morgan. 

That general, anticipating such a movement, left the wounded pris- 
oners at Cowpens with surgeons, and that evening crossed the Broad, 
beginnino; a retreat which is one o-f the most famous in historv. 

The fords of the Catawba was the point that he must reach. Corn- 
wallis, actually nearer to it, was pressing on to intercept him. On the 
evening of January 28th, Morgan reached Sherrard's Ford, and the 
next day the militia passed it with his prisoners, Morgan himself in 
the rear, with his Continentals and cavalry. Two hours later the 
British van reached the southern bank. It was too late to cross that 
night, but before morning heavy rains made the ford impassable, and 
there Cornwallis was forced to remain for three days, waiting for the 
waters to subside. 

Morgan sent forward his prisoners and captured stores and arms, 



THE HOT RETREAT AND CLOSE PURSUIT. 35 1 

and then, with the Mecklenburg and Rowan militia, under General Da- 
vitlson. who had rallied to his aid, prepared to ehc-ck Cornwallis. 
Greene liimself, leaving his main arm}' under the command of General 
Huger, hastened to Morgan's camp and took command. Cornw'allis at 
last resolved to force a passage at McCowan's ford. Here General 
Davidson was posted. As the English column was approaching the 
militia gave them a volley, but the English, avoiding their position, 
moved farther up, and some, reaching land, formed and replied. Da- 
vidson kept up his fire on those in the water and on land, killing the 
highest English officer on the shore and unhorsing Lord Cornwallis, who 
was still crossing. But the militia could not alone hold out against 
the British force, and while retreating in a masterly manner, General 
Davidson was shot through the heart. 

General Greene on this resumed the retreat, anxious and harassed 
as to his future plans, and in great distress for money. Alighting on« 
day, wet with rain, at the door of a hotel kej)! by Mrs. Steele, Greene 
told Dr. Reed, who greeted him on the porch, that he was tired out, 
hungry, and penniless. He sat gloomily down by the table in a room 
to which he was shown, to await some refreslnnents. Instead of these 
the landlady, who had overheard his remark, came in bearing two 
small bags of specie, the savings of years, and handing them to the 
general, she exclaimed : "Take these, General, you need them ; I can 
do without them." Such was the spirit of the undaunted women of 
the South, ready to sacrifice everything for the cause of freedom. 
Small as the offering was, it met a pressing want, and was thankfully 
received by the General. His retreat was another race, the English 
pushing on in close pursuit, so that their van was often in sight of tho 
American rear. Greene, however, crossed the Yadkin, on the night 



552 CORNWALLIS BAFFLED BUT NOT DISCOURAGED. 

between the 2d and 3d of February, after a sharp skirmish in which he 
lost a few of his wagons. But he secured all the boats to prevent 
Cornwallis from using them. The British commander reached the riv- 
er too late to cross in the darkness. Again the opportunity slipped 
from his grasp. A night of storm swelled the river, so that daylight 
showed him the Americans bej'ond, and no ford or boats to reach them. 
From the English artillery, a furious cannonade w^as opened on the 
American camp, and directed especially against a small cabin among 
the rocks, in which Greneral Greene had established his head-quarters. 
Here the American general was busy writing orders, dispatches, re- 
ports, indifferent to the cannonade, although the balls tore off boards 
from the frail structure. 

Baffled, but not disheartened, Cornwallis marched up the river to 
seek a ford, and General Greene, released from immediate pursuit, 
pressed on. 

On the 7th of February he formed a junction with the forces under 
Generals Huger and Williams, at Guilford Court-House, thus uniting 
all the army : but, till he received reinforcements, he did not wish to 
risk a battle with Cornwallis. So he still kept on towards the Dan. 
Cornwallis struck for the same point, both armies making daily most 
extraordinary marches, tasking the endurance of their men to the very 
utmost, without tents, with scant provisions, over wretched roads, and 
through heav}' rains ; the Americans, ragged and barefoot, marking their 
route bj' their blood. 

Greene passed the Dan on the 14th, with his array, baggage, and 
stores, having safely effected his masterly retreat of more than two 
hundred miles. 

Cornwallis, abandoning the pursuit, resolved to rouse the Tory spirit 



TA.RLETON S PANIC-STRICKEN RETREAT. 553 

in North Carolina, and sent Tarleton to the country between the Haw 
and Deep rivers, to encourage the adherents of the English cause. 

To thwart these plans of Cornwallis, Greene detached Lieuleuant-Col- 
«>nci Lee and General Pickens, to gain the British front, and check 
any Tory movement. Getting on Tarleton's track, Lee pretended his 
party to be a reinforcement sent to that officer. Two scouts of a Tory 
part}' fell into the trap, and the whole body, some four hundred in 
number, under Colonel Pyle, were suddenly confronted by Lee and his 
men. They opened fire on the Americans, however, but the superior 
discipline of Lees command made the struggle a short though bloody 
one. Nearly a hundred of the Tories were slain on the sjjot, and al- 
most every survivor wounded, without the loss of an American on 
Lee's side. Tarleton was only a mile off, but when some of the surviv- 
j ors of Pyle's party came dashing into his line wild with terror, Iheir 
I exaggerated accounts so alarmed him that he recrossed the Haw in hot 
', baste, and did not draw bridle till he reached Hillsborough, cutting 
I down on the way a Tory party hastening to join him, as nothing 
' could convince him that they were not Lee's troopers in disguise. 

In a few days after this blow, Greene, who did not believe in letting 
things stagnate, moved on the enemy, recrossing the Dan into North 
Carolina. Coruwallis at once retreated from Hillsborough. Greene 
followed liim up, and hovering around Troublesome Creek, made him- 
self very troublesome to his Lordship, moving in one direciion one day, 
m another the next, scouring the country wilh his light troops, and 
perplexing him beyond measure, while it gave his own men confidence 
and courage, and lessened their respect for (heir antagonists. So high 
I had Greene brought up the spirit of his men, that a small detachment 
j at Wetzell's mill held at bay for a considerable time the very flower 



554 GREENE RESOLVES TO GIVE BATTLE. 

of the British force. At last Cornwallis took post on the Alamance, 
:,!id here Greene, who had received reinforcements Irom Virginia and 
North Carolina, resolved to give him battle, and advanced to Guilford 
Court-House. Cornwallis, seeing his object, sent ofl' his baggage and 
stores under a strong guard, and moved out to meet General Greene on 
the way, or attack him in his encampment. 

Tarleton, supported by a brigade of the Guards, led the British line, 
but had not gone far before they were confronted bj' Lee, who opened 
by some irregular skirmishing, then suddenly made a furious dash, cut 
to pieces a section of the British dragoons, and drove the remainder in 
upon the Guards, whom Lee next attacked, inflicting severe loss, 
sweeping all before him, till Cornwallis ordered up a fresh regiment, 
the Welsh Fusileers. Then Lee fell back, and Cornwallis pushed 
on till he came in sight of Greene. The American general was 
drawn up on a large hill surrounded by other hills, most of them still 
covered by woods, with dense undergrowth. His first line, occupying 
the edge of the wood and two cleared fields, consisted of North Caro- 
lina militia, under Generals Eaton and Butler. The second line in the 
wood comprised Stevens' and Lawson's Virginia militia, while in a third, 
on a hill, were stationed the Continental troops of the Maryland and 
Virginia line. 

Cornwallis drew up his array, and about one o'clock moved forward 
with steadiness and composure upon the American forces. Greene's first 
line opened an irregular fire, but when the British replied with a steady 
volley, and charged with fixed bayonets, the militia turned and tied 
through the second line. There the Virginia militia stood firm, while 
Lee on their left, and Colonel "Washington on the right, so galled the 
enemy that be had to call up his reserves. For a time this brave 



THE COSTLY ENGLISH VICTORY. 555 

bod}' of militia contended for victory with tlie best troops and ablest 
ofiicers iu tlie British service, but at last it was forced to yield, and, re- 
tiring, formed again behind the Continentals ; though Campliell's rifles 
and the Leiiioii infuntrv still held their iiround. 

The first attack of the enemy was steadily repulsed by the sturdy 
Continentals, but when other English troops came up, the second Mary- 
hsnd broke before the charge of the guards and grenadiers who pursued 
them, till Colonel Gurley, with his veteran Marylanders, whom 
the English had not seen, wheeled, and taking the British in the flank, 
opened a destructive fire. The British, surprised at this unexpected at. 
tack, met it with great resolution. A fierce conflict ensued. Small- 
wood's veteran Marylanders, who had met the English at Brooklyn, 
Chatterton Hill, Germantown, Camden, and Cowpens. were full of ardor 
to achieve honor and fame. The English Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart 
fell by the hand of Captain Smith, of the Maryland line. The fall of 
their brave commander disheartened the Guards, the}- began to waver, 
when Colonel "Washington's horse dashed down on them, and, Colonel 
Howard ordering a charge of baj-onets, the Guards were almost anni- 
hilated. Americans and fugitives, in almost an inextricable mass, came 
rolling towards Lord Cornwallis, who, massing his artillery, opened a 
furious fire on friend and foe. 

Howard's own regiment, meanwhile, was again attacked by Web- 
ster and O'Hara with all the troops they could gallier : and still far- 
ther off", Campbell's militia was holding the Hessians at bay. 

Greene felt that he had done enough, nnd ordered a retreat, which 
he effected without loss, though pursued by the British reserve. 

The battle of Guilford Court-House was well fought, and creditable 
alike to both generals. It was a victory to Cornwallis, but a victory 



556 THE TRIUMPHANT VICTOR PURSUED. 

that cost him one-third of his army, and such a victory that another 
like it would sweep his whole army away. From pursuers the English 
became a retreating lorce, Cornwallis retiring so rapidlj" from the field 
he had just won, that he left nearly a hundred wounded on the field. 

Among his trophies were two six-pounders, captured fromBurgoyne 
at Saratoga, recovered by Cornwallis from Gates at Camdea, recap- 
tured by Morgan at Cowpens, and now again fallen into English hands. 

This battle was the first step in the movements which terminated 
in the overthrow of English power. Greene, beaten in the field, was 
now pursuing the triumphant victor. 

Cornwallis, retreating rapidly, reached Wilmington. Greene on the 
5th of April resolved on a new course, and instead of following up 
OornM^allis, resolved to attack Lord Rawdon at Camden. This left 
Cornwallis in perplexit}'. Should he pursue Greene, or make his way 
to Yirginia and leave Rawdoa to fight it out? He settled the question 
by marching to Petersburg in Virginia, where, on the 25th of May, he 
took command of all the British I'orces in that State. 

Greene moved rapi<lly down on Canidcu, but found Rawdon too 
strongly posted to justify an attack. Learning, however, that Colonel 
Watson was approaching the English general with reinforcements, he 
resolved to intercept him. Sending off his heavj- artillery and bag- 
gage, he moved with celeritj', and taking a good position awaited 
Watson. Finding that he did not come, he returned to Hobkirk'sHill. 
There Rawdon suddenly attacked him. Greene drew up his army 
skillfully, and had flanked Rawdon on both sides and was crushing him 
with his main body, when a panic arose in one of his best regiments, 
the 1st Maryland. It spread to others, and Greene saw the victory 
he had all but won slip from his grasp. Ho retreated to Saunder's 



THE PATRIOTS EVERYWHERE EXULTANT. 557 

Creek, Colonel Washington covering his march, and finally driving 
the enemy's pursuing corps back to Camden. 

Lord Rawdon had won the day after a hard fight, but that was all. 
He had lost more than a fourth of his men, and reaped no benefit. 
"Watson did at last reach Rawdon, after being constantly harassed and 
attacked by Marion, who, with Lee, on April 23d, captured Fort Wat- 
son, a strong stockade, with its garrison of a hundred and fourteen 
men. When Watson finally reached Camden, Rawdon marched out to 
attack Greene ; but the position of the American general looked too 
strong, and remembering Hobkirk's Hill he fell back to Camden, and, 
setting fire to all the public buildings in the place, he retreated towards 
Charleston, to the terror and dismay of the Tories who had joined him, 
but now beheld themselves left to the vengeance of the patriots whom 
they had oppressed. 

The English posts were everywhere assailed, and a general alarm 
prevailed. Augusta was besieged, and General Pickens was soon 
there to command the operations ; Marion was hammering away at 
Georgetown, Sumter menaced Orangeburg, and Greene himself was 
assailing Ninety-Six, a place so called in early times because it was 
ninety-six miles from there to the Cherokee country. 

Everywhere the patriots were exulting, and even women felt eager 
to show their love of country. Grace and Rachel Martin, two young 
married ladies whose husbands were in the field, heard that an Eng- 
lish courier, escorted by two British officers, would pass near their 
place with important dispatches. Arrayed in their husbands' clothes 
and fully armed, they lay in wait in the woods, and as the three horse- 
men came galloping on they sprang from the bushes, and presenting 
their pistols, demanded the surrender of the party and their dispatdi- 



558 BRAVE AMERICAN WOMEN. 

es. Taken utterly by surprise the officers submitted, gave up the 
papers, but were allowed to depart on parole. Their captors van- 
ished atouce in the woods, and reaching their home resumed their own 
dresses, after dispatching the documents to General Greene. They had 
gearcely done so when a knock sounded at the door ; the English officers, 
returning to their starting-point, had stopped at this house to ask ac- 
commodation for the night. The ladies, Avhom the officers did not at all 
suspect, drew the story out of them, and then rallied them on being 
captured by a couple of lads. " Had you no arms?" asked one of the 
ladies with a merry laugh. "Yes ! " they replied, " but we were taken 
off our guard and had no time to draw them." It was all the daring 
heroines could do to play the part of hostesses without betraying them- 
selves ; but the two officers rode off next day, without the least idea 
t^K^^fee two fair ladies who had entertained them had been the daring 
rebels in the wood. 

Fort Motte, the house of the patriotic Mrs. Rebecca Motte, which 
the British had seized and surrounded by a stockade and other works, 
was now an important point in the English line of forts. It was gar- 
risoned by a hundred and fifty infantry, and some cavalry, under Lieu- 
tenant McPherson. Marion and Lee, after their movements against 
Watson, invested Fort Motte. They pushed on the works vigorously 
and demanded a surrender. McPherson refused, and news soon came 
that Eawdon was approaching on his retreat from Camden. 

There seemed no way to reduce them in time except by firing the 
house. This the AnuM-icini commanders were reluctant to do, as Mrs. 
Motte was a widow who liad suffered greatly for the cause. When 
she heard of their hesitation, she at once told them she was gratified 
with the opportunity of contributing to her country's good, and herself 



DARING AND BRILLIANT EXPLOITS. 559 

brought a fine bow and arrow which had come from India, to enable 
them to send fiery shafts into the roof of her own home. When the 
English again refused to surrender, the arrows were discharged. Tiie 
roof was .^oon in a blaze, and the garrison prevented by a field- 
piece from all attempts to extinguish the tire. Then McPherson hung 
out the white flag and surrendered. 

Augusta was besieged by General Pickens and Colonel Lee, after 
the latter had by a splendid dash captured Fort Galphin, where the 
English had all their presents for the Indians in their interest — blan- 
; kets, ammunition, and other articles greatly needed by the Americans. 
Of the two forts at Augusta, one. Fort Grierson, manned by a small 
body of Georgia Tory militia, was soon attacked, and the men, abandon- 
ing the works, were nearly all killed or taken in the attempt to reach 
I Fort Cornwallis. That was a larger and stronger work, held by nearly 
j six hundred men, Tories, Creeks, and Cherokees, under Lieutenaiit- 
I Colonel Browne, an officer of great ability. A long and obstinate 
siege followed. The Americans had to construct towers to command 
the enemy's works, while Browne, by sorties, mines, and every arti- 
j fice skill could command endeavored to baffle them. He was ever on 
the alert, and no sooner did he detect a weak point in the American 
line than he hurled a mass of men upon it. But his assailants were 
sturdy men. In this siege occurred a rare scene in war, a charge of 
bayonets met and repulsed. At last, on the 6th of June, Browne sur- 
rendered, after having sustained veiy heavy loss. 

One English post after another was thus swept away, And Lord 
Eawdon, who had fallen back to Monk's Corner, was utterly unable to 
save them. His only hope was that reinforcements might arrive in 
time to enable him to regain lost ground. But on the 21st of May, 



560 GENERAI, (JREENE GIVES THE ENGLISH NO REST. 

Ninety-Six was invested by General Greene. It had been fortified 
by the best Englisli engineers, and was garrisoned by the very pick 
of Northern and Southern Tories. Kosciusko, as engineer, directed 
the works of the besiegers, which were steadily pushed forward, as the 
Tory commander, Cruger, refused to surrender. Lord Rawdon had re- 
ceived the reinforcements he had been looking for so wistfully, and 
early in June marched to raise the siege of Ninety-Six. Greene sent 
off Marion, Pickens, and Sumter, lo hold him in check, and redoubled 
his exertions to reduce the place. He cut off the garrison from water, 
set fire to the buildings, and at last, on the 18th, made a general as- 
sault. One of his columns entered the fort, but another was repulsed 
with severe loss. He therefore abandoned the siege and drew off, as 
Rawdon, who had eluded Generals Sumter and Marion, was rapidly ap- 
proaching. The English general pursued him, but soon after, falling 
back to Ninety-Six, evacuated that post and, followed by a herd of 
Tories with their families and property, marched toward the Congaree 
to meet detachmcMits from Charleston. General Greene at once turned 
back to cut him off. and Lord Rawdon retreated to Orangeburg. 
Greene, who had been joined by Sumter and Marion, marched on that 
place, but finding it too strong to assail safelj', contented himself with 
cutting off Rawdon's communications, by means of the partisan ofiBcers 
and cavalry. 

Greene's activity, skill, and perseverance gave the English no rest 
Rawdon's health failed and he returned to England, leaving Colonel 
Stewart in command. It was a great advantage to General Greene to 
have no longer before him the able general who had watched and 
badled him. After resting his troops on the high hills of the Santee, 
he moved down late in August to attack the enemy, who were posted 



SWEET POTATOES, I.U^UOR AND A DRUNKEN RAliULK. 561 

>it Eutaw Springs, about sixty miles from Charleston. Stewart, utterly 
unaware of Greene's approach, had sent out a large detachment to 
dig sweet potatoes in the plantations, and these wore all captured. 
When a party of his cavalry were driven in, he drew up his army to 
receive the attack. The Americans cautiously approached, but attack- 
ed with vigor. The battle soon became warm, and the Americans 
were pressing the enemy steadily, when Stewart, bringing up his re- 
serve, charged furiously, and Malmedy's North Carolina regiment was 
forced back. Fresh troops of that State were promptly pushed for- 
ward. Fiercer than ever raged the battle ; Stewart fought with skill 
and valor, and gathering all his strength charged so furiously that 
again the American line was broken. Then General Greene moved 
up the Virginia and Maryland brigades. With a hearty shout they' 
charged with fixed bayonets, while the Legion and State troops on the 
wings, who had steadily held their own, pressed ibrward, and, Lee 
turning the enemy's think, Stewart was driven from the field. Major 
Majoribankson theEnglisIi left alone held his ground, and he repulsed 
and captured Colonel Washington, who attempted to cut him off. 

Greene's army now poured into the English camp, and broke into 
disorder to plunder the tcnfs, which were all standing. Liquor passed 
freely around, and a scene of revehy ensued. While a party of To- 
ries held the other trooi)s in check at a large brick mansion. Major 
CoflBn repulsed the American cavalry, and dashed into the camp, cut- 
ting down the drunken rabl)le. Colonel Hampton, of South Carolina, 
however, cainc up, and a desperate cavalry fight ensued in the camp, 
till the English horse at last broke and fled, jtursued by the Americans. 
At the stone house they were compelled to fall back, and Majoribanks 
wrested their cannon from them. 



562 EXGIJSII COOPED UP IN CHARLESTON. 

Thus, in this strange battle, the success seemed to waver, but Stew- 
art was utterly beaten. Leaving his wounded, he retreated as rapidly 
as possible to Charleston, with Marion and Lee hanging on his rear, 
cutting off everj'- small party that left the main body. 

General Greene returned to the High Hills of the Santee. This 
important victory crowned the glory of General Greene. The people 
looked up to him as, next to Washington, their greatest general. Con- 
gress voted its thanks and a gold medal to the hero of Eutaw Springs. 

Among the gallant men who fell on that well-fought field, Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Campbell, of Virginia, deserves to be remembered. 
While leading the charge that won the day, he fell mortally wounded, 
and as he was borne off, asked who gave way. When told that the 
British were fleeing at all points, he replied : "I die contented ! " and 
immediately expired. 

The retreat of Stewart filled the laritish and their adherents with 
such alarm that many posts were abandoned, and the public stores 
burnt. At Charleston, the gates were closed, and negroes were driven 
out in gangs to fell trees, and impede progress by the road on the Neck. 

The battle of Eutaw Springs, crowning the cautious policy of 
Greene, closed the war in South Carolina. At the commencement of 
the year, that State lay at the mercy of the invaders, completely over- 
nm by their troops, who held it in a grasp of iron by their series of 
strong posts. At its close, the English were cooped up in Cliarleston, 
and "durst not venture twenty miles from the city. In November, 
Greene moved down, and completely hemmed them in. Then Gener- 
al Pickens marched to chastise the Cherokees, for having taken up 
arms for the King. They were vanquished, and compelled to purchase 
a peace by the cession of lands. 



" THE BOY CANNOT ESCAPE ME." 563 

Cornwallis, never dreaming of any such result, but sure that Raw- 
don would be able to hold his own, had entered Virginia, and with re- 
ini'orceinenLs sent by Sir Henry Clinton, and the troops already there, 
whose command also devolved on liim by the death of General Phillips, 
felt that he could ravage Virginia, as he had the more southerly States. 
Lafayette had an army of one thousand Continentals, twice a.s many 
militia, and a cavalry force of sixty dragoons. Lord Cornwallis 
laugiied at this army, and in high glee wrote to England : "The boy 
cannot escape me ! " He found, however, that Lafayette, young as he 
was, was a shrewd and cautious general, and avoided an action, yet 
hung near him so that he could not divide his force. He once attempt- 
ed to surprise Lafayette, but the Marquis, by getting a bold Jersey 
soldier, Charley Morgan, to desert to the enemy, contrived so to mis- 
lead and outwit Lord Cornwallis, that he escaped the danger. 

Cornwallis entered Richmond in June, but, according to orders from 
Sir Henry Clinton, moved down to Williamsburg. From that point 
he sent out parties to drive in cattle, but Lafayette was on the watch, 
and one part}^ got a pretty rough handling at Spencer's Ordinary, 
Tarleton, however, dispatched against Charlotteville, moved with his 
usual celerity, seized a number of the principal mcL of Virginia, as- 
sembled there in convention, as well as a considerable quantity of mil- 
itary stores and provisions. The great object of the raid was to secure 
the person of the author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas 
Jefferson ; he not only escaped, but saved a large part of the arms and 
ammunition. Simcoe, sent against Baron Steuben, forced that general 
to retreat in haste. 

Cornwallis now crossed the James, and Lafayette, intending to attack 
his rear, came upon him at Jamestown Ford, on the 6th of July. His 



564 YORKTOWN CHOSEN FOR A PERMANENT CAMP. 

cavalry, supported b}- the rides, made a vigorous onset, but Cornwallis, 
prepared for such a inovemcut, laced about, and his brigade of veter- 
ans, with Hessians, light troops, and artillery, moved in splendid array 
upon the American light troops. But the little corps held their own, 
and received the English veterans with perfect coolness, keeping up a 
steady fire till they were crowded back by overwhelming numbers to- 
wards a dense wood. There, unknown to the English, stood Wajne of 
Stony Point, with a small body of Continentals. Allowing the light 
troops to fall past his corps, pursued by part of the British force, he 
gave the word. Without firing a shot he charged with fixed bayonets 
on Cornwallis's line. The English, astonished at this sudden attack, at- 
tempted to hold their ground, but Wayne, after forcing them back 
slighth', coolly withdrew his men, and retired half a mile. Here 
Lafayette rallied his somewhat scattered force ; and Cornwallis, suppos- 
ing from the boldness of the whole movement that it was a feint to 
draw him into a trap, made no attempt to pursue him, but crossed over 
to Jamestown Island before morning, with evident haste. 

Clinton had called for part of his men, and Cornwallis was hastening 
to Portsmouth, to ship them to New York, when new orders came. 
Clinton had just received three thousand Hessians from Europe, so that 
Cornwallis was to hold what he had. A proper place for a permanent 
camp was the next consideration. Portsmouth did not suit. Point Com- 
fort was talked of, but Cornwallis finally decided on Yorktown, on the 
York river, with the village of Gloucester opposite. The water was 
deep, so thnt the vessels of the royal navy could reach it safely. It 
was a place eaisily defended, open to the sea, so that the troops could 
easily embark for any further operations or to retreat. 

Meanwhile, Washington was again concerting with the French naval 



WASHINGTON MEETS COUNT DEGRASSE. 565 

and military commanders, a grand movement by land and sea. He had 
set his heart on the capture of New York, the centre of the British 
power. De Grasse, the best of the French admirals yet seen in Ameri- 
can waters, was in the West Indies with a very large fleet, and would 
soon be on the coast of the United States. So Rochambeau marched 
from Rhode Island with the French army, and joined "Washington on 
the Hudson, while the advance of the American army, under General 
Lincoln, began to move down that river, and a vast number of flat- 
bottomed boats came down from Albany to convey the troops. Clin- 
ton called in all his outposts, and began to fortify his position on New 
York Island, to sustain a vigorous siege. 

Washington's call for troops had been, as usual, disregarded. He had 
not actually men enough to besiege New York, and worst of all, tid- 
ings came that De Grasse was sailing to the Chesapeake, not to New^ 
York. 

To make the best of the case, Washington now resolved to move 
rapidly down, and by the aid of the French fleet capture Lord Corn- 
wallis. Sir Henry Clinton saw his movement, but thought it merely 
a trick to draw him out of New York, so he kept on fortifying his posi- 
tion. All Washington's movements confirmed his delusion. A bold 
push was made at Kingsbridge, men were busy at boats and ovens, till 
the combined armies were bej^ond his reach. On the 30th of August 
they entered Philadelphia. The Count de Grasse was the same day 
at the mouth of the Chesapeake, and at once in communication with 
Lafayette and Washington. His light vessels ran up the Chesapeake 
to the Head of Elk, to which Washington and Rochambeau pressed on 
with all speed. Everything worked like a charm. On the 25th of 
September the last division reached Williamsburg, and Lafayette's 



566 CORNWALLIS BESIEGED AT YORKTOWN. 

force encamped there was united to that under Washington and Ro- 
chambeau. 

Sir Henry Clinton was now awakened to a sense of danger. He 
had kept Admiral Graves to resist the Fi-ench fleet at New York. Now 
that Graves was joined by Hood, from the West Indies, he sailed 
down to attack de Grasse. As he came in sight, the French admiral, 
covering the entrance to the Chesapeake, so that Graves should not 
slip in, formed to receive him. A sharp action ensued. De Grasse, 
well supported by Vaudreuil, a Canadian, and Bougainville, an old 
aide-de-camp of Montcalm, handled the British admiral so roughly that 
he gave up all hopes of reaching Cornwallis, or injuring the French 
fleet, and sailed back to New York. French troops were landed from 
the fleet, and de Barras came up with his squadron from Newport, 
bearing the heavy French siege guns. 

On the 28th of September the allied army was in motion, and took 
up a position within two miles of Cornwallis's line. The Americans 
were on the left, the French on the right ; across the river, the 
British, at Gloucester, were surrounded on the land side by a French 
force under de Choisy and General Weedon's Virginia militia. 

Cornwallis, cheered by encouraging letters from Sir Henry Clinton pro- 
mising speedy relief with a force of five thousand men, prepared to hold out. 

The besiegers pushed on their operations, narrowing in their lines 
around Yorktown. Continual skirmishes went on, till, on the night of 
October 6th, General Lincoln opened his trenches within six hundred 
yards of the English works. Cornwallis, on discovering it the next day, 
made a desperate attack on the French troops holding the trenches, 
but the Bf'ron Yiosmenil repulsed the English attack. 

Oo lUe Uh, the sieg^e guns were all in position, and Washington in 



COMPLKTELY COVERED BY HEAVY CANNON. 567 

person fired the first cannon from the American line. The French also 
opened fire. So fiercely did this artillery play on the English work.s, 
that they withdrew their cannon from the embrasures, and scarcely 
fired a shot in reply. Nor was it the enemy's works only that sufi"ered. 
Their shipping was cut up, the frigate Charon and three transports 
were set on fire, and totally destroyed. 

The English resumed their fii-e with vigor, and two redoubts in front 
of their left gave so much annoyance that on the evening of the 14th 
the}' were both attacked. A column of American light infantry, under 
General Lafayette, moved upon the redoubt on the right ; a column 
under Baron de Yiosmenil, of French grenadiers and chasseurs, as- 
saulted that on the left. 

By the pale light, the assaulting parties moved gallantly up without 
firing a shot ; over the abattis and palisades they poured, without waver- 
ing under the steady English fire. Both redoubts were carried almost 
simultaneously, the French losing nearly a hundred men, and captur- 
ing a lai-ger English body. These works were at once used by the be- 
siegers, and Cornwallis was completely covered by the heavy cannon 
directed from all sides. 

Yet he did not despair. Clinton's promised aid did not appear, but 
he resolved to leave his sick and wounded in his camp, cross over to 
Gloucester, and cut his way through to New York. He actually be- 
gan to carry out his scheme. Two divisions of his army had reached 
Gloucester, when a terrible storm arose. Day revealed his project. 
Under a heavy fire, he fell back to his Avorks at Yorktown. All hope 
was gone. On the 17th, he opened negotiations. Two days after, the 
posts of Yorklown and Gloucester were surrendered to the allied 
French and American forces. 



568 "CURNWALLIS HAS SURRENDERED,' 

This English army, which had destroyed fifteen millions of dollars 
worth of property in Virginia, and which numbered seven thousand 
men, became prisoners of war. G-eneral Lincoln, who had surrendered 
to Cornwallis at Charleston, Avas appointed to receive his sword. 

As rapidly as news could spread, the tidings of this great success ran 
through the countr3^ It reached Philadelphia by night, and the watch- 
men, calling out the hour, as was the custom, shouted out : " Cornwallis 
has surrendered.'" 

The great blow of thp war had been struck. Clinton sailed from 
New York the very day Cornwallis surrendered. He returned in all 
haste, and Washington, after dispatching two thousand men to rein- 
force General Greene, moved up to watch Clinton, and prevent any 
further barbarous expeditions like that just conducted by Arnold 
against New London. At that place. Fort Griswold was ably defended 
by Colonel Ledyard. When at last overpowered, he surrendered ; the 
British officer on entering cried : " Who commands this fort ? " "I did," 
replied Colonel Ledyard, " but you do now," at the same time present- 
ing his sword. The brutal officer seized it and plunged it into his heart. 
Then followed an indiscriminate massacre of the Americans. The 
bloodthirsty marauders, after pillaging and firing the town, retired. 

Some minor hostilities occurred, but it was evident that the war was 
over. Parliament soon declared for peace. Negotiations were opened, 
and Sir Guy Carleton, who succeeded Sir Henry Clinton, in letters to 
Washington, announced that he had virtually suspended hostilities. 

In the South, when General St. Clair joined General Greene, Wayne 
was sent to protect Georgia. The British general Clarke concentra- 
ted his forces at Savannah, but as Wayne was advancing to invest him, 
he was suddenly attacked by a strong force of Creeks, who showed 




■WASHINGTON AT THE BATTLE OP PEINCETOBT. (Page 455. Shea's History.) 



TKON ISIOXAl, TKKATV OF I'KACP: SIGNED. 569 

that they had acquired skill and discipline from the English. Wayne 
repulsed his savage assailants, and this closed the war in Georgia. 
Savannah surrendered in July, 1782. 

Charleston alone remained in the hands of the enemy. 

In December, Rochambeau's army, which had been in America two 
years and a half, and had contributed so well to the great result, em- 
barked at Boston. 

Washington took up his head-quarters at Newburg, New York, await- 
ing the termination of the long negotiations in Europe. At last, on the 
30th of November, 1782, a provisional treaty of peace was signed at 
Paris, which was approved and ratified bj^ Congress the next year. 

The war of the Revolution was ended. America had declared her 
Independence, and in a seven years' war had established it. 

The army, which had foudit so nobly and patriotically, was in a state 
of suffering, with long arrears of pay due them ; with no homes, it 
might l)e said, to welcome them. There were even projects of making 
Washington a king, but he nobly repulsed all such offers, and by his 
temperate and wise counsels induced them to trust to the justice of 
Congress. 

On the 19th of April, the cessation of hostilities was proclaimed in 
the camp. 

On the 30th of November, after the final treaty of peace was signed 
(Sept. 3), the British evacuated New York city. Washington en- 
tered, as it were, in triumph, and on the 4th of December he took 
leave of his companions in arms, the generals who had been so closely 
connected with him during the long strugcile. His emotions were too 
strong to be concealed. Filling a glass of wine, he turned to them 
and said : '■ With a heart full of love and gratitude I now take leave 



570 THE GENERAL-IN-CHIEF RESIGNS. 

of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as |»>osper- 
ous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and iionorable.'' 
Each one then grasped in turn the hand of the Father of his Country, 
and in silence Washington and his generals parted. 

The commander who had swayed the destinies of a continent, now 
modestly repaired to Congress, resigned his commission, and returned 
to private life at Mount Vernon, p.^tonishing the world by this unwonv^ 
ed spectacle. 



PART V, 



THE REPUBLIC UNDER THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION AND 
UNDER THE CONSTITUTION. 



CHAPTER I. 



The return to Peace — Articles of Confederation — Treaties with Foreign Countries — Indian Na- 
tions — Nortliwest Territory organized — A desire for a better Union— A Convention called — 
The new Constitution — It is accepted bj' eleven States — Close of the Continental Congress. 

The great struggle was over, peace once more reigned throughout 
America. The army wliich liad .so gallantly struggled on through 
every adversit}^ was disbanded, and the soldiers had returned to their 
hemes to engage once more in cultivating the soil, or exercising the 
various industries which contribute to a country's wealth. Washing- 
ton, crowned with glorj-, regarded with admiration, not only b}' his 
own country, but in Europe, was in retirement at Mount Vernon, re- 
taining none of the power he had so long wielded. 

There was much to do, to enable the country to recover from the 
desolation of war. 

Among the curious anecdotes of the struggle which now became pub- 
lie, one of the .strangest was that of Deborah Sampson, a young 
woman of Plvmouth, Massachusetts, who, disgui.sed as a man, enlisted 



572 TIIIC FEMALE SOLDIER DISCHARGED. 

in the army, in October, 1778. By her courage and fidelity as a sol- 
dier, she gained the approbation of the officers, and was always ready 
for the post of danger. She thus had many adventures, and did not 
escape unharmed, having received several wounds. At last a severe 
wound in the shoulder compelled her removal to an hospital, where 
a brain fever set in, and she was soon supposed to be dead. It was 
then for the first time seen that she was a woman. The physician in 
(Aarge took her to his house, and gradually restored her to health. 
When she recovered, her commanding officer sent the young soldier to 
General Washington with a letter. The soldier feared that her secret 
bad been discovered, and that the letter revealed it to the General-iu- 
Chief. When she presented the letter, she trembled as she had never 
done on the field of battle. Washington allowed her to retire while 
he read the letter. He then recalled her, and without a word, handed 
her a discharge from the army, and a note containing some words of 
advice, and money enough to enable her to reach some place where she 
might make her home. 

The United States, as recognized by the treaty of peace, embraced 
thirteen States, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, to which the District 
of Maine then belonged, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, which 
claimed Vermont, as New Hampshire did also. New Jersey, Pennsyl- 
vania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, of which Kentucky formed part, 
North Carolina, which then included Tennessee, South Carolina, and 
Georgia, of which Alabama and Mississippi were then part. The 
Mississippi River was, except near the mouth, the western boundary, sep- 
arating the new republic from the Spanish territory of Louisiana on 
the west. It was separated on the north from the British provinces, 
by the great lakes and the St. Lawrence, as far as St. Regis, from 



DIFFICULTIES OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 573 

which a line ran east to the bounds of Maine. Florida was still held by 
England, though it was soon after restored to Spain. The country 
northwest of the Ohio was the great Indian country, the only whites 
being a few of the old French settlers. 

The country was governed by the Articles of Confederation, ratified 
in 1781, all the powers being vested in Congress, composed of dele- 
gates chosen by the various State governments. The President of 
Congress was the virtual head of the republic, the personal represent- 
ative of the sovereignt}^ of the Union, and the ceremonial of his 
household was regulated on that footing, those being days of great dig- 
nity in men holding high office. The Presidents of Congress from the 
commencement were Peyton Randolph, of Virginia, Jolin Hancock, of 
Massachusetts, Henry Laurens, of South Carolina, John Jay, of New 
York, Samuel Huntington, of Connecticut, Thomas McK^an, of Dela- 
ware, John Hanson, of Maryland, Elias Boudinot, of New Jersey, 
Thomas Mifflin, of Pennsylvania, Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, 
Nathaniel Grorham, of Massachusetts, Arthur St. Clair, of Pennsylva- 
nia, and Cyrus Griffin, of Virginia. 

But the government under the Articles of Confederation was found 
difficult. Congress could lay no tax or duty. On all important points 
it was necessary for a bill to have the votes of nine States before it 
eoold pass, and then at least two members from each State were re- 
quired to vote. The heavy debt contracted during the war was still 
unsettled, and Congress could not induce the States to pay their several 
proportions. The army and the creditors of government were clamor- 
ous for money. The question of new States was urgent. Kentucky 
and Tennessee wished to be admitted as States, denying the authority 
<rf Virginia and North Carolina ; Vermont was ready to join Canada, 



574 THE SHAYS REBELLION CRUSHED. 

it she was not recognized as a State. Still, with all its weakness, the 
new government made some progress. It concluded treaties with 
France, Russia, and Morocco, regulated the currency by adopting 
the silver dollar of Spain as a standard, dividing it into a hundred 
parts, called cents, thus establishing what is known as the decimal sjg- 
tem, much easier to calculate than the old pounds, shilliugs, and pence. 
A mint was established in 1786, and copper coin were struck. The 
greatest act of this period, was the success of Congress in inducing the 
various States to give up all claim to the territory northwest of the 
Ohio, for which Congress, July 13, 1787, by a celebrated ordinance, 
established a regular government. 

The poverty of the country was great. The States, urged by Con- 
gress, endeavored to raise means to pay off the army and other debts. 
The attempt to lay taxes caused great dissatisfaction. New England 
showed the greatest discontent. In December, 1786, a body of insnr- 
gents in Massachusetts, took the field to obtain a redress of grievances, 
and were led by Daniel Shays, who had been a captain in the Conti- 
nental arm3^ The Grovernor of Massachusetts issued a proclamation, 
calling on the insurgents to disband, and urging the officers and cit- 
izens of the commonwealth to suppress the treasonable work. But 
the insurgents stood firm, and held several counties. Massachusetts 
then applied to Congress, which raised a little army of one thou- 
sand three hundred and forty men, but Massachusetts herself called out 
the mi"tia, and General Lincoln, at their head, marched against Shays, 
who was threatening Springfield, then, as now, a great arsenal. It 
had hardly been occupied by a part of the militia under General 
Shejmrd, before the insurgents attacked it. Lincoln acted with great 
energy and judgment, and without a battle, and very slight skip- 



fDNSTrri'TKi.NAi, (;iiN\ i:.\Ti()\ mkkis. 575 

mishing, dispersed the insurgents, and drove their leaders from the 
State. 

This, more perhaps than anything else, induced the States to yield to 
the advice of Congress, recommending a Federal Convention to y)re- 
pare amendments to the Articles of Confederation. Virginia, Penn- 
sylvania, Delaware, Georgia, North Carolina, New York, Massachu- 
setts, South Carolina, Connecticut, New Jersej', Maryland, and New 
Hampshire, in succession appointed delegates to the Convention. On 
Friday, the 25th of May, twenty-nine delegates, representing nine 
States, organized the Convention at the State-House in Philadelphia. 
G-eorge Washington, who was present as a delegate from Vii'ginia, was 
at once appointed President of the Convention. The delegates were, 
in general, men of the clearest mind and purest patriotism. All seemed 
to feel that it was necessary to remodel entirely the general govern- 
ment. On the 29th of May, Edward Randolph, of Virginia, laid be- 
fore the Convention a scheme embracing a national legislature in two 
houses, a national executive to be chosen by the legislature, and a ju- 
diciary. This scheme led to violent debates, the smaller States insist- 
ing on equal representation in both Houses, while the larger States 
wished the representation to be in proportion to the population. The 
slave population was another difficulty. The small States wished 
whites only counted as population, while the larger States, with many 
slavee, wished all to be counted. The debates and discussion led to 
compromises on various points. At last, on the 6th of August, 1787, 
the committee appointed to embody the various points decided, re- 
ported, not any amendment of the old Articles, but a new Constitution. 
This was put into shape by Gouverneur Morris. By this Constitution, 
the national legislature preserved the name of Congress, so justly hon- 



576 NEW CONSTITUTION PROPOSED. 

ored in America. The upper house was to be called a Senate, and 
composed of two members elected from each State, the lower house 
wa>s to be called the House of Representatives, and to be composed of 
members elected by the people of the several States, each State to have 
one representative for every forty thousand inhabitants, or as it was 
finally made, at Washington's suggestion, thirty thousand ; a President 
was to be chosen every four years, bj' electors selected by the people ; 
Federal courts were to be established, with a judiciary, and the powers of 
each branch of the government were laid down with remarkable clearness. 

The Constitution, as proposed by the Convention, was then submitted 
to Congress, to be laid before the States. By its terms, it provided that 
when ratified by nine States it should be put into force. 

When the new Constitution was made public, it aroused a strong 
feeling of opposition. There was much in it that excited alarm, and 
seemed to menace that liberty which had just been purchased by the 
greatest sacrifices. Able papers were written in favor of the Consti- 
tution and against it. A series of articles called the Federalist, written 
by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay, earnestly supporting the Constitution, 
produced a great impression, and are still regarded as the best exposition 
of the Constitution, and as such are used in colleges as a text-b©©k. 

Gradually the soundest patriots prevailed. Delaware adopted the 
Constitution in December. Her course was followed by more impor- 
tant States, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massa- 
ehusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, and New Hampshire. By the 
olose of Jane, 1788, all these States had ratified it, making the nine 
required by the terms of the Constitution to establish it as the law of 
the laad. These States did not, however, lie together ; the three 
great States of New York, Virginia, and North Carolina, broke the 



THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS DISSOLVED. 577 

other States into three groups. Virginia and New York were 
strongly opjjosed to it, unless certain amendments were made ; but as 
it was now necessaiy to accept or reject it, enter the Union, or set up as 
independent republics, they at last reluctantly joined the rest. Of the 
thirteen States which had stood side by side from the commencemeut 
of the Revolutionary struggle, two only, North Carolina and Rhode 
Island, stood aloof. North Carolina gave only a conditional approval, 
while Rhode Island would not even call a convention to consider it. 

The great work now before the country was to put the new scheme 
of government in operation. Preparations were at once made for 
elections in conformity with its provisions, for Representatives chosen 
by the people directly, for Senators chosen hy the legislature of each 
State, and for presidential electors. All passed off with great harmony. 

The Continental Congress now closed its labors, leaving all great 
questions for the action of the new government. It had organized 
Northwest Territory, which was governed by General St. Clair, who 
published a code of laws, and wisel}' encouraged immigration and 
colonization. Under the impulse thus given. Marietta arose, with set- 
tlements at the mouth of the Miami, and Losantiville was started, 
where Cincinnati now so proudly rears her head. Western New York 
was rapidly filling up with emigrants from the Eastern States. The 
Virginia emigrants in Kentucky felt that they needed a separate gov- 
ernment, and applied for admission as a State, while the people of 
Western Carolina, in what is now Tennessee, set up the State of 
Frankland, which North Carolina, however, soon suppressed. 

Such was the state of the country when the Continental Congress, 
having achieved its great work, the Independence of America, dis- 
solved of itself. 



CHAPTER 11. 

Gborse Washington President 1789-1797 — His Cabinet — Peace made with the Creeks and 
Cherokees — North Carolina and Rhode Island yield when treated as Foreign Countries — ■ 
The National Debt — War with the Miamics and Western Tribes — Defeat of General Har- 
raar — Bank of North America — Vermont and Kentucky admitted — St. Clair defeated by 
the Western Indians — Washington's Re-election — The French and their Ambassador, Genet 
— The Algerine Corsairs — Wayne overthrows tlie Indians and concludes a Peace — The 
Wliisky Insurrection — Indian Boundaries — Treaty witli Spain — Tennessee admitted — 
Washington's Farewell Address — He returns to Mount Vernon. 

The American people in adopting the Constitution looked to one 
man as alone capable of putting the government in operation. It 
seems a simple thing now, but it is one of the few cases in history 
where a government was set up and carried on successful!}' by the 
will of the people, and the only one where distinctions of rank did 
not exist, and a body of nobles control the destinies of the people. In 
our happy land all were equal, but all recognized the purit}' of char- 
acter and rare abilities of G-eorge Washington. 

The people felt the necessity of wise and prudent men, and the 
members of the first Congress included most of the eminent men of 
the time. 

The new Congress was to meet on the 4th of March, but owing to 
the wretched state of the roads, and other delays, it was not until a 
month later that the two houses organized. Meanwhile, the electors 
chosen in the different States had met and transmitted to Congress, in 
New York, their votes for President. These were opened on the Gth 
of April. Sixty-nine votes had been given, and every one bore 
first the name of George Washington. He was thus unanimously 
elected President of the United States. Of the second vote cast by 
the electors, thirty-four were given for John Adams, who thus became 



THE NEW GOVERNMENT INAUGURATED. 579 

Vice-President. Official information was at once dispatched to the 
President and Vice-President elect, and preparations at once begun 
to inaugurate the new government with all possible solemnity. At the 
corner of Wall and Nassau streets stands a white marble building; 
erected for a custom-house, but now used by the Treasury Department. 
Here in 1789 stood Federal Hall, which had been selected as the capi- 
tol. The merchants of New York citj^ with commendable public 
spirit, raised a large sum of money to put the building into such a state 
as to fit it for the reception of Congress. 

Mr. Adams, escorted by a troop of horse, came on and, having been 
sworn into office, took his seat as President of the Senate. All uovl 
awaited the coming of "Washington. The President elect felt great 
diffidence as to the step he was to take. He wrote to a friend 
in confidence, " I tell }'ou that mj movements to the chair of govern' 
ment will be accompanied b}'^ feelings not unlike those of a culprit 

\ who is going to the place of his execution ; so unwilling am I, in the even' 
ing of life, nearly consumed in public cares, to quit a peaceful abode 

\ for an ocean of difficulties, without that competency of political skill, 
abilities, and inclination, which are necessarj- to manage the helm." 

But the confidence of the people in his wisdom and integrity reas' 
sured him. His journey from Mount Vernon to New York was like 
a triumphal procession. Every village, town, and city through which 
he passed, showed, by applause, by military honors, by addresses, by 
triumphal arches, their desire to do him honor. As he passed the 
bridge over the Schuylkill, a boy placed above dropped a civic crown 
of laurel on his head. But the celebration at Trenton was the most 
beautiful of all, and has never been forgotten. The ladies of that city, 
whioh he had so gallantly rescued from the Hessians, had erected 



58a THE TRIUMPHAL JOURNEY OF THE CHIEF. 

over the stream near the city, a beautiful triumphal arch. Amid 
flowers and laurels at the top were the words : December 26th, 1776. 
On the curve of the arch stood out in bold gilt letters : " The Defend- 
Eu OF the Mothers will be the Protector of the Daughters." 

North of this were ranged thirteen beautiful girls, arrayed in white, 
with coronets of flowers, to represent the thirteen States. Behind 
stood all the ladies of the town. As soon as Washington arrived be- 
neath the arch, the girls began to sing a beautiful ode composed for 
the occasion, and with the last lines : 

" Strew, ye fair, his way with flowers, 
Strew your hero's way with flowers," 

they scattered flowers from baskets in their hands, upon the path where 
the Father of his Country was to pass. 

Washington was deeply moved by this beautiful and touching ex- 
pression of gratitude. 

The Governor of New Jersey escorted him to Elizabethtown Point, 
where a Committee of Congress was in waiting to receive him. Here, 
on the 23d of April, he embarked in an elegant barge of nineteen oars, 
manned by thirteen pilots, all dressed in white. New York Bay was 
alive with crafts of all kinds, decorated in the most holiday style ; many 
with bands of music or singers. Amid all this pageantry, the thunder 
of cannon, and the welcome shouts of the people, he reached Murray's 
Wharf. There the Governor of the State, the foreign ministers, the 
clergy of the city, with a large military force, met Washington, and con- 
ducted him in procession to the residence prepared for his reception. 
The whole city was illuminated at night, and a general joy prevailed. 

On the 30th all places of business were closed. Public service was 
performed in all the churches. After that, about noon, Committees of 



FIRST IMPORTANT DUTY — THE CABINET. 581 

Congress waited on Washington, who went in procession to Federal 
Hall. On the balcony in front of that building, Chancellor Livingston 
administered the oath of office, which Washington reverently repeated, 
adding, as he kissed the Bible, " So help me God." Then the Chan- 
cellor turning to the people exclaimed in a loud voice : " Long live 
George Washington, President of the United States." The shouts 
that rose from the dense crowd below was like the roar of the ocean, 
and the thunder of the artillery hardly rose above it. 

The whole country felt a sense of relief. If the country was to 
prosper, it would in the hands of such a President and Congress. 

Washington then entered the Senate Chamber and delivered his in- 
augural address to the two houses. He next, with the Vice-President, 
and the Senators and Representatives, proceeded to St. Paul's Church, 
where prayers were offered by Bishop Provost. Thus was God recog- 
nized in the whole ceremony of organizing the Government under 
the Constitution. 

The first important duty was to select a cabinet. For the time, 
Washington selected John Jay as Foreign Secretary, and General 
Knox as Secretary of War, and placed the Treasury in the hands of 
a Board of Commissioners, 

The United States had border and other difficulties with England 
and Spain which required to be adjusted, the more especially as Eng- 
land, maintaining military posts in the West, really influenced the In- 
dians to commit hostilities. In the southwest the Creeks, relying 
on Spain, were at war with Georgia. The corsairs of the Barbary 
States were plundering our ships. The treasury was empty, and all 
the machinery of the new government was to be set working. 

Congress now organized the Departments of Foreign Affairs, War, 



582 ALL THE STATES JOIN THE UNIO^^. 

and the Treasury, as well as the Supreme Court of the United 
States ; fixed the salaries of the President and other officers, Wash- 
ington asking that his salary should be limited to his actual expenses. 
For his permanent Cabinet Washington chose Thomas Jefferson as 
Secretary of Foreign Affairs, or of State ; Alexander Hamilton, Sec- 
retary of the Treasury ; General Knox, Secretary of War ; Edmund 
Randolph, Attorney-General ; and he appointed John Jay Chief 
Justice of the Supreme Court. 

Congress passed in this session the laws most urgently needed, and 
by its wisdom and harmony tended to confirm the general confidence. 
During its recess Washington visited the Eastern States, everywhere 
welcomed in the heartiest manner. 

The next session took up the great question of the National Debt. 
Hamilton, whose ability was remarkable, proposed that the United 
States should adopt the war-debt of the States, fund the whole debt, 
amounting to about seventy millions of dollars, and pay it off gradu- 
ally. This was finally adopted, with some modification as to the 
State debts. 

It was also decided to make Philadelphia the seat of government 
for ten years, after which it was to remove to some place on the 
Potomac. The selection of this spot was finally left to Washington, 
who fixed upon the District of Columbia, a tract ten miles square 
lying on both sides of the Potomac. 

North Carolina and Rhode Island, finding that they must either 
enter the Union, or be treated as foreitrn countries, and have custom- 
houses established all along their frontiers, adopted the Constitution, 
Rhode Island acting on the 29th of May, 1790. 

North Carolina, moreover, ceded to Congress the western territory 



INDIANS IN THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 583 

which she had hitherto claimed, and which was now orgranized as 
"The Territory of the United States south of the river Ohio." 

The Indian question was the next difificulty to be met. Washincrton 
sent to the Creek country Colonel Willett, a brave officer, cautious 
and politic. In conference with Alexander McGillivray, a half-breed 
who was the head chief of the Creeks, he paved the way for peace. 
The chief was the son of a Tory whose property had been confiscated ; 
and he felt bitter on that account. However, McGillivray, with other 
chiefs, were induced by Wiliett to accompany him to New York, 
where, in August, 1790, a treaty was finally concluded, which for a 
time gave peace to the South. 

In the northwest, the Indians showed a determined spirit of hostility, 
and there was no choice except to send an army to reduce and over- 
awe them. They had such a low idea of the American power, that it 
was necessary to make an impression. As the year i 789 was drawing 
to a close, General Harmar arrived at Fort Washington, a fortification 
erected on what is now Broadway, Cincinnati. He marched in with a 
body of three hundred soldiers, to the great joy of the scattered set- 
tlers of Ohio. It was not, however, till September, 1791, that prepa- 
rations for a regular campaign were completed. Then militia from 
Pennsylvania and Kentucky came up, and taking tlie van, marched 
into the interior. Harmar joined them with three hundred and twenty- 
five regulars, making the whole force under his command nearly fifteen 
hundred men. The Indians did not wait to engage so large a force, 
they fired their villages, and fled, as Colonel Hardin approached at the 
head of his Kentuckians. The latter detached a part of his men in 
pursuit, but the Indians turned, and throwing the militia into disorder, 
killed twenty-three, and scattered the whole party, so that only seven 



584 FINANCIAL PLAN OF ALEXANDER HAMILTON. 

reached Hardin's camp. Colonel Hardin, however, pushed on, and 
destroyed the rest of their towns, ravaging their fields. The army- 
then returned to Fort Washington, but as public opinion censured Har- 
mar, he again took the field. Near Chillicothe, he sent Hardin for- 
ward to meet the enemy. Early in the morning this detachment 
reached the enemy, and a severe engagement ensued. The Indians 
fought with desperate valor, and the militia gave way in spite of their 
gallant officers, many of whom perished. The American loss was more 
than a hundred and fifty. The Indians were, however, so severely han- 
dled that Harmar drew back to Fort Washington unpursued. 

A deep feeling of dissatisfaction prevailed as the news of this de- 
feat spread through the country. 

Congress at its next session had important matters under considera- 
tion. England showed an unfriendly disposition, and all Europe was 
evidently about to be involved in war, which would expose the United 
States to difficulties. At home it organized a new territory south of 
the Ohio, and prepared to select a district in which to establish the 
permanent capital of the United States. It was also necessary to 
raise a revenue to meet the public debt. In January, i 791, an act was 
passed laying a duty on spirituous liquors distilled in the United 
States, The tax was light, but it caused great discontent. To reg- 
ulate the financial affairs of the country, the Bank of the United States 
was established, on a plan proposed by Alexander Hamilton. This 
bank was from the first a matter on which opinions were greatly 
divided both in Congress and among the people, and ultimately be- 
came the question between the two great parties in the country. 

Washington, in a tour through the Southern States, received the 
same warm welcome that always hailed him ; and as Congress had left 



VERMONT ADMITTED TO THE UNION. 585 

it to him to select the site for the capital, he finally decided on a spot 
on the banks of the Potomac, partly in Maryland, and partly in Vir- 
ginia, the district to be ten miles square, the new city to lie on the 
Maryland side. 

Though party spirit began to run high, no doubts were any longer 
felt as to the success of the new government. The States still solic- 
ited admission into the Union. Early in January, 1 791, a Convention 
at Bennington, Vermont, adopted the Constitution of the United 
States, and applied for admission as a State. New York and New 
Hampshire yielded, and Vermont was admitted by Act of Congress, 
February 18, 1791. 

The repulse of Harmar had made the Indians only the bolder. Two 
expeditions against the Miamis, on the Wabash, proved ineffectual. 
General Arthur St. Clair, a veteran of the Revolution, and at one time 
President of the Continental Congress, was now Governor of the Ter- 
ritory northwest of the Ohio. To him was confided a general and 
decisive campaign against the Indians. The frontiers, with their 
hardy and industrious settlers, so long exposed to the midnight horrors 
of Indian warfare, now began to breathe freely, and the whole coun- 
try felt that the work of pacification would be sharp and prompt. 

In October, 1791, he took the field at the head of an army of nearly 
two thousand men. But so slowly did he advance towards the Wabash, 
that his militia and the friendly I ndians who had joined him abandoned 
him in great numbers, and when, in November, he reached the Wa- 
bash, and encamped on the banks of the St. Mary's, within a few miles 
of the Miami villages, he had to wait for reinforcements, as his force 
was reduced to fourteen hundred men. The Indians were not so blind 
as to allow their opportunity to escape them. Meshecunnaqua, or, as 



586 A MOST DISASTROUS DEFEAT. 

the whites called him, The Little Turtle, was the chief of the Miamis, 
and a man of great ability. He had watched and studied the policy of 
the Americans, and had been in both battles against Harmar. With 
Buckongehelas, he planned an attack on St. Clair's ill-guarded camp. 
On the 4th of November, half an hour before sunrise, the war-whoop 
rang out as they burst suddenly in full force on St. Clair's camp, their 
main attack being on a part held by militia and raw troops, who fled 
in utter terror across a creek into the camp of the regulars. On 
rushed the Indians in pursuit, till St. Clair's first and second lines, has- 
tily drawn up, met them with a steady fire of artillery and musketry. 
For a moment the Indian line halted, but rousedby their chiefs, one of 
them in British uniform, they charged with a yell, while an incessant 
fire was kept up from the ground, from among the grass, and from 
every log and tree. The artillerymen in the centre were shot down at 
their guns, the shrewd chiefs having picked out men to look to this, 
and deprive St. Clair of the use of his cannon. The braves fairly toma- 
hawked men at the guns. Two pieces were lost. In vain the regulars 
charged ; the Indians fell back a few hundred yards, but advanced 
again as soon as the troops retired. Another charge was as fruitless. 
Twice were the cannon retaken, but it was impossible to use them. 
The Indians swarmed on all sides ; the troops, who had lost nearly all 
their officers, were totally demoralized. More than half the rank and 
file were killed, and there seemed little hope of escape for the rest. 
The ground was covered with the dead and dying, the freshly scalped 
heads reeking with smoke ; the little ravine that led to the creek actu- 
ally ran with human blood. It was now nine o'clock, when St. Clair, 
who had three horses shot under him, rallied his men for a desperate 
charge on the Indian line in his rear. The American army gained the 



FIRST REGULAR AMERICAN COIN. 587 

road, and abandoning the camp with all its equipments, artillery, and 
baggage, began a retreat which soon became a flight as the militia 
flung away their arms and accoutrements. The remnant of the force, 
in disorder and panic, reached Fort Jefferson. 

Never since Braddock's defeat had the whites suffered so disastrous 
a defeat. 

The whole frontier was again left exposed to the ravages of the 
Indians, now elated by victory, and full of contempt for the Ameri- 
cans. 

In Congress, where so much depended on harmony, party spirit was 
violent, and delayed public business. A bill for fixing the ratio of the 
representation in Congress led to fierce debates, and as first passed 
seemed to Washington so injudicious that he could not sign it, and re- 
turned it with his veto. The act to increase the army met with no op- 
position, for all felt the necessity of organizing an army to reduce the 
western Indians. The coinage of money, however, led to violent de- 
bates. A pattern piece had been struck, having on the reverse or tail, 
One Cent, in a laurel wreath, with riff below, and Unity States of 
America around, and on the obverse or head, a head of Washington. 
The republican party stigmatized this as favoring a monarchy, and to 
please them, the head of a pagan goddess, Liberty, was substituted 
for the head of Washington. The reverse was retained; and in this 
way the first regular American coin, the Cent, was struck in 1793. 
The cents of that year are now very scarce and much prized. 

For a time these discussions and party differences had not affected 
General Washington, but gradually he was attacked with great vir- 
ulence. That illustrious man, who had so reluctantly accepted office. 
now weary of his painful position, with opposition even in his cabinet, 



588 INDIAN mFFICULTIES AND NATIONAL DEBT. 

wished to retire to private life at Mount Vernon. The true patriots, 
however, looked with dread on this step, and the leading men of all 
parties urged him so earnestly to become again a candidate that he 
yielded. When the election came off Washington was again chosen 
President, and Adams Vice-President. 

The Indian affairs at the West were still a great source of care. 
General Wayne had been appointed to command the forces, but a 
strong party in the country were opposed to war, and clamored for a 
peaceable settlement of the difficulties with the red men, although, 
between 1 780 and i 790, fifteen hundred inhabitants of Kentucky had 
been massacred in their homes, or carried off to endure the rigors and 
tortures of Indian captivity. Nor had the frontiers of Virginia and 
Pennsylvania suffered less. Yielding to the clamors of the peace 
party, envoys were dispatched. Two officers, Colonel Harden and 
Major Trueman, who were sent to negotiate with them, were barbar- 
ously murdered. It was evident that nothing but a thorough cam- 
paign against them would have any efifect, especially as the English, 
in spite of the treaty of 1783, still held several posts in the West, 
where they supplied the Indians with arms, gave them hopes of 
English aid, and filled their minds with hatred and contempt for the 
Americans. 

While this Indian difficulty, and the national debt, which Hamilton 
was devising plans to meet, occupied the public mind, alarming news 
arrived from Europe. France was in the midst of a bloody revolution. 
Louis XVI., whom America had reason to respect, had perished on 
the scaffold, soon to be followed by his queen, Marie Antoinette. A 
general war in Europe was imminent, the new republic having already 
begun hostilities with England. Counting on the alliance and support 



FRENCH JACOIUNS AND THEIR AGENT IN AMERICA. 589 

of the United States, the French republic sent out as ambassador to 
Washington, Genet, a bold and enterprising man. Of the two parties 
which had arisen in the United States, the republicans, headed by 
Jefferson, sympathized with France, while the Federalists, who sup- 
ported Washington and Adams, could not approve the excesses com- 
mitted in France, and looked with alarm at the mad course on which 
that country had entered. On his arrival at Charleston, in South 
Carolina, Genet was warmly received by the Democratic clubs, which 
had been formed in various parts of the United States, in connection 
with the Jacobin club of Paris. Intoxicated by the honors thus done 
him. Genet began a bold course ; he issued commissions, and fitted 
out privateers in the United States, to sail against English commerce. 
Vessels captured by these cruisers were brought into Charleston, and 
sold under the authority of French consuls. All thoughtful men 
were alarmed. Washington issued a proclamation, warning people 
against being misled by such foreign agents, but Genet, backed by 
the .more ardent opponents of Washington's administration, and its 
temperate policy, openly set government at defiance. A vessel fitted 
out under Genet's authority, eluded tlie authorities, and sailed out of 
the Delaware. Washington, unwilling to come to an open rupture 
with France, at last requested the government of that country to 
recall M. Genet, and Congress passed an act prohibiting enlistment 
for the service of any foreign power, or the fitting out of privateers, 
except by the authority of the United States. 

Our affairs were at the same time in so difficult a position with Eng- 
land, that this affair was most unfortunate. It exasperated the Eng- 
lish government, which was already complaining of tlie United States, 
alleging that they had violated the late treaty, by preventing English 



590 LOOKS LIKE WAR WITH ENGLAND. 

merchants from recovering debts due them by Americans before the 
Revolution. The new cause of complaint arising from the seizure of 
English ships by French privateers, fitted out in the ports of the 
United States, made the feeling still more bitter. On our side, the 
government complained that in violation of the treaty, England main- 
tained posts in the West, in territory clearly belonging to the United 
States, and had even established new military posts among the Indian 
tribes, aiding and supporting them by age.nts in their midst to carry 
on a savage warfare upon our frontiers. Another cause of complaint, 
and one long maintained, arose from the arrogant claim made, and en- 
forced by English men-of-war, which constantly boarded American 
vessels, and impressed men as sailors under the pretence, often totally 
unfounded, that they were British subjects. They also, by their pri- 
vateers and men-of-war, seized many American ships on their way to 
France, violating all the right of the United States as a neutral power. 

For a time there was no intercourse between the two govern- 
ments, but in I 791, England made the first step, by sending out Mr. 
George Hammond as Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States. 

Now that matters looked so much like war, Congress prepared to 
lay an embargo on all ships and vessels bound to any foreign port, 
and to sequestrate all debts due to British subjects, to make good 
all damages caused by British vessels. But tidings came that Eng- 
land had modified her orders in council. Washington then nomi- 
nated Chief Justice Jay, as envoy extraordinary, to negotiate a new 
treaty, giving redress for the past, and security for the future. In 
spite of this, however. Congress would have passed an act prohibit- 
ing all intercourse with Great Britain, had not the Vice-President, 
by his casting vote, defeated it in the Senate. 



INDIAN TROUBLES IN THE WEST. 59 1 

Laws were passed to make active preparations for the war which 
seemed so near, by raising an army and navy. 

Mr. Monroe was sent as minister to France, to endeavor to prevent 
any action there that might increase our difficulties. 

Portugal, which had long been at war with Algiers, and in a manner 
protected other nations, by preventing the corsairs from coming out 
through the Straits of Gibraltar, had now made peace, it was said, at 
English suggestion, and several American vesse-ls were soon after 
captured by those pirates, and their crews condemned to a life of 
slavery. To redeem them was an object of solicitude to the Ameri- 
can eovernment. A naval force would soon have effected this, but 
the opposition resisted it, and it was finally resolved to purchase 
their freedom by the payment of a million of dollars. 

The Indian affairs in the West were, however, at last brought to a 
settlement by the decision and energy of General Anthony Wayne. 
Taking command too late in the year for an effective campaign, he 
pushed on with his army to St. Clair's battle-field, and there erected 
Fort Recovery, which he made his camp for the winter. In 1794, he 
advanced cautiously. The regulars were a new organization called 
"The Legion of the United States," specially enrolled, an 1 whom 
Wayne had waited to drill, and form into good soldiers, and expert 
Indian fighters, before he exposed them to action. Every precaution 
was taken to prevent surprise or panic. 

Now that he was advancing into the heart of the enemy's country, 
skirmishes took place, which gave experience and confidence. In Au- 
gust, he erected Fort Defiance, at the junction of the Auglaize and 
Miami. Leaving a garrison here, the army pushed on in high spirits, 
the two thousand legion troops, with eleven hundred mounted Ken- 



592 VICTORY OVER THE INDIANS. 

tiickians, under General Scott. These were on the flanks in the march, 
and between them and the main body were riflemen. On the 20th, 
Price's battaHon, in the van, received a warm fire from an unseen foe, 
and was driven back. The enemy, comprising the Miamisand many 
other tribes, were upon them in force, eager to contest the soil with the 
Americans. They had selected their battle-ground wisely. They were 
in a dense wood which lay in front of a recently erected British fort, 
and they were protected by a quantity of trees thrown down by a tor- 
nado, which formed an intrenchment almost impassable by horsemen. 
They were drawn up in three lines with their left on the Maumee. 

Their first movement was an attempt to turn the left flank of the 
Americans, but as soon as the firing began, Wayne formed the legion 
in two lines, and the first charged with trailed arms, to rouse the Indi- 
ans with the bayonet from their coverts, behind logs, and in the grass, 
and when they had dislodged them, to pour in a steady volley, and 
press them so rapidly that they should not have time to load. The 
second line was ordered to check the Indians who w'ere endeavoring to 
turn his left, and the cavalry skirting the river, and wheeling around on 
the other winsf, were to take them in flank. With one tremendous 
shout, the legion sprang forward. The startled Indians sprang from 
their ambush, and with a scattering fire fled, pursued by the terrible 
volleys of the legion. Forty fell dead, others were carried off. Away 
through the wood rolled the tide of battle, the Indians being driven 
for an hour, with constant loss, for more than two miles, till the 
routed, crestfallen braves at last sought shelter under the guns of the 
British fort. So impetuous was this charge of Wayne's first line that 
the second and the cavalry hardly got into the fight at all. 
■ The victorious general halted to give his troops time to take some re- 



PEACE WITH THE SAVAGES — INSURRECTION. 593 

freshnients, then he marched down the river, and encamped within 
half a mile of the British Fort Miami. Here he remained three days, 
burning and ravaging the houses and cornfields all around the fort, 
and within pistol-shot of it, and though the English commander 
attempted to take a high tone. General Wayne was so decided that 
he cooled down. The houses of English and Canadians amono- the 
Indians, fared like the wigwams. 

His complete victory cost Wayne about a hundred men. It was 
supposed that it would bring the Indians to ask peace, but as they 
held out Wayne laid waste their whole country, and built forts in 
the very heart of their settlements to prevent their return. 

The spirit of the Indians was broken, and a general war all along 
the frontiers was happily avoided. 

The Miamis at last made overtures of peace, and on the 3d of Au- 
gust, 1795, Wayne concluded a treaty at Fort Grenville, with the 
Wyandots, Delawares, Shawnees, Ottawas, Chippewas, Pottawata- 
mies, Miamis, Kikapoos, and Illinois. A boundary line was assigned 
to them, and annual presents agreed upon in return for the lands 
which they gave up forever. 

This triumph over the savage foe was complete : but while war was 
thus banished from the frontiers, where the hardy backwoodsman was 
pushing on as the pioneer of civilization, a dangerous insurrection 
broke out in western Pennsylvania. The tax laid on spirituous 
liquors was very unpopular, and excited discontent, which at last 
resulted in acts of violence. In July, 1794, the marshal was shot at, 
and the next day, a body of five hundred insurgents attacked the 
house of the inspector, who had obtained a detachment of eleven 
men from Fort Pitt for his protection. They were summoned to sur- 



594 EXHIBITION OF POWER .^^A'D LENIENCY. 

render, and finally did so, when the buildings had been set on fire, 
and all escape was cut off. The Insurgents seized the mails, and opened 
all letters, to discover those in favor of enforcing the law. President 
Washington saw the danger. If insurgents could thus defy the laws 
of the United States all government was at an end. Governor Mif- 
flin, of Pennsylvania, did not believe the State militia able to quell 
the insurrection. Washington, thereupon, by proclamation, called 
upon all the insurgents to disperse and retire before the ist of Sep- 
tember. He also made a requisition on the Governors of New Jer- 
sey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, for militia to form an 
army of fifteen thousand men. The States responded to the call ; the 
militia turned out with uncommon alacrity. The army, under the 
control of Governor Lee, of Virginia, marched into the country of 
the insurgents, but found no body of men in arms to oppose them. 
Overawed by this display of force, the insurgents lost all hope, their 
leaders were arrested or fled, and the people whom they had led into 
the rebellion submitted to the government. 

The government acquired new popularity by its exhibition of 
power, and still more by the leniency with which it treated the mis- 
guided men. 

The arrival of the news of Jay's treaty was another source of dis- 
content, and some riotous displays took place, designing leaders in- 
ducing the people to believe that the honor and interests of the 
country had been betrayed. But the people generally sustained 
Washington, and refused to believe that he could have become a 
traitor to his country. Now, when we look back at those times, with 
the reverence for Washington which time has given, we can scarcely 
believe that any American could have been so unjust towards him. 



GOOD FEELING AMONG INDIAN TRIBES. 595 

Congress showed also itssupport of Washington's policy ; the House 
of Representatives voted money to carry out the treaty. By its terms, 
England finally withdrew her troops from the western posts which 
she had so long held to the annoyance and injury of our growino- set- 
tlements. She also made compensation for the illegal captures of 
American vessels by her cruisers. On our side the government of 
the United States secured to British creditors proper means for col- 
lecting debts due them when the Revolution broke out. 

As soon as British influence was removed from the West, Congress 
passed an act regulating intercourse with the Indian tribes, and estab- 
lishing a boundary along the western frontier, beyond whicli no white 
man was to be allowed to go, either for hunting or pasturage, without 
a pass. This vast Indian territory was separated into two parts by 
Kentucky, but it comprised nearly one-half the whole territory of the 
United States, which, our readers will remember, then extended only 
to the Mississippi, and did not include Florida. Special provision was 
made for the punishment of offenses committed by either whites or 
Indians. Another step was taken for the improvement of the Indians, 
by appropriating money to supply them with agricultural implements, 
so that they might be induced to rely less on hunting, and cultivate 
the ground like the whites. A great difficulty has always been, that 
wicked and unprincipled traders corrupt the Indians, lead them into 
intoxication, and then rob them in various ways. Laws were passed 
to prevent this as far as possible. 

All these steps produced a good feeling among the various Indian 
tribes, and a general and secure peace enabled the hardy pioneers to 
extend the settlements in all directions. 

On the west and south, the United States was bounded by Spanish 



596 TREATY WITH SPAIN — TENNESSEE ADMITTED. 

colonies. The western bank of the Mississippi, whatever of Louisi- 
ana lay east of that river, and Florida, were held by Spain, so that 
many questions arose between the two countries. On the 27th of Oc- 
tober, 1795, a treaty was concluded with Spain, and ratified in the 
following year, by which the bounds of Florida were fixed at the lim- 
its set out in the treaty between the United States and Great Britain, 
that is, from the Mississippi at 31° North, to the junction of the 
Flint and Apalachicola, and thence to the head of the St. Mary's. 
On the west, the boundary was to be the middle of the channel of 
the Mississippi to the thirty-first degree of north latitude, the naviga- 
tion of the river remaining forever free to the citizens of both nations. 
For purposes of trade, Americans were to have the right to store goods 
for three months at New Orleans. Both parties also pledged them- 
selves to use their best endeavors to restrain their Indians from com- 
mitting any hostilities beyond their lines, and to refrain from tam- 
pering in anyway with the Indian tribes of the neighboring State. 
Another State was now ready to enter the Union. Tennessee had 
already endeavored ineffectually to set up an independent government. 
They went to work again in i 796, and, acting on their own responsi- 
bility, declared themselves a State, adopted a constitution, and elected 
senators and representatives to Congress. These proceedings, as 
being utterly irregular, were condemned, as Congress had not fixed 
the territory of the new State, or directed the election. The want 
of due formality was, however, overlooked, and Tennessee became 
the sixteenth State in the Union. 

Such were the chief acts of Washington's second administration. 
It was now drawing to a close. He had organized the government 
under the new constitution, and the United States had entered on a 



PEACE ABROAD PROSPERITY AT HOME. 597 

career of peace and prosperity. With England and Spain, the coun- 
tries whose colonies bordered on our land, we were at peace. France, 
our old all} , showed a spirit of reckless hostility which might lead to 
some trouble, but this afforded no grounds for alarm. At home, all 
was prosperous ; industry, agriculture, manufactures were thriving ; 
the public debt was gradually decreasing, without any severe bur- 
dens being imposed on the people ; the happiness and security en- 
joyed here invited many from the Old World, and a large emigration 
began from Ireland and France. Educational establishments were 
multiplied, .and New York adopted a system of common schools, to 
extend to all the benefits of education. Pennsylvania hesitated 
to follow in the same course only from a fear that education without 
a religious basis may prove a curse and not a blessing. 

Washington felt that his labor was complete. He had most reluc- 
tantly accepted a second term ; it had been one of pain and anxiety. 
It is sad to think how so great and good a man was assailed and ma- 
ligned. He longed to return once more to his peaceful retreat at 
Mount Vernon. He announced his intention of retiring in a Fare- 
well Address, which is one oi the greatest monuments of his wisdom 
and patriotism. 

He implored them to hold the Union between the States inviolab.e. 
" It is of infinite moment," says the Father of his Country, " that you 
should properly estimate the immense value of your national union to 
your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish a 
cordial, habitual, and immovable attachment to it, accustoming your- 
selves to think and speak of it as of the palladium of your political 
safety and prosperity ; watching for its preservation with jealous 
anxiety ; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion 



59S WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL ADDRESS. 

that it can in any event be abandoned ; and indignantly frowning 
upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of 
our country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now 
link together the various parts. For this you have every induce- 
ment of sympathy and interest. Citizens, by birth or choice, 
of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate 
your affections. The name of Americans, which belongs to you 
in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of 
patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discrim- 
inations. 

" This government, the offspring of our own choice, uninfluenced 
and unawed ; adopted upon full investigation and matvire delibera- 
tion, completely free in its principles, in the distribution of its powers 
uniting security with energy, and containing within itself a provi- 
sion for its own amendments, has a just claim to your confidence and 
support. Respect for its authority, compliance with its laws, acquies- 
cence in its measures, are duties enjoined by the fundamental ma.xims 
of true liberty." 

He warned them against the violence of party spirit, and against 
the danger of one department of government encroaching on another. 
He urged the establishment of institutions for the diffusing of knowl- 
edge as the best security. 

In regard to foreign nations, this wise man urged peace and justice, 
avoiding excessive fondness, or antipathy, towards any ; avoiding all 
occasions of being drawn into the disputes between foreign nations, 
and, still more, preventing all interference of foreign governments in 
our national affairs. 

This address was everywhere received with profound reverence. 



FEDERALIST PRESIDENT — REPUBLICAN VICE-PRESIDENT. 599 

The various States, through their legislatures, responded to his patri- 
otic and wise address. 

The third presidential election saw two great parties arrayed. The 
Federalists, who supported the policy hitherto followed by Washing- 
ton, nominated John Adams for President, and Thomas Pinckney for 
Vice-President. The Republicans, orantifederalists, took up Thomas 
Jefferson as their strongest candidate. The election was an exciting 
one, but it was soon evident that Adams was elected. Washington's 
messao'e to Congress was touchine. as he stood for the last time in 
the hall of Congress, addressing the Senate and House of Represen- 
tatives — for his messages were always spoken b)' him ; not sent in 
writing, as is now the custom. He closed with the wish that the 
Union which they had formed for their protection might be perpetual. 

The answer of the Senate was cordial ; but, in the House, some 
impulsive Republicans wished to strike out all words that expressed 
attachment to Washington's character and person, all approbation of 
his administration, or regret at his retiring from office. 

When the electoral vote was counted in the House, John Adams 
had seventy-one votes, and Thomas Pinckney only fifty-nine, some 
Federalists having voted for other candidates. Thomas Jefferson re- 
ceived sixty-eight votes, and became, as the law was then, Vice-Presi- 
dent, although he had run for the presidenc)-. This seems strange ; 
but under the Constitution, each elector voted for two persons for 
President, and the one eettinsr thehicrhest number became President, 
the one eettine the next hiohest number became Vice-President. 

Washinorton's administration closed; he retired from office, and set 
out for his own home at Mount Vernon. Everywhere on the road 
he was welcomed with enthusiasm and reverence. 



CHAPTER III. 

JOHN ADAMS, SECOND PRESIDENT— 1797-1801. 

Affairs with France — Mississippi Territory Organized — War with France on the Ocean — The 
Alien and Sedition Acts — Death of General Washington — Seat of Government Removed to 
Washington — Indiana Territory Organized — Close of the War with France — Adams Defeated 
in the next Election. 

Ox the 4th of March, 1797, John Adams was inaugurated as Presi- 
dent, and after delivering his address, took the oath of office. He 
was a patriot of the most incorruptible principles, calm, able, labori- 
ous, but not always consistent or firm in pursuing a course which he 
had adopted. He formed a cabinet which was not in harmony with 
his own views or with itself. Pickering was Secretary of State, Wol- 
cott, of the Treasury ; the other members were McHenry and Lee. 

The first object that claimed the attention of the new President, 
was the relations of America with France. General Pinckney, Min- 
ister Plenipotentiary to France, had been virtually expelled from the 
country by the Directory, which then ruled in that republic. French 
ships still continued to plunder American vessels. 

On the 25th of March, President Adams, by proclamation, convened 
an extraordinary session of Congress. He recommended them to 
provide effectual measures of defense in case war became nec- 
essary. 

As a last effort for peace. General Pinckney, John Marshall, and 

Elbridge Gerry, were appointed envoys to France. They set out, 

but on reaching Paris, were met with insulting propositions from Tal- 

levrand, the French minister for Foreign Affairs. If the United States 

600 



WASHINGTON AGAIN COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. 6oi 

would pay Talleyrand a quarter of a million of dollars, and loan to 
France thirteen millions, they would be restored to favor. When 
they declined absolutely to consider any such proposal, Pinckneyand 
Marshall were ordered to leave France, while Gerry, a republican, 
was ordered to remain, under a threat of immediate war, if he retired. 
It was in this correspondence that Pinckney used a phrase which 
has become a motto for the country : " Millions for defense, not one 
cent for tribute." 

Congress met before news of this arrived In America, for ships did 
not cross the ocean rapidly in those days. When, however, the cor- 
respondence reached the President, he laid it before Congress, and it 
was at once published. It speedily roused the spirit of the whole 
people. The land rung with preparations for war. Hopkinson com- 
posed a patriotic song that has not yet been forgotten : " Hail Co- 
lumbia." 

Congress passed an act for retaliation, and by another increased 
the army, and authorized the President to raise additional regiments, 
and organized a provisional army. 

When Marshall arrived, and reported in full the treatment to which 
he had been subjected, Adams sent a message to Congress in which 
he said : " I will never send another minister to France, without as- 
surance that he will be received, respected, and honored, as the 
representative of a great, free, powerful, and independent nation." 

As soon as it was clear that a resort to arms would be necessary, 
all eyes turned upon Washington, as the only man to be placed at the 
head of the army. On the 3d of July, 1798, President Adams nom- 
inated him Commander-in-Chief of the armies of the United States, 
and the Senate confirmed his choice. The illustrious man accepted 



602 NAVAL CONTESTS WITH FRAN'CE. 

the high office, and again, relinquishing his domestic retirement, as- 
sumed the direction of the army. 

The Navy Department was now organized, and Benjamin Stod- 
dart, of Maryland, became first Secretary of the Navy. Thirty active 
cruisers were ordered, and the treaties with France declared to be no 
longer binding. Among other preparations for war, two acts were 
passed which drew great odium on Adams, these were the Alien and 
Sedition Acts. 

Althouofh war was not declared ag'ainst France, vessels were author- 
ized to resist French cruisers ; privateers were fitted out, and three 
frigates, the United States, commanded by Captain Barry, the Con- 
stitution, Captain Nicholson, and the Constellation, Captain Trux- 
tun, with a number of smaller vessels, sailed out to meet the French. 

The sudden appearance of so many American vessels astonished 
not only the French, but also the English, who could not conceal their 
chagrin to see the United States manifest such power on the ocean. 
They even let their ill-temper carry them to violence, as in the case 
of the attack of the British frigate Carnatic on a little American 
sloop-of-war, the Baltimore. 

In June, 1798, the French privateer Le Croyable was captured, 
and, under the name of the Retaliation, was sent to sea under Lieu- 
tenant Bainbridge, but only to be recaptured by a French frigate. 

On the 9th of February, 1799, the Constellation, Commodore Trux- 
tun, fell in with a large ship which showed the Stars and Stripes, but 
soon raised the tricolor. She was the Insurgente, Captain Barreault, 
one of the fastest ships known. She returned the Constellation's fire 
vigorously, injuring her masts and rigging, so that the fore-topmast 
was saved only by the gallantry of midshipman David Porter, who cut 



THE COUNTRY LONTi::UES TO GROW. 603 

away the yards. Thus relieved, the Constellation poured into her 
antagonist two or three raking broadsides, then shooting out of the 
smoke of the combat, she wore round, and getting^- across the Insur- 
gente's stern was about to rake her wlien she struck. The French 
vessel was much cut up, having lost seventy men killed and wounded. 
A few other collisions took place. Merchant vessels were captured 
on both sides, but France recoiled from her hostile attitude, asked 
indirectly for a renewal of intercourse, and a minister was sent. 

But while this was going on the country continued to grow. Con- 

I' gress organized the country between Georgia and Louisiana into a 

new territory, under the name of Mississippi. A strong effort was 

made to exclude slavery from the new territory, and Jefferson so 

planned it ; but this was finally defeated, and it became slave territory. 

I A Governor was appointed, and the territory organized. 

I In spite of the firm position which he had assumed in regard to 

\ France, President Adams suddenly resolved to renew negotiations, 

I and to the surprise of all, nominated William Vans Murray minister 

( to that country. This led to dissensions between him and his cabinet, 

. and to the breaking up of the Federal party ; while the Republican 

I party, under the leadership of Jefferson, was daily gaining strength. 

I At his suggestion, Kentucky and Virginia adopted resolutions de- 

nouncino" the Alien and Sedition laws as violations of the Constitution 

of the United States, and claiming the right in the States to nullify 

all such acts. It is somewhat strange that Andrew Jackson, then an 

opponent of the Federalists, was subsequently, as President, to put 

down with a hand of iron these nullification doctrines, when set up 

by his native State, South Carolina. 

The country now experienced a terrible loss in the death of George 



604 THE DEATH OF GEORGE WASHINGTON. 

Washington. That noble patriot, so much of whose life had been given 
to his country's service, but now deprived of the consolation attend- 
ant on public favor, had organized the army for any emergency. On 
Thursday, December 12th, he spent several hours riding around his 
estate, directing operations on various parts. The day was stormy, 
and on his return, he was seized by a violent cold, accompanied with 
sore throat. During the night he became rapidl}' worse, and inflam- 
mation, with fever, set in. He would not, however, allow a physician 
to be summoned till morning. When Doctor Craik arrived, he was 
alarmed at the symptoms, and at once called in consulting physicians. 
Various remedies were resorted to, but in vain ; Washinsfton's suffer- 
ings were acute, and it was evident that the illustrious patient was rap- 
idly sinking. From the first, Washington was convinced that it was 
his last sickness. Towards evening, on the 14th, he said to Doctor 
Craik : " I die hard. Doctor, but I am not afraid to die. My breath 
cannot last long." Thanking his physicians for their efforts to save 
him, he asked them to resign him to the hands of Providence. Nothing 
further was attempted. His agonized family and friends watched the 
moment of departure. He expired between ten and eleven o'clock 
at night, in the si.Kty-eighth year of his age, maintaining his faculties 
to the last. He was quietly interred on the Wednesday following. 

Thus passed away the father of his country, one of the few immor- 
tal names that were not born to die. There is no tarnish to the lustre 
of Washington's glory. He was a patriot, pure and disinterested, 
seeking only the good of his country, with no ambition except to serve 
it, no desire to enrich himself from the taxes drawn from his fellow- 
citizens. After holding the highest positions, military and civil, he 
went back to his quiet home, no richer than he left it. 



" FIRST IX WAR, FIRST IN PEACE," ETC. 605 

Congress was then in session at Philadelphia. The news of his 
death and of his illness arrived together, so that the sad tidings came 
unheralded. As soon as it became known, a motion was made in the 
House to adjourn. The next day, John Marshall announced that 
the information was but too true. After a brief but comprehensive 
view of Washington's career and services, he moved that a joint com- 
mittee should be appointed " to devise the most suitable manner of 
paying honor to the memory of the man, first in war, first in peace, 
first in the hearts of his countrymen." The Senate addressed a let- 
ter to the President, to which President Adams replied in a touching 
eulogy on the hero who had passed away. 

The joint committee appointed by the two Houses resolved that a 
marble monument should be erected in Washincrton, under which his 
body, if the family consented, was to be placed ; and that a funeral 
oration should be delivered in the Lutheran Church before both 
Houses; that the President should recommend the people of the 
whole country to wear crape on their arm for thirty days. 

On the 26th of December, Henry Lee pronounced the eulogy on 
Washington, before both Houses of Congress. Similar orations 
were delivered throughout the country, by Hamilton, Ames, Carroll, 
and other eminent men. The anniversary' of his birthday, February 
22d, arriving soon after, called forth fresh tributes to his memory. 

Amid this general grief and respect, a few political fanatics ven- 
tured to cast slurs upon his illustrious name, but they were frowned 
down by an indignant people. They have long since been consigned 
to merited oblivion, while Washington has constantly risen higher 
and higher in the esteem and respect of his countrymen. 

Washington was not one of those dazzlini; meteors which have as- 



6o6 WASHINGTON, D. C, MADE THE PERMANENT CAPITAL. 

tonished and terrified the world by a brilliant but destructive course. 
A warrior, he sought not conquest, but liberty ; a ruler, he had no aim 
but the happiness of the people ; in all, he had no wish but justice. 
Calm and unruffled in temper, prudent and steadfast in his resolu- 
tions, prompt and decisive in action, he was never elated by success, 
nor dejected by failure. Though oftener defeated than victorious in 
the field, he was never routed, and thus, ever formidable to his an- 
tagonists, never periling the cause by rashness, he brought the Revo- 
lutionary War to a triumphant close. As President of the Convention, 
he was one of the founders of the Constitution, showing great ability as 
a statesman. On the establishment of a new oovernment, he organized 
it amid difficulties.and opposition of various kinds. His full confi- 
dence in that form of government has been justified by its triumphant 
career of nearly a century ; but in our thankfulness for its blessings, 
and our prayers for its future maintenance in its purity and integrity, 
we should remember that Washincjton established it on a firm footingf 
only at the loss of his own popularity. 

The death of Washington quickened the movement for the per- 
manent establishment of the National Capital. The site of a Federal 
district had been selected by Washington. One of the acts of the 
Congress, on meeting in i 799, was to provide bylaw for the removal 
of the United States Government to the city of Washington, hence- 
forth to be the permanent capital of the United States. 

The new settlements had grown, so that new territorial governments 
were needed to prepare for the gradual admission of new States. The 
territory northwest of the Ohio was divided into two, and the west- 
ern part became Indiana Territory ; at the South, a government was 
established for Mississippi Territory. So rapid was the increase of set- 



WELL-FOUGHT NAVAL BATTLE AT NIGHT. 607 

tlements by emigrants, from the coast and abroad, that the sale of 
public lands became an important source of revenue. New laws 
were passed to enable industrious settlers to buy land and pay for it 
gradually. 

Although Mr. Adams had renewed negotiations with France, hostili- 
ties were still carried on at sea, chiefly in the West Indies, where France 
still held, though heaving with revolution, part of St. Domingo, and 
ruled in peace several of the smaller islands. In the waters surround- 
ing these islands, our navy otftcers sought to win glory by meeting the 
French navy, and profit by meeting her merchantmen. The new cen- 
tury opened with a naval victory. On the first day of February, iSoo, 
Captain Truxtun, in the Constellation, of thirty-eight guns, while cruis- 
ing off the island of Guadeloupe, discovered a vessel to the southeast, 
steering west. Taking her for a large English merchant vessel, Trux- 
tun hoisted English colors, but the other vessel did not regard it. 
Then Tru.xtun gave chase, crowding all sail. When near enough to 
distinguish her, Truxtun found her to be a French fri<;ate. He at once 
hauled down the Union Jack, and running up the Stars and Stripes, 
prepared for action. The Vengeance, his antagonist, was a French 
frieate of fiftv-two euns. As the Constellation, havintr overtaken 
her, was doubling the weather quarter of the Vengeance, the French 
opened fire from her stern and quarter guns. As soon as he could 
bear full on her, Truxtun gave her a broadside, and through the night, 
from half past eight till nearly one, the two vessels, running free side 
by side, sent broadsides into each other, till the Vengeance, with fifty 
men killed and a hundred and ten wounded, and the hull cut up by 
Truxtun's balls, drew out of the fight. The Constellation gave chase, 
sure now of capturing her, but just then, all the shrouds having been 



6oS PRESIDENT LOST ON HIS WAY TO WASHINGTON. 

cut by the Frenchman's fire, the Constellation's mainmast went by the 
board, carrying a gallant young midshipman, named Jarvis, and several 
men with it. This enabled the Vengeance to reach Cura^oa, though in 
asinking condition. Truxtun bore up for Jamaica. It was a well-fought 
battle. The French vessel was heavier, carried sixteen more guns, and 
nearly a hundred men more than the Constellation, yet she would in a 
few minutes more have been compelled to strike. Congress showed 
its appreciation of Truxtun's gallantry by striking a gold medal. 

Napoleon Bonaparte had now risen to the head of the government 
in France. With him a treaty was negotiated, but some of the 
articles displeased the Senate, who refused to confirm them. Mr. 
Adams ratified it finally, and nominated a Minister Plenipotentiary. 

In June, 1800, the public offices of government, with all its archives 
and officials, were removed from Philadelphia to Washington ; and 
somewhat later, Mr. Adams and his family took up their residence in 
the President's house. In these days of railroads and rapid traveling 
through our more densely settled States, it is amusing to look back to 
that time and read of the President Qettinsf lost in the woods with his 
family while on their journey from Baltimore to Washington. They 
wandered around for hours, till a straggling negro at last came loung- 
ing along that way, and guided the presidential party to the capital. 

The public buildings were by no means ready, the place was a 
wilderness, and it was for a long time a wretched place of resi- 
dence. 

The census, at the beginning of the century, showed a population of 
five million three hundred and six thousand, being an increase of nearly 
a million and a half in ten years, due in some measure to emigration 
from abroad ; France sent her exiled clergy and nobility ; Saint Do- 



burr's unsuccessful plot for the presidency. 609 

mingo, her planters flying from the infuriated negroes ; Ireland, her 
sturdy sons, whose rising for freedom had been crushed in blood. Mr. 
Adams' term of service was drawing to a close, and party spirit ran 
high. Mr. Adams looked to a re-election, but among his own party, 
the Federalists, he had made many enemies, and alienated many of his 
friends. Hamilton, one of the leaders of the Federal party, who had 
carried on a vigorous contest with Burr in New York, had become 
hostile to Mr. Adams, and Burr adroitly used this to injure both. The 
election was an exciting one, and when the votes of the electors came 
to be counted, Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr received each sev- 
enty-three votes, Adams sixty-five, and General Pinckney sixty-four. 
The votes given for Burr and Pinckney were really given them for the 
position of Vice-President, but as the Constitution then stood, each 
elector voted for two persons, and the one who received the highest 
number of votes became President, and the one who received the next 
hiehest became Vice-President. One of the electors should have voted 
for Jefferson without casting a vote for Burr. As it stood, there was 
no election. Jefferson had seventy-three votes, and so had Burr. By 
the Constitution, it had to go to the House of Representatives. There 
the members voted by States, and the candidate who received the vote 
of nine States would be President. Burr was a man full of plot and 
schemes. He had been put forward only as a candidate for the Vice- 
Presidency ; but as he saw a chance to become President, he used all 
his ability to secure his election in place of Jefferson. The Federals, 
defeated as they were, were ready to defeat Jefferson. For days they 
continued balloting without being able to effect an election. General 
anxiety prevailed, and fears were entertained that they might not be 
able to make a choice, but at last, on the 17th of February, iSoi, six 



6lO NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA GRADUALLY ABOLISH SLAVERY. 

representatives agreed to vote blank, and Jefferson received the vote 
of ten States, Burr of four, two not voting. 

The few remaining weel<;s of his administration were uneventful. 
Cons/ress reorsranized the United States Courts, and Mr. Adams, on 
the 3d of March, appointed judges under the new Act ; a step which 
called forth strong censure. 

Without waitinjf for the inauofuration of his successor, Mr. Adams, 
early on the morning of the 4th of March, bid adieu to the Capital 
and public life. 

During this sliort administration, the yellow fever, which had been 
very destructive in i 793, renewed its ravages. Steps were taken in 
New York and Pennsylvania for the gradual extinction of slavery. 
Albany became the capital of New York. 

The French Revolution, which abolished monarchy and aristocracy 
in France, had done away with much of the old style finery of dress. 
Its influence was felt in America. Short hair took the j^lace of the 
long powdered hair or wigs ; loose trowsers were worn instead of the 
tight knee-breeches ; dark or black cloth was adopted for men's wear 
instead of gayer colors. In all social concerns, there was less for- 
mality and display, and more simplicity was everywhere introduced. 



CHAPTER IV. 
THOMAS JEFFERSON, THIRD PRESIDENT— 1801-1809. 

War against Tripoli— Purchase of Louisiana— Lewis and Clarke's Expedition to Oregon — 
Troubles with Florida — Burr's Conspiracy— English Outrages — Attack on the Chesapeake — 
New States and Territories. 

Jefferson came into power as representing a new policy. All was 
at peace, except that the Barbary States continued to plunder Ameri- 
can ships, and carry off passengers and crews to be sold as slaves. 
Under previous administrations, the party now in power had urged 
the payment of money to redeem the captives rather than fit out a 
navy to punish them. But the French war had brought a navy into 
e.\istence, and there was now no talk of paying money to those pirates. 

One of Jefferson's first acts was to send out Commodore Dale, with 
a squadron, to the Mediterranean Sea, to chastise Tripoli, the last offen- 
der. Finding a Tripolitan frigate and brig near Gibraltar, he block- 
aded them so that they could not get to sea. Then the little Enter- 
prise, a twelve-gun schooner, under Lieutenant Sterrett, overtook a 
Tripolitan fourteen-gun ship, and in a running fight of three hours 
captured her, after killing or wounding fifty of the corsairs, without 
losineone of his own men. He then threw her cannon and ammuni- 
tion overboard, and sent her adrift with one old sail. When the pirate 
captain at last got back to Tripoli, he was paraded around on an ass. 

Ohio had now gained so much in population, that she solicited admis- 
sion as a State. Accordingly, Congress authorized the holding of a 

Convention, which in 1802 adopted a very liberal Constitution. Un- 

611 



6i2 Spain's secret treaty with france, 

der this it became a State on the ist of March, i8o^. Then the growth 
of settlements on the Mississippi, in the Territory of that name, gave 
promise of a new State. But suddenly news came that Spain had, by a 
secret treaty, on the ist of October, 1800, ceded back to France the 
colony of Louisiana, which she had held for nearly forty years. There 
was at once a change of system. The authorities at New Orleans re- 
fused to carry out the treaty of 1 783, so as to allow American vessels 
to land their cargoes at New Orleans. All the American settlements 
in the Mississippi valley were aroused, and many were in favor of rais- 
ing an army and taking possession of Louisiana by force. Congress 
acted more prudently, but the free navigation of the Mississippi was so 
essential to the West, that a law passed authorizing the President to 
call out an army of eighty thousand men, and two millions of dollars 
were put at his disposal to purchase, if possible, the island of Orleans, 
and the free navigation of the river. The navy was also increased ; 
and as anotherwar with France seemed possible, some who had been 
strongly in favor of that country, now looked to England for aid. 

Livingston, the American minister at the court of France, had in 
vain endeavored to baffle the negotiations, and prevent the cession of 
Louisiana to France. Failing in this, he opened a negotiation for the 
purchase of New Orleans, and the adjacent territory on the Missis- 
sippi. Bonaparte did not give the project a favorable consideration, 
till It was evident that France must again plunge into war. Then 
Bonaparte asked Livingston to make an offer for all Louisiana. The 
American minister's Instructions did not anticipate this, nor did those 
of Monroe, who arrived to succeed him. But there was no time to ask 
instructions. The American envovs offered ten millions of dollars ; 
the French government at first asked sixteen millions, but having 



LOUISIANA TRANSFERRED TO UNITED STATES. 613 

aijreed that four millions should go to pay American claims, the 
bargain was closed, and a treaty was signed on the last day of April, 
1803. The treaty secured to the inhabitants their liberty, property, 
and religious rights, and provided for their early admission as citi- 
zens, and the organization of part of the territory as a State. 

The treaty came as a surprise to the whole country, and was too 
satisfactory a solution of the difficulty to allow much dispute. The 
amount to be paid was trifling to a great and growing country, and 
it gave the United States not only complete and exclusive control 
of the Mississippi, from its source to the sea, but carried the Ameri- 
can boundary to the shores of the Pacific, for no limits west were 
fixed. 

When Congress met the treaty was confirmed, and money voted to 
carry it out ; so that on the 20th December, 1803, Lausat, as com- 
missioner for France, formally transferred New Orleans to the Amer- 
ican commissioners, Wilkinson and Claiborne. The latter was ap- 
pointed by Congress to govern the new province for the time being. 
This was not, however, intended to last. The next j'ear, Louisiana 
was divided into two parts ; the portion south of the thirty-third de- 
gree of latitude became the District of Orleans. This was to be 
under a governor and council appointed by the President. Courts 
were established, and preparations made for its admission as a State, 
as soon as the inhabitants had become sufficiently accustomed to our 
government. The northern part, called the District of Louisiana, 
was for the time made dependent on Indiana Territory. It was even 
supposed to be so remote, that it was proposed to remove all the 
Indians to it from the States east of the Mississippi river. Most of 
it was an almost unknown wilderness, but an expedition under Lewis 



6l4 WHITE SLAVERY IN TRIPOLI ENDED. 

and Clarke penetrated to the Rocky Mountains, and crossing that 
ridge, reached the head waters of the Columbia, to which they gave 
their names, and then descended the Columbia to the Pacific, carrj^- 
inof the United States flaor across the continent. 

The war with Tripoli was maintained, and in 1803, Commodore 
Preble sailed with a squadron of seven vessels. While chasing a Tri- 
politan ship, the Philadelphia, Captain Bainbridge, ran ashore and was 
captured with all on board. The Pacha got her off, but Preble re- 
solved to destroy her. Decatur, with a small vessel, ran in, captured 
her, and set her on fire. As all her guns were loaded ready for action, 
the vessel, as she lighted up the city with her blazing hull and masts, 
poured her deadly broadsides into Tripoli, till her magazine was 
reached, when, with a terrible explosion, she disappeared. Preble, with 
his inferior force, kept up a constant series of attacks on the place, 
and tried by torpedoes to destroy the Tripolitan gunboats. Youssouf, 
<ley of Tripoli, had expelled his brother Hamet, and usurped his 
throne. Hamet, having won the friendship of Eaton, the United States 
consul at Tunis, formed a plan to recover his throne. Eaton and 
Hamet, with seventy men from Preble's fleet, captured Derne by as- 
sault, and defeated Youssouf in two battles. This brought him to 
terms of peace, by which the American prisoners were given up, but 
Hamet was abandoned most unjustly. Tunis was then menaced, and 
thought it best to send an ambassador to the United States. An 
American squadron was kept in the Mediterranean, and for the first 
time, those piratical nations began to see that their trade was at an end. 

Another presidential election was now at hand. Jefferson was 
again chosen President, and George Clinton, of New York, Vice-Pres- 
ident, by a large majority. Aaron Burr, who was set aside, smarting 



AARON BURR TRIED FOR HIGH TREASON. 615 

under disappointed ambition, during the campaign challenged Alex- 
ander Hamilton, and killed him in a duel at Weehawken. 

Some troubles occurred on the Florida frontier, the Indians in that 
province, aided by Englishmen, committing ravages. Steps were 
taken to purchase that province from Spain. England showed her 
hostility also by continuing to impress American seamen. The Brit- 
ish naval commanders even carried their insolence so far as to at- 
tempt to take men by force from vessels belonging to the American 
navy. A new war seemed probable. In Europe, England and 
France were issuino- decrees in rerard to neutral vessels, which made 
it almost impossible for American ships to be at sea. This led Con- 
gress to pass, in 1806, an act to prohibit the importation of English 
manufactured goods. 

While the country was in this critical position with regard to Eng- 
land, Colonel Burr well nigh involved it in a war with Spain. Des- 
perate as a politician, he formed a plan, for separating the Western 
States and territories from the United States, and forming a new 
Republic, which was at once to wrest Mexico from Spain. He tried 
to win over General Wilkinson, who commanded the United States 
troops on the Mississippi, but Wilkinson not only posted his troops 
so as to check Burr's movements, but reported all he knew to the 
President. Burr did not even then give up all hopes of success, but 
beinof at last surrounded, he surrendered to the trovernor of Missis- 
sippi Territory. His trial was an event of great importance. It was 
a strange sight to see a man, who had so recently, as Vice-President, 
acted as President of the Senate, now brought to trial for hio-h trea- 
son. He was defended with great skill, and acquitted. 

The Berlin Decree of Napoleon, and tlie British orders in council 



6i6 



THE CHESAPEAKE OUTRAGE. 



were now In full operation, both condemning neutral ships to forfeit- 
ure. Mr, Pinckney negotiated a new treaty with England, in which 
that country yielded some points, but not the right of impressment. 
This was so unsatisfactory to Mr. Jefferson, that he resolved not to 
send the treaty to the Senate for confirmation. While attempts were 
on foot to renew negotiations, an event occurred which justified Jef- 
ferson. The Chesapeake; a thirty-eight-gun frigate, left the Chesa- 
peake for the Mediterranean ; just outside the Capes of Virginia, the 
Leopard, a British vessel of fifty guns, came up and demanded several 
men as deserters, and quietly prepared for action. On the refusal of 
Commodore Barron, she opened fire, pouring a broadside into the 
Chesapeake, and for a quarter of an hour kept up a steady fire ; the 
Chesapeake, unable to return her fire, at last struck, having had three 
men killed and eighteen wounded, and the vessel, masts, and riecrine 
greatly cut up. The men taken from her were tried, and one of them 
hunsf in cold blood. This outrao^e roused the indignation of the whole 
country. The President, by a proclamation, forbade all English 
armed vessels from entering any port of the United States, and pro- 
hibited under penalties all intercourse with them. The English 
government endeavored to allay the storm by recalling the Admiral, 
removing the Captain of the Leopard, and restoring the pretended 
deserters ; for in almost every case the claim was a falsehood got up 
for the occasion, and the men taken Americans. 

On the 22d of December, 1806, Congress laid an embargo, prohibit- 
ing all American vessels from sailing to foreign ports, and excluding 
all foreign vessels from taking out cargoes. This step caused great 
distress in the country, and roused a strong feeling of opposition, es- 
pecially in New England. England and France were not affected by 



STEAM REVOLUTIONIZES NAVIGATION. 617 

, SO that it did not produce the expected result, and it was finally 
^pealed in 1S09. 

Illinois Territory was organized about this time, embracing not only 
le present State, but also Wisconsin. Thus terminated Jefferson's 
residential career. He lonof continued to be reearded as the head 
f his party, and is still looked up to with reverence, as the most 
loroughly democratic expounder of national policy. As Washington 
ad declined to serve more than two terms, Mr. Jefferson did not 
ecome a candidate ; but prepared to retire to private life, having, 
om the opening of the Continental Congress, devoted himself almost 
ntirely to the cause of his country. As one of the greatest American 
:atesmen, his influence still remains. In the election which took place, 
lere was scarcely any opposition. James Madison, of Virginia, put 
)rward as candidate for the presidency, and George Clinton, of New 
ork, nominated for the vice-presidency, were elected almost unani- 
lously. 

Among the important events which marked the administration of 
sfferson, was the successful operation of a steamboat, by Robert Ful- 
)n, in 1807. Many, from the time of Fitch and Rumsey, had endeav- 
red to apply steam to navigation, but Fulton was the first who so far 
icceeded as to run a steamboat on the Hudson to Albanj'. 

His triumph revolutionized the whole navigation of the world. 



CHAPTER V. 

JAMES MADISON, FOURTH PRESIDENT— 1809-1817. 

Trouble in Pennsylvania— The President and Little Belt— Indian Troubles in the West— War 
with England— Hull's Surrender— Operations on the New York Frontiers— Oueenstown, La 
Colle— Victories at Sea— Proctor's Victories in the West— Repulsed at Fort Meigs— Toronto 
—The Niagara— Perry's Victory— Battle of the Thames— Tecumseh slain— The Creek War- 
General Jackson— Battle of the Chippewa— Invasion of Maryland— Capture of Washington- 
English Repulsed at Baltimore — Macomb and McDonough at Plattsburg— Jackson in Flor- 
ida — Battle of New Orleans — Peace Proclaimed — Final Battles at Sea. 

Mr. Madison selected for his cabinet, Robert Smith, of Maryland, 
Secretary of State ; Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury ; 
William Eustis, Secretary of War ; and Paul Hamilton, of South 
Carolina, Secretary of the Navy. 

The great question was the relation of America to England. Eng- 
land had never forgiven the Revolutionary War, and, as we have seen, 
had done many unfriendly acts. Still Mr. Madison, sustained by the 
voice of the country, was reluctant to resort to hostilities. Anxious 
to escape the embarrassment of the embargo and non-importation 
Acts, he began secret negotiations with David M. Erskine, then British 
minister at Washington. Erskine engaged himself to obtain a repeal 
of the orders in council, so far as they related to the United States. 
But the English Government disavowed Erskine's acts, and matters 
remained in the same uncertain position, non-intercourse being rigidly 

enforced. 

618 



POWER OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONFIRMED. 619 

France made some overtures, but soon fell back, and both powers 
continued to intercept American merchantmen. 

At home, some troubles arose in 1809. A case at law, arising out 
of the capture of a vessel during the Revolutionary War, involved 
the Government of the United States in a contest with the State of 
Pennsylvania. The Governor of the State ordered out the militia, 
and placed a guard under the command of Captain Bright, to pre- 
vent the United States marshal from serving any process of the 
United States court ; the marshal on his side called for two thousand 
men to aid him, and the Governor of Pennsylvania, finding matters 
serious, yielded, but this did not end the matter. Bright, and his 
militiamen were arrested, and tried for resisting the marshal, and 
after a long trial, convicted. The whole affair thus resulted in con- 
firming the powers of the General Government. 

In 181 1, the Territory of Orleans was at last made into a State, 
under the name of Louisiana, although not without great opposition 
on the part of the Federalists, who denied that Congress had any 
power to create States out of the newly-acquired territory, so jeal- 
ously did our ancestors watch every movement of the new govern- 
ment, for fear it might, in an unguarded moment, deprive them of 
the liberty they prized so highly. After this time what had been 
called the District of Louisiana was called Missouri. 

Application was also made to erect Mississippi into a State, but it 
was deferred, owing to the necessity of satisfying the State of 
Georgia, in regard to her claims over its territory. 

The neofotiations with France and Encfland had failed to obtain a 
repeal of the obno.xious decrees and orders in council. The American 
navy was too small to defend the immense number of American ships 



620 TECUMSEH AND HIS BROTHER, THE PROPHET. 

from all English cruisers, for even then American ships were found 
in every sea. A lesson was, however, taught them on the i6th of 
May, iSii. The frigate President, Commodore Rogers, was pursued 
for a time by the English sloop-of-war Little Belt, Captain Bingham. 
When the President hailed the Little Belt, she replied with a cannon- 
ball. The American vessel, zealous for the national honor, prepared 
for action. In a moment the vessels were engfaeed ; but after one or 
two broadsides, the Little Belt had all her guns silenced, and her decks 
strewed with the dead and wounded, no less than eleven men having 
been killed and twenty-one wounded in this brief action, which left 
the Little Belt little better than a wreck. The President then hailed 
again, and this time received an answer. In the morning Captain 
Roofers sent down to offer assistance, which the Little Belt declined, 
and sailed off as best she could. This affair e.xcited both countries, 
and each nation justified its own vessel. 

It was evident that war might break out at any moment. Great 
Britain had never ceased to tamper with the Western Indians, who 
saw, with hatred and alarm, the rapid increase of the States. There 
was at this time a Shawnee chief, famous alike for bravery in battle 
and eloquence in council. This was Tecumseh. With his brother, a 
noted medicine-man, commonly known as the Prophet, he went from 
tribe to tribe, urging the Indians to cast away the deadly firewater of 
the whites, and all European goods, and to set their faces sternly 
against Christianity and civilization, all alike being but devices for the 
destruction of the red race. The Wyandots, of Sandusky, a turbulent 
and powerful tribe, were the first to join him. Then Tecumseh pre- 
pared for actual war. His operations had not been unwatched. General 
William Henry Harrison, then governor of Indiana Territory, invited 



THE BATTLE AND VICTORY AT TIPPECANOE. 62 1 

Tecumseh to a conference at Vincennes. The chieftain came, but be- 
haved with so much haughtiness that General Harrison broke off the 
conference, and prepared to meet him in the field. In November, with 
a small force of regulars, Indiana and Kentucky militia, he advanced 
upon the Prophet's town, at the junction of the Tippecanoe and V.'a- 
bash. When he came within a few miles of the town, the princip;;! 
chief came out with proffers of peace. General Harrison was too cau- 
tious to be deceived, and prepared for action. When, at four the 
next morning (Nov. 7), the gloom of night was deepened by the fierce 
yells of the savages rushing furiously on his camp, Harrison was ready 
to receive them. He maintained order, and met the assault with steady 
courage. The bloody battle raged till the sun rose ; then the baffled 
savages withdrew utterly repulsed; the Americans lost sixty-two killed 
and about twice as many wounded. The loss of the Indians, who 
were more exposed, was much greater. The battle of Tippecanoe 
was one of the fiercest and hardest battles ever fought with the red 
men, and it gave Harrison great and deserved renown. Tecumseh was 
not present in the action, and the Prophet was on a hill going through 
his incantations, while the warriors were battling fiercely below. 
Harrison's loss had, however, weakened him, so that afterburning the 
Prophet's town, and establishing forts, he returned to Vincennes. 

The West roused by this Indian trouble, which they ascribed to Eng- 
lish influence, were eager for war. The South also desired it, but New 
England still advocated peace, exciting the contempt of the English, 
"who said that the United States could not be kicked into a war. On 
the 4th of April, 18 12, Congress laid another embargo on all vessels 
in American waters; and on the i8th of June, President Madison, 
by the authority of Congress, declared war against Great Britain. 



62 2 GENERAL HULLS RETREAT AND SURRENDER. 

Justified as the act was, it was rash, for the country was utterly un- 
prepared, and communication through the country was very slow. 
The President had authority to enlist twenty-five thousand men, to 
accept fifty thousand volunteers, and to call out a hundred thousand 
militia for the defense of the sea coast and the frontiers. Henry 
Dearborn, of New Hampshire, an officer of the Revolution, was ap- 
pointed commander-in-chief, with the rank of Major-General, with 
Wilkinson, Hampton, Hull, and Bloomfield, as brigadiers. 

General Hull was Governor of Michigan, and when war was declared, 
he was marching against the Indians. He was ordered to invade Can- 
ada, but before he was aware that war had been declared, the British 
knew it, and seized his military stores. Undeterred by this, he crossed 
the Detroit river, and advanced on Fort Maiden, but by delay he lost 
the opportunity of carrying the place. More active, the English took 
Mackinac, with the help of the Indians, who now rallied in force to the 
British standard, led by Tecumseh. Hull found himself cut off from 
supplies, and a detachment under Van Horn, sent out by him, was cut 
off near Raisin river, by Tecumseh. The Americar. general resolved 
to fall back to Detroit, and sent Colonel Miller to open a road for his 
convoy. General Proctorhad joined Tecumseh, and taken up a strong- 
post at Maguazo. Colonel Miller attacked them with great skill, and 
after an obstinate struggle, forced their position. But his victory was 
fruitless. Hull was completely encircled.- Meanwhile, General Brock, 
Governor of Upper Canada, reached Maiden with reinforcements. 
Hull then retreated to Detroit, followed by Brock, at the head of the 
whole British and Indian force, numbering thirteen hundred. He sum- 
moned Hull to surrender, threatening, as usual with English command- 
ers, to give the men up to every species of Indian cruelty if he refused. 



CAPTAIN hull's NAVAL VICTORY. 623 

Hull called in all his troops, and hung out a white flag. On the i6t.h 
of August, 181 2, he surrendered the fort, garrison, stores, and the 
Territory of Michigan. As the tidings of this terrible reverse spread, 
the country was filled with indignation. Hull was tried, and having 
been found guilty of cowardice, was sentenced to be shot, but was 
pardoned by the President. 

Though hostilities had begun, negotiations were still kept up, and an 
armistice was soon agreed to. England, however, still insisted on her 
right to stop American vessels, and impress all whom any English offi- 
cer might suspect to be British subjects. How terribly American 
shipping was injured by this wanton and cruel practice, may be seen by 
the fact that, as Lord Castlereagh, an English minister, admitted, there 
were no less than seventeen hundred bona fide American citizens, who 
had thus been kidnapped, and were now compelled to serve against 
their will in the British navy. The real number was three thousand, 
and twenty-five hundred refusing to fight against their own country, 
were confined with every ill-treatment in Dartmoor prison, England. 

The American vessels on the ocean were scattered. The Nauti- 
lus was soon taken by a British fleet, and the Constitution escaped 
capture only by the wonderful skill and seamanship of Captain Hull. 
The first naval action occurred off the Great Banks of Newfoundland. 
The British sloop-of-war Alert, of thirty-two guns, falling in, on the 
13th of August, with the Essex, Captain Porter, attacked her, thinking 
her to be a merchantman. But when the Essex had for eight min- 
utes showed her metal, the Alert struck. 

On the afternoon of the 19th of the same month, the Constitution, 
Captain H ull, discovered the English frigate Guerriere, and gave chase. 
Her Captain, Dacres, had boasted of his desire to meet an American 



624 REPEATED NAVAL VICTORIES. 

man-of-war. As the Constitution bore down, the Guerriere opened 
fire, but the Constitution came on grim and silent, till Hull got into the 
position he wished ; then he opened. By the light of the moon the 
battle went on. Broadside after broadside poured in upon the Guer- 
riere, as fast as mortal men could send them. In half an hour's time, 
the Guerriere was little better than a wreck, and Captain Dacres, hav- 
ing lost more than a hundred in killed and wounded, surrendered to 
Hull, who had lost only fourteen killed and wounded. The Guerriere 
could not be taken into port, she was set on fire and blown up. All 
America rung with exultation over this victory. Congress voted Cap- 
tain Hull their thanks, and gave him and his gallant crew $50,000 as 
prize money. In England, the news caused the utmost mortification. 
That a British frigate had been taken in a fair fight, was the terrible fact 
which they could not deny. America at once took her place in naval 
history, as one to compete with England for supremacy. Other victo- 
ries followed. The British sloop-of-war Frolic, of eighteen guns, fell in 
with the United States sloop-of-war Wasp, of the same number of guns. 
After a fierce and bloody fight. Captain Jones boarded the Frolic, to 
find her deck covered with the dead and wounded. He lowered the 
English flag himself, but such are the chances of war, before he could 
get his own ship and his prize into order after the action, the Poictiers, 
a British seventy-four, bore down and captured them. Then Captain 
Decatur, in the United States, forty-four guns, met the Macedonian, 
carrying forty-nine. The action began, the vessels passing each other 
for an hour, keeping up their fire ; the American firing like a sharp- 
shooter, true to aim. Just as the Macedonian supposed the United 
States had given up, she took up a raking position across the stern of the 
Macedonian. Then the British frigate struck her colors, having re- 



REAL WORK OF THE WAR BEGUN. 625 

ceived a hundred balls in her hull, and had a hundred and four of her 
crew killed and wounded, though, on the United States, there were 
only twelve. Before the close of the year, the Constitution, now 
under Commodore Bainbridge, engaged the Java, of thirty-eight guns, 
and by his true and rapid fire absolutely cut her up so that when she 
attempted to run down and board the Constitution, her foremast fell, 
her maintopmast came down, and her bowsprit was sent flying by the 
American guns. Spar after spar was cut away ; her Captain killed, 
but her Lieutenant kept up the fight manfully for a time, then struck. 
Bainbridge had to blow her up, there was nothing left to take to port. 

On land, the Government, by the utmost exertions, had collected 
troops on the frontier at.various points. General Dearborn stationed 
on Lake Champlain an army of three thousand regulars, and two 
thousand militia ; two thousand militia were posted at Sackett's Har- 
bor, and six thousand more, under General Van Rensselaer, were at 
Buffalo. The New York frontier was thus protected from invasion. 
Besides this, Commodore Chaunceyhad been sent to Lake Ontario, 
to fit out a flotilla, and check the operations of the British fleet in 
those waters. He was soon in force on the Lake, and drove the 
British fleet into Kingston. He then endeavored to make his little 
squadron a fleet ready for any emergency. Commodore Elliot was 
equally busy on Lake Erie. 

It was evident that the real work of the war must soon come off. 
The English opened the campaign by attacking Ogdensburg, New 
York, in October, i8i2,but after a short and decisive action, they 
were repulsed by General Brown and his militia, and fell back. 

On the 13th of October, General Van Rensselaer attempted to 
cross the Niagara. His first detachment of two hundred and twenty- 



626 BUTCHERED BY SAVAGES IN ENGLISH PAY. 

five men, under Colonel Van Rensselaer, crossed to attack the British 
posted at Queenstown. After much loss from a shower of musketry 
and grape, they effected a landing, and, led up the rocks by Captains 
Wool and Ogilvie, after the Colonel had fallen, they drove the English 
behind a stone house, and silenced all their batteries. Then the roll of 
the drum was heard, and General Brock came up with the Forty-ninth 
British regiment, and forced the little American detachment to the very 
verge of the precipice. One officer actually hoisted the white flag, but 
Wool tore it away, and by a desperate charge drove the British back, 
and when their general. Van Rensselaer, was in vain endeavoring to 
send over fresh troops, the militia declined to leave the State, and only 
a thousand, under General Wadsworth, crossed. At three o'clock in 
the afternoon the enemy rallied, and, aided by several hundred In- 
dians, attacked the American lines. With severe loss, the little force, 
under Lieutenant-Colonel Scott, repulsed them. But the English 
were constantly bringing up fresh troops. An hour later, reinforced 
by eight hundred men under General Sheaffe, they again advanced. 
General Wadsworth, with men exhausted by a day's constant fighting, 
without food, and no hope of reinforcement or relief, had no alterna- 
tive. He made a eallant fight for a time, but as he could not retreat 
for want of boats, he at last surrendered, many, after laying down 
their arms, to be butchered by the savages whom England was not 
ashamed to array against civilized men. This gallant but unfortu- 
nate day cost America eleven hundred in killed, wounded, or taken ; 
while the English loss was comparatively small. 

Disgusted at this reverse, and the miserable inefficiency and incapac- 
ity manifested in all departments, Van Rensselaer resigned, and was 
succeeded by General Smythe, of Virginia. 



CAMPAIGN OF l8l2 CLOSED. 627 

The conduct of the Administration was far from creditable. The 
War Department planned no campaign, and raised no army. It in- 
vested the generals in command of the several divisions with discre- 
tionary powers, and left everything to ihem, and the miHtia were 
called out without any object, or any orders to guide them. The 
whole year was spent in fruitless marches and countermarches, or in 
unimportant skirmishes. 

In October, Dearborn occupied the Indian tov/n of St. Regis, 
which lies partly in New York and partly in Canada, but advancing, 
he was defeated in a movement against La Colle, and a month later, 
lost a detachment in an action at Salmon river. 

At Niagara, General Smythe issued a pompous address, and finally 
sent a detachment under General Winder across the river. One de- 
tachment under King gallantly carried a British battery, but being 
unsupported, at last retreated, leaving apart to surrender to the Eng- 
lish. In the West, Zachary Taylor, at Fort Harrison, on the Wabash, 
found himself and his little garrison of fifty invested, in September, 
by several hundred Indians, who attacked with great fury. Steadi- 
ness and intrepidity disconcerted the savage foe, who drew off after 
heavy loss. 

Some expeditions took the field against the Indians, but bej'ond 
destroying some of their towns near Peoria, no good Avas effected. 

This virtually closed the campaign of 1812. Amid the excitement 
of war, a presidential election had taken place. Mr. Madison was 
again put forward as President, with Elbridge Gerry as Vice-Presi- 
dent. The candidates of the opposition, with whom the Federalists 
operated, were De Witt Clinton, of New York, and Jared Ingersoll. 
Madison was re-elected by a large majority. 



628 GENERAL WINCHESTER'S SURRENDER. 

CAMPAIGN OF 1813. 

The operations in the following year began in the West. The 
army of the West, under General Harrison, was near the head of 
Lake Erie, acquiring the discipline and skill necessary for action. 
The great object was to recover Michigan, and wipe out the disgrace 
of Hull's surrender. Kentucky, Ohio and other States, sent their 
brave, though inexperienced soldiers. On the loth of January, Gen- 
eral Winchester, with eight hundred men, reached the Maumee 
Rapids. Hearing that a British and Indian p.rty had taken post on 
the river Raisin, twenty-five miles south of Detroit, he sent forward 
a detachment which dislodged the enemy, and held the place till he 
came up. 

The English general in that department was the active Proctor, 
actinof under Sir George Prevost, now commander of the British forces 
in Canada. Proctor, hearing, at Maiden, of Winchester's success, and 
of his unguarded camp, gathered a force of fifteen hundred whites and 
Indians, and crossing on the ice, suddenly attacked the American camp 
at sunrise, on rhe morning of the 22d. Though previously warned, 
Winchester took no precautions. Proctor approached by night, in the 
most profound silence, and at daybreak opened from artillery that he 
had planted on Winchester's right, then charged with his regulars, 
Indians at the same time assailingr both American flanks. Though 
taken so unawares, Winchester fought bravely, but with severe loss, till 
falling a prisoner into the hands of the Indians, he agreed to surrender 
his whole force, on Proctor's promise that they should be protected 
from the Indians; but the English commander, fearful of Harrison's ap- 
proach, marched back to Maiden, leaving the sick and wounded Amer- 



f 



THE SIEGE OF FORT MEIGS ABANDONED. 629 

icans without a guard. His Indians at once returned, and falling 
upon the Americans, slaughtered and scalped many, hurrying others 
off to Detroit, to be held for ransom, or into the woods, to be the 
sport of their savage cruelty. 

Harrison, marching up to join Winchester, heard of this disaster, 
and falling back, erected Fort Meigs, and resolved to hold that posi- 
tion at all hazards, despairing of being able to assume the offensive, 
as the terms of many of the men were just out. 

Madison, now re-elected for another term, reorganized his cabinet, 
and endeavored to infuse more energy into the War Department. 
It was not to be merely a war with Canada, and on the sea. Eng- 
lish fleets blockaded New York, Delaware and Chesapeake Bays, 
and ravaged the whole coast. 

Harrison had foreseen an English attack on Fort Meigs. It came 
on the 28th of April. On that day, Proctor invested it with two 
thousand English and Indians, throwing up batteries on both sides of 
the river. On the fifth day of the siege, the beleaguered force were 
cheered by the approach of General Greene Clay of Kentucky, with 
twelve hundred men, whose impetuous charge scattered the English, 
leaving a battery in their hands as a trophy. But Clay's inexperi- 
enced soldiers forgot to spike the guns, and while scattered in pursuit 
of the Hying foe, were suddenly surrounded and captured by the rest 
of Proctor's force. That general then attempted to resume the siege, 
but his Indians, content, as usual, with one battle, wished to return 
home, and soon withdrew in such numbers that Proctor abandoned 
the siege and returned to Maiden. 

The army in New York also took the field to invade Canada. 
Early in May, Dearborn resolved to attempt the capture of York, now 



630 AN AMERICAN SCALP IN THE PARLIAMENT HOUSE. 

Toronto, Canada, the principal depot of supplies for the British posts 
in the West. Commodore Chauncey took the troops ou board at 
Sackett's Harbor, and on the 27th of April, they landed on the beach 
at York, under a heavy fire from British and Indians, under Colonel 
Sheaffe. Led by the brave General Pike, the Americans drove the 
Enorlish before them. After destrovino- one of the enemy's batteries, 
they were pressing on the main works, when a terrific explosion took 
place. A magazine blew up, hurling- fragments of stone and wood 
in all directions. Numbers were killed on both sides, and General 
Pike was mortally wounded. In the confusion, Sheaffe escaped 
towards Kingston. The Americans captured York, with all the 
stores laid up there by the British, and found a fresh American 
scalp suspended over the speaker's chair in the Parliament House. 
Commodore Chauncey burned the Parliament House, and des- 
troyed much war material that could not be removed, and some 
vessels on the stocks. The victorious forces then returned to 
Sackett's Harbor, with a large quantity of captured ammunition and 
stores. 

Having obtained reinforcements, Chauncey sailed to the Niagara 
river, to invest Fort George. On the 27th of May, the advance, un- 
der Colonel Scott and Major Forsythe, landed, followed by Boyd, 
Winder, and Chandler's brigades. The enemy abandoned their works 
without waiting to fire a shot, but treacherously laid trains to blow up 
the magazine. Fortunately, the Americans entered in time to extin- 
guish the match before it reached the powder. General Vincent, the 
English commander, deemin or Fort Georoe untenable, retreated to Bur- 
lington heights, pursued by the Americans. Instead of advancing in 
person with all his force. General Dearborn sent on General Winder, 



A RATHER CURIOUS BATTLE. 63 1 

with one brigade, and soon after detached General Chandler to sup- 
port him. The latter, taking command, resolved to attack the enemy 
in the morning, and encamped without sufficient precautions on the 
banks of Stony Creek. 

Vincent saw his opportunity, and, as soon as it was dark, made a 
sudden attack on the American camp. The sentinels were bayoneted, 
the guards passed, but the British Indians gave a yell that roused the 
Americans, who were sleeping on their arms. A strange irregular 
fight took place, in which Generals Chandler and Winder, getting by 
mistake among British soldiers, were carried off by them as prisoners 
in their precipitate retreat, their general, Vincent, being lost in the 
darkness, and found next day at a distance without sword or hat. 

In this rather curious battle, about a hundred men were lost on 
each side. 

As soon as it became known in Canada that Chauncey had sailed 
from Sackett's Harbor, General Sir George Prevost sailed from King- 
ston, to attack that centre of American operations. His force con- 
sisted of seven hundred men. A body of militia under Colonel Mills, 
were stationed on the shore to dispute the landing of the enemy ; but 
they fled in spite of their commander, who was killed while trying to 
rally them. Some block-houses held by Colonel Backus, and a small 
body of regulars, held Prevost in check, and poured in deadly volleys 
on his exposed men, so that when General Brown, who had gathered 
a few of the militia, attacked Prevost in the rear, the British general 
retreated in all haste to his ships, with no consolation except that of 
seeing the American store-houses in flames, an over-zealous officer 
having set them on fire on a false report of Brown's total defeat. 

The English had not given up their operations in the West. On 



632 INDIAN ZEAL FOR THE ENGLISH DAMPENED. 

the 2 1 St of July, Proctor, aided by Tecumseh, appeared before Fort 
Meigs, at the head of a force of British and Indians amounting to 
four thousand. General Clay was in command, and he made so 
vigorous a defense, that Proctor, leaving his Indian ally to watch 
the fort, attempted, with thirteen hundred British and Indians, to 
carry Fort Stephenson, at Lower Sandusky, a slight work held by 
only a hundred and fifty men, under the command of Major Croghan. 
Proctor demanded an instant surrender, threatening, in case of re- 
fusal, to give the garrison up to all the savage barbarities of his 
Indians. Croghan rejected the summons w-ith scorn. Prevost 
opened with his heavy guns, and having made a breach, attempted 
to take the fort by assault, but Croghan planted his only cannon to 
sweep the gap, and the English column was met by such a shower 
of grape, and volley of rifles, that they fled panic-stricken, leaving a 
hundred and fifty dead or wounded. This gallant defense made 
young Croghan illustrious — he was but twenty-one — and damped 
the zeal of the Indians in the English interest. 

Lake Erie was now to be the scene of naval operations. Commo- 
dore Perry had been sent to fit out an American squadron on that lake. 
During the summer of 1813, he launched on those inland waters a 
squadron of nine vessels, mounting fifty-four guns, to hold in check the 
British naval force, and co-operate with the American army in an)- op- 
erations near the shores of the lake. On the 4th of August, 1S13, he 
sailed out to seek the British fleet, under Commodore Barclay, con- 
sisting of six vessels, but carrying more guns than Perry's flotilla. 
Not finding Barclay, Perry retired to Put-in-Bay. To his joy, Barclay 
at last appeared. Perry stood out to meet him, and obtained the 
weather gage, the advantage of the wind in his favor. Then hoisting 



" MET THE ENEMY THEY ARE OURS." 633 

his flag with Lawrence's dying words for a motto, " Don't give up the 
ship," he bore down on the enemy. The Lawrence, Perry's flag-ship, 
was attacked by two of the enemy, and so cut up that she was a mere 
wreck. Then Perry, leaving her in an open boat, through a hot fire 
from every part of the enemy's line, carried his flag to the Niagara. 
The battle went on furiously, the small American vessels coming up 
at last. Perry managed with singular skill, and kept up such a con- 
tinued and deadly fire, that at four o'clock every one of the British 
flags struck, without their having been able to take possession of the 
Lawrence, which actually lay at their mercy. Then Perry sent to 
General Harrison the famous dispatch beginning with the words, 
" We have met the enemy, and they are ours." 

The influence of this victory, the Battle of Lake Erie, was tremen- 
dous. The capture of a whole British flotilla, after a severe action, 
was in itself a triumph that raised the American fame throughout the 
world. Its effect on the military operations was decisive. It gave 
the Americans complete control of Lake Erie. It cut off Prevost 
from Canada, and he accordingly retreated in all haste, crossed over 
the Detroit, dismantled Maiden, and endeavored to reach a strong- 
position, where reinforcements could reach him. General Harrison, 
aided by Perry's fleet, was in hot pursuit. Detroit was recovered after 
having been in the enemy's hands from the outset of the war. On the 
4th of October, General Harrison came up with the British rear, near 
the Moravian town, on the Thames, eighty miles from Detroit. Pre- 
vost found that he must fight. He drew up his force of British and 
Indians, across a narrow strip of land, between a swamp and the river. 
The next day the battle began. Proctor poured in a volley on 
Harrison's advance, but Johnson's mounted rifles swept through the 



634 TECUMSEH's death EVIL INFLUENCE IN THE SOUTH. 

British line like a tornado, routing it so completely that no attempt 
was ever made to rally, and Proctor himself fled with a few followers, 
to be seen no more on the field. Tecumseh, with his Indians, made 
a better stand. Posted in a marshy spot, they were not so easily 
routed. Johnson dismounted his men, and broke through to their 
rear ; even then they would not yield, but hurled themselves on the 
infantry, till checked by old General Shelby. Amid the din of battle 
rose the voice of Tecumseh, encouraging his braves, till he fell, 
surrounded by the flower of his warriors. 

This battle of the Thames, the glory of Harrison and Colonel 
Richard M. Johnson, by whose hand Tecumseh is supposed to have 
fallen, completely broke the power of the English in the West. Michi- 
gan was recovered, the Indians completely crushed, and Upper Canada 
menaced from the South and West. All that Hull had lost was now 
regained, and even the cannon he surrendered, trophies of Saratoga 
and Yorktown, were again restored to American custody. 

But if the Indian enemy at the North was checked, the influence 
of Tecumseh and the Prophet had worked mischief at the South. That 
chief had, in 1S12, visited the Creeks, Cherokees,and Choctaws. The 
voune Creek braves rallied to his call. The settlements in Tennessee, 
Georgia, and Mississippi, were ravaged by the savage foe, who 
obtained arms and ammunition from the British. Emboldened by 
success, they ne.xt attacked Fort Mimms, in August, 1S13, taking it by 
surprise, and putting the garrison to death, only seventeen out of three 
hundred and fifty escaping. The threatened States then put forces in 
the field ; Tennessee in the van, with her brave sons, under General 
Jackson. The Choctaws joined the Americans, and did good service. 
On the 2d of November, General Coffee advanced on the Creek town. 



INHUMAN ENGLISH POLICY FAILED. 635 

Tallushatchee. They did not wait to be attacked, but went out to 
meet him with such fury, that they were with difficulty repulsed. 
Even then they kept up the battle, refusing quarter till they were al- 
most all killed. A few days after, Jackson, protecting the friendly 
Creeks of Talladega, fought another desperate battle. At the close 
of November, General Floyd, of Georgia, obtained another signal 
victory at Autossee, the Creek metropolis, on the Tallapoosa. The 
Indians were utterly .defeated, the King and two hundred of his 
braves slain, and the town given to the flames. 

Thus far, the inhuman English policy of arming savages against 
the American frontiers, so as to weaken and divide the national 
forces, had utterly failed. It brought destruction only on those who 
had been lured on by the English envoys. 

Meanwhile the American commander-in-chief. General Dearborn, 
lay inactive in Canada. But the English were not disposed to allow 
an invader to hold a position on their soil undisturbed. Colonel 
Bishop, with a small force, determined to operate in the American rear, 
and cut off Dearborn's supplies. He encircled his camp, occupied 
Fort Erie, and crossing over to Black Rock, on the American side, 
on the I ith of June, dispersed the militia, and destroyed all the can- 
non and provisions stored there. A body of regulars, militia, and In- 
dians, however, hurried up from Buffalo, and a second engagement 
took place, in which Colonel Bishop was killed, and his troops com- 
pelled to retreat. 

Other minor operations were carried on by both sides, but Dear- 
born was not relieved. To open communications, he sent Colonel 
Boerstler, to attack a British force at Beaver Dams, collect provisions, 
and encourage friendly Canadians. That officer, attacked in the 



636 COLONEL SCOTT MAKES A BOLD DASH. 

woods by a few regulars under Lieutenant Fitzgibbon, and some In- 
dians, Boerstler supposed that he was surrounded by a British army, 
and surrendered with his whole force. 

Colonel Winfield Scott, convoyed by Chauncey, made another dash 
at York, in July, destroyed more British stores, and rescued some 
American prisoners. 

General Dearborn, inefficient from age, was recalled in June, and 
General Wilkinson appointed to command the army of the centre. 

A new and more vigorous plan of action was projected by General 
Armstrong, Secretary of War. It was resolved to capture Montreal. 
Early in November, seven thousand men under Wilkinson moved 
down the St. Lawrence in boats from French Mills. The British 
were on the alert, and annoyed him so much from the shore, and from 
gunboats in his rear, that he was compelled to land and come to ac- 
tion. The battle of Chrysler's Field was severely contested — the 
Americans losing General Covington and three hundred men — but 
enabled him to advance to St. Regis. There he learned that the 
army under Hampton, which was to co-operate with him, had fallen 
back ; it had been checked in its advance by a small Canadian force 
under Salaberry, at Chateaugay, on the 21st of October. Wilkin- 
son, finding Hampton indisposed to co-operate with him, retired to 
winter quarters, nothing at all having been effected. 

General Harrison, dissatisfied with the state of affairs on the New 
York frontier, returned to the West, leaving the command on the Ni- 
agara frontier to General McClure. The American forces there were 
chiefly militia, and when the time of service for which they had been 
called out expired, they left, refusing to stay even for the large bounty 
offered. Unable to hold his ground in Canada, General McChire de- 



THE "HENROOST ADMIRAL" PLUNDERS THE COUNTRY. 6^7 

stroyed Fort George, and returned to New York State, having first 
wantonly set fire to the town of Newark. Provoked at this, Prevost, 
the English commander, crossed the river, took Fort Niagara, put the 
garrison to the sword, and burned every village up to Niao-ara Falls, 
while another detachment of his army gave Black Rock and Buffalo 
to the flames, and destroyed a part of Perry's fleet. Prevost then in 
a proclamation, justified his conduct, but offered to conduct the war 
on more humane principles, if the Americans would pursue a similar 
course. And for all the pillaging and incendiary expeditions of the 
English against the American towns and cities, England always gave 
this same excuse. 

Thus ended the campaign of 1S13 on land. 

On the ocean there were many engagements, some of them severe 
naval battles between the cruisers of the rival powers. But the chief 
service of the British fleet was the blockade of American ports ; and 
on the Southern coast, where Admiral Cockburn, known as the Hen- 
roost Admiral, commanded, they plundered the country in a most 
unheard-of fashion. 

The American shipping in the Delaware River was destroyed by 
this buccaneering admiral, in March, 1S13, and the next month he 
cannonaded the town of Lewiston. Entering the Chesapeake, he 
plundered and burned Frenchtown, Havre de Grace, Georgetown, 
and Frederictown. While attempting to reach Norfolk, his fleet was 
repulsed by the Americans upon Craney Island, under the command 
of Major Faulkner. 

Few of die American frigates could get to sea. One of these, the 
Hornet, Captain Lawrence, in February, discovered the Peacock, an 
English brig-of-war, at anchor near Demerara. Although of superior 



63S " don't give up the SHir." 

force Lawrence cleared for action, and ordered his men to quarters. 
Tlie two vessels exchanged broadsides, but Lawrence soon ran him 
close on board on the starboard quarter, and kept up such a telling 
fire, that in fifteen minutes the British commander struck, hoisting a 
signal of distress, for she was actually cut to pieces : her mainmast 
went by the board as she struck, and before all her crew could be got 
off she went down, carrying three of the Hornet's men with her. 

The success of the American navy in the previous engagements had 
elated them greatly, and led to rashness. The Shannon, a British ves- 
sel, had been cruising for some time off Boston Harbor, defying 
any American ve"ssel in port to come out and meet her. Captain 
Lawrence, just appointed to the Chesapeake, stung at this challenge, 
resolved to accept it. The equipment of his vessel was not complete, 
he had not his full complement of officers, his crew had just been 
shipped, and had received little drilling, but he resolved to meet the 
Shannon, and sailed out, June ist, 1S13. The Shannon opened, doing 
fearful execution, but the Chesapeake answered with terrible broad- 
sides. At last, however, she got locked to the Shannon by one of her 
anchors, so that she was exposed to a raking fire. Captain Lawrence 
was mortally wounded just as he was about to board. There were 
no otT.CJl'^ I'jft to lead on the men, and in the confusion, Captain Brooke 
boarded the Chesapeake, which struck, in spite of Captain Lawrence's 
dying words : " Don't give up the ship." This sea-fight is one of 
the bloodiest on record. It lasted only fifteen minutes, yet in that 
brief space, a hundred and forty-six were killed and wounded on the 
Chesapeake, and eighty-three on the Shannon. 



CREEK INDIANS ROUTED, 639 

CAMPAIGN OF 1814. 

The first operations on land, in 1814, were in the Creek Territory. 
The movements in the previous year had been in a manner independ- 
ent and without concert, two from Tennessee, one from Georgia, and 
one from Mississippi. The war had not, therefore, been brought to 
a decisive point. 

As these columns after gaining victory retired, the Creeks rallied, 
and very soon began to assume the offensive. They resolved to at- 
tack Floyd and the Georgia troops, and took the field against them ; 
but the resolute Jackson was again approaching Emuckfau, where 
they were posted. The Creeks at once changed their plans, and on 
the 2 1st of January, at dawn, attacked Jackson on his left flank. A 
warm action ensued, but in half an hour the Creeks were repulsed and 
driven back two miles. There they took up a position too strong to 
be rashly assailed. Finding that Jackson would not attack, they 
again advanced upon him, but General Coffee turned their left flank, 
and by a splendid piece of strategy cut off a large body of them. 
Their main attack on Jackson's line was stubborn and jDersistent ; but 
a general charge again routed them. Jackson's army was, however, 
so weakened that he fell back to Fort Strother, keeping up a running 
fight almost all the way. 

No sooner were the Creeks relieved from fear of further movements 
on Jackson's part than they turned their whole force on Ployd, at- 
tacking him on the 27th with great spirit. After heavy loss on both 
sides they were routed. 

Jackson was soon ready to make a decisive campaign. The Creeks 
had intrenched themselves for their last stand at the Great Bend cf 



640 THE INDIAN CHIEF SUES FOR PEACE. 

the Tallapoosa. Their position was defended by a breastwork thrown 
up with great care and judgment. 

On the 27th of March, Jackson, with about three thousand men, 
drew up in view of the enemy for a final struggle. Having dispatched 
General Coffee to encircle the Bend on the river-side with his mounted 
men and friendlv Indians, he moved to the charge of the breastwork. 
The regulars, led by Major Montgomery, scaled the rampart, and 
though he fell, they poured over the intrenchment and drove the In- 
dians to the shelter of the bushes. Routed from this, they fled to 
the river, to be met by Coffee's withering fire. But they would not 
yield, and even fired on a flasf sent to offer them terms of surrender. 
Then Jackson fired the brushwood, and amid the glare and blaze 
most of them perished, few escaping the trap into which they had 
thrown themselves. 

This victory gave a death-blow to the power and hopes of the 
Creeks. They had fought bravely; four hundred and fifty-seven 
warriors lay dead on the ground — only four were taken. 

After recruiting his army, Jackson, effecting a junction with the 
Georgia troops, moved upon the Hickory Ground, where the rem- 
nant of the warriors had gathered. But their spirit was broken. As 
the army approached a deputation of chiefs came out to treat of 
peace. Weathersford, the most cruel and relentless, who commanded 
in the massacre at Fort Mimms, addressed Jackson with the greatest 
eloquence : 

" I am in your power," said the chief ; " do with me as you please. 
I am a soldier. I have done the white people all the harm I could. 
I have fought them, and fought them bravely. There was a time when 
I had a choice and could have answered you ; I have none now — even 



PEACE WAS MADE THE CHIEF SPARED. 64 1 

hope is ended. Once I could animate my warriors ; but I cannot ani- 
mate the dead. My warriors can no longer hear my voice ; their 
bones are at Talladega, Tallushatchee, Emuckfau, and Tohopeka. 
Whilst there was a chance of success I never left my post, nor suppli- 
cated peace. But my people are gone ; and I now ask it for my na- 
tion and myself." 

Jackson had determined not to spare this man ; but his noble atti- 
tude disarmed his resentment. Peace w^as made ; the Creeks retired 
beyond the Coosa, and a line of posts secured their fidelity. 

The Indian allies whom Enoland had roused against American 
homes at the North and South were crushed. The war was to be car- 
ried on by civilized men. England now made overtures of peace, led 
less by any effect of the American operations than by the state of af- 
fairs in Europe. Madison sent out commissioners to negotiate, but 
before a treaty was signed Napoleon was overthrown and sent to 
Elba. England, thus relieved of her great enemy in Europe, aban- 
doned all ideas of peace with the United States. Instead of appoint- 
ing commissioners to meet those sent by the American Government, 
she sent over large bodies of her veteran troops, who were not imme- 
diately needed in Europe. The American navy was scattered or 
broken up, or shut in the harbors by the British fleets, which block- 
aded the whole coast. Everything served to announce that the real 
fighting of the war was about to commence. 

Although a large party in the United States opposed the war, and 
crippled the power of the Government, preparations were made for the 
great struggle. The army on the Niagara frontier was reorganized 
and placed under the command of Major-General Brown, under whom 
Scott and Ripley served as brigadiers. The earlier months of the 



642 BRITISH GENERAL RIALL CAPTURED. 

year had not been marked by any important action. Wilkinson was 
repulsed in an action with the enemy at La Colle, on the 30th of 
March, and in consequence lost his command. 

On the 5th of May, a British force of three thousand men landed 
from a squadron before Oswego, which had none to defend it but 
Colonel Mitchell, with three hundred men. The object of the expedi- 
tion was to destroy the naval and military stores deposited at Oswego 
Falls ; but Mitchell held them at bay for two days, and so discouraged 
them that they were afraid to push inland. They finally withdrew 
on the 7th, having lost two hundred and thirty-five men. 

When General Brown took command, he marched from Sackett's 
Harbor to the Niagara. On the morning of the 3d of July, his ad- 
vance, under Scott and Ripley, crossed the river and carried Fort Erie. 
The garrison fell back to General Riall's entrenched camp at Chip- 
pewa. On the 5th, Scott drove in the British outposts, and Riall, 
who had crossed the Chippewa and dispersed the American volun- 
teers before him, was driven back by Scott over the river at the point 
of the bayonet. In this sanguinary battle, Riall lost five hundred 
men. He then retreated to Burlington Heights, where he was joined 
by General Drummond, who at once assumed command. 

Now greatly outnumbering Brown, Drummond advanced to meet 
the Americans. To prevent the losg of his magazines. Brown sent for- 
ward Scott with his brigade and some artillery. About a mile from 
Chippewa, Scott came upon Riall's whole army. It was near sunset, 
but the armies engaoed within siirht and hearino- of Niagara Falls. 
From sunset to midnight the battle raged. Scott suffered severely, 
but he maintained his ground, awaiting aid, till by a diversion he 
routed the Canadian militia, and captured Riall himself. At nightfall 



"WE WILL try" — THE MIDNIGHT ATTACK. 643 

Brown came up with Ripley's brigade, and threw himself in front of 
Scott. A British park of artillery had galled Scott terribly. Brown 
ordered Colonel Miller to storm it. With the simple answer, " We will 
try," Miller pushed up the hill, and drove the men from the guns at 
the point of the bayonet, exposed the whole time to a terrible fire. 

That night the English advanced stealthily to recover their guns, 
but soon recoiled before the American musketry. In half an hour they 
again advanced, but after a severe conflict, in which Scott took them 
in flank, they were again driven back. Rallying with desperate 
energy, they made a third attempt, in which bayonets were frequently 
crossed, but it was all in vain. Drummond, after losing nearly nine 
hundred men, at last drew off, leaving the Americans in quiet posses- 
sion of the field, but with nearly as heavy a loss. Generals Brown 
and Scott, who had both been wounded in this desperate battle, 
left the field, and the command devolved on Ripley. That 
general, after awaiting for half an hour any further movement 
of the enemy, returned to his camp. The cannon so gallantly 
captured were left on the field, as he had no means of removing 
them. 

The American army then fell back to Fort Erie, where General 
Gaines assumed command. Drummond was not yet discouraged. 
With a force of five thousand men, he again advanced, and on the 
4th of August invested Fort Erie. At midnight, on the 15th of 
August, he assaulted it in three columns. Gaines repulsed two of 
these columns, but the third, with daring intrepidity, effected a 
lodgement in one bastion, and held their position till a quantity of 
cartridges exploded. Fearing that a mine was about to be sprung 
on them they retreated. This assault cost Drummond nearly an- 



644 Mcdonough's victory at plattsburg. 

other thousand men, but he kept up the siege, till Brown, in a sortie, 
destroyed his advanced works, blew up the magazines, spiked the 
guns, took four hundred prisoners, and drove Drummond towards 
Chippewa. Then learning that General Izard was on his way with 
reinforcements, Drummond retreated to Fort George. 

Fort Erie was, however, too exposed to hold safely ; it was accord- 
ingly dismantled and destroyed in November, and the American 
forces, crossing the Niagara, took up their winter quarters at Buffalo, 
Black Rock, and Batavia. 

These were not the only operations on the northern frontier. 
When Izard marched to relieve General Brown, Plattsbure was left 
quite exposed. General Macomb having only fifteen hundred men to 
defend the important line of Lake Champlain. General Prevost 
seized the opportunity to strike a decisive blow. He at once marched 
down with fourteen thousand men, chiefly veterans, who had won 
distinction under Wellington in Europe. His advance was covered 
by a fleet under Commodore Downie. General Macomb at once 
called for militia, and Commodore McDonough, a most efficient 
commander, prepared to meet Downie on his element. 

Prevost, on reaching Plattsburg, on the 6th of September, found 
Macomb's little army, with a strong body of militia, drawn up in a 
strong position beyond the Saranac, ready to dispute its passage. Com- 
modore McDonough drew up his little fleet across the harbor to re- 
ceive the English fleet, which bore down upon him on the i ith. A 
desperate naval engagement ensued, on the waters of that beautiful 
lake ; but after a contest of two hours and twenty minutes, Downie's 
flagship struck, several others of his vessels did the same, a few es- 
caped, but the whole fleet was dispersed, and nearly all captured. 



THE BRITISH MARCH ON WASHINGTON. 645 

Though disheartened at this unexpected result, Prevost fought fiercely 
all day long to cross the Saranac, but was bravely resisted. During 
the evening, he retreated in haste, leaving his sick and wounded, with 
most of his baggage and stores. 

The evident intention of the British, to attack some city on the At- 
lantic seaboard, kept the Administration in great alarm, but little was 
done to meet the emergency, and the measures of defense taken were 
tardy and ill-concerted. At last, on the i8th of August, Admiral 
Cochrane entered the Chesapeake with a fleet of nearly sixty vessels, 
bearing a division of Wellington's army, numbering" four thousand 
men, under the command of General Ross. To oppose this force, 
there were in the waters of the bay only a small flotilla, commanded 
by Commodore Barney. The army under Ross, accordingly, landed 
on the 20th, at Benedict, on the Patuxent, and at once moved on 
Washington, guided by negroes. 

Armstrong, the Secretary of War, now made some hasty attempts 
to defend the capital, and after great exertion, a motley host gathered 
at Bladensburg, to check Ross. There were Maryland militia, under 
Stansbury, a few of General Winder's regulars, sailors and marines 
from Barney's flotilla, now abandoned and burned. The English 
came up, exhausted and doubtful, but as their only chance lay in a 
bold dash, they charged like veterans that they were. The militia 
broke and fled. Barney and Miller, with their artillery, for a time 
checked the British advance, but as the Annapolis regiment, and 
regulars supporting them, at last gave way, the sailors and marines 
drew off, leaving their wounded commanders on the field. 

The ijround was but a few miles from Washington, and the Presi- 
dent and his cabinet had been on the field. They were swept away 



646 VANDALISM CHARACTERISTIC OF THE BRITISH. 

by the tide of fugitives. At Washington, all was panic and 
alarm. 

After a brief rest, Ross pushed on, and occupied Washington the 
same day. VVith the vandalism characteristic of his nation, he burned 
the Capitol and other public buildings, destroying the library of Con- 
gress, and much of the national archives. Other public and private 
property was destroyed. Europe had just seen capital after capital 
captured, but had witnessed in no case such barbarous destruction as 
disoraced. the Eng;lisn in America. Ross felt this, and felt his dan- 
ger : fearing to be treated as a midnight incendiary if taken, he 
rapidly retired, leaving his wounded to the mercy of the Americans. 
The British fleet then advanced to Alexandria, and carried off an im- 
mense quantity of flour, tobacco, and other merchandise. 

While one crew of English marauders was thus ravaging and plun- 
dering the shores of the Chesapeake, another was committing similar 
acts on the coast of Maine and Massachusetts ; and the British com- 
manders officially announced in dispatches their intention to destroy 
and lay waste every town they could reach. When Paul Jones, in the 
Revolution, plundered Lord Selkirk's place, the English could not find 
words to condemn it as an act that made him a pirate. Yet that was 
a mere sudden act of private vengeance, while their course in America 
was premeditated and planned. America was rouSed to make a vigor- 
ous defense, so that when Cockburn landed Ross at North Point, on the 
Patapsco, on the 1 2th of September, in order to attack and sack Balti- 
more, they found more formidable preparations to receive them. The 
fleet bombarded Fort McHenry, while Ross attempted to push forward 
towards the city. They were soon checked by the advance of the mi- 
litia, under General Strieker. A skirmish at once ensued, in which the 



BALTIiMORE SAVED THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER. 647 

incendiary Ross was killed. Colonel Brooke, his successor, driving 
on the American advance, the action became general. The artillery 
did great execution on both sides ; but the militia, fighting for their 
homes, held in check a superior force of English veterans for an hour 
and a half. Forced back after killing and wounding nearly twice as 
many of their opponents as they lost, they retired in order, till Gen- 
eral Winder came up. Both parties slept on their arms. In the 
morning, Brooke reconnoitred the American lines, and hesitated. He 
conferred with Cochrane, who had been pouring into Fort McHenry 
a perfect tornado of shells, but the brave commander, Major Armi- 
stead, showed no signs of yielding. The English commanders were 
disconcerted. Discomfited, the army retired to the shipping and 
withdrew. 

Baltimore was saved. The song, " The Star-spangled Banner," 
was composed at this time by Francis S. Key, who had been watch- 
ing from Cochrane's ship, where he was detained, the flag at Fort 
McHenry. 

The ravages of the coast were not ended. For four days Commo- 
dore Hardy bombarded Stonington, Connecticut, although every at- 
tempt to land was repulsed by the militia. 

There seemed to be no violation of the laws of war to which the 
English would not stoop. Pensacola was in Florida, then a Span- 
ish province. An English squadron took possession of the forts, with 
the connivance or consent of tlie Spanish authorities, and from it fitted 
out an expedition of British and Indians against Fort Bowyer, at the 
entrance of Mobile Bay. But this violation of neutral territory did 
not avail them. Fort Bowyer made a vigorous defense : the British 
were repulsed by the gallant Major Lawrence, who, with only one hun- 



648 GENERAL JACKSON TAKES PENSACOLA. 

dred and thirty-two men, killed two hundred and thirty-two of the 
British, and deprived them of a man-of-war. 

General Jackson was not one to brook such action on the part of 
the Spaniards. He demanded guarantees that they would not permit 
any further hostilities from their territory, and as the Spaniards gave 
no satisfaction, Jackson, with two thousand Tennessee militia and 
some Choctaws, marched on Pensacola, took it by storm, November 
7th, 1814, drove the British to their shipping, and compelled the 
Spaniards to surrender the town and forts unconditionally. The fleet 
sailed off, leaving their Spanish friends in the lurch. 

Returning to Mobile, Jackson heard that New Orleans was menaced. 
It was then a city of twenty thousand inhabitants, chiefly of French 
and Spanish origin, with little attachment yet to the new Government, 
to which they were comparative strangers. Jackson could not count 
here on any vigorous militia. Still he assembled his forces, and en- 
deavored to protect the city. His preparations were rapid, but on the 
1 2th of December, 18 14, the British fleet anchored off Lake Borgne, 
with one of the most imposing British armies yet seen on the continent. 
Twelve thousand men, under Generals Pakenham, Keene, Lambert, 
and Gibbs, landed after the American flotilla had been dispersed. 
Jackson proclaimed martial law, and called on Tennessee and Missis- 
sippi for aid. It came slowly. By the 21st, he had five thousand men 
at his command. The next day, twenty-four hundred of the enemy 
reached the Mississippi, nine miles below New Orleans. Jackson, 
alive to every advantage, at once led a part of his force to attack them 
the following night, and, with the loss of a hundred, cutoff four times 
that number of the enemy. This roused the spirit of his men. They 
had attacked these veterans, and caused them heavy loss. 



THE GLORIOUS BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS. 649 

Four miles below the city, Jackson had thrown up a line of intrench- 
ments. Here he now concentrated his troops, strengthening his hasty- 
fortifications with cotton bales, and anchoring a vessel in the stream to 
cover his tlank. On the 2Sth, Pakenham began the attack. He drove 
in the American outposts, but after a seven-hours' cannonade, was com- 
pelled to retire with loss. On the ist of January, 1815, Pakenham 
renewed the bombardment, but his guns were silenced and dismounted. 
Three thousand Kentucky volunteers now came pouring into Jackson's 
camp, so that all along his line of intrenchments he had the keen-eyed 
marksmen of the West. He threw up works beyond the river, and 
confidently awaited the attack. On the 8th, the final assault was made 
by Pakenham and his three subordinate generals on the one bank of 
the river, while Thornton, on the other, engaged the new American 
works, and soon carried them. But Pakenham, as he came up, was met 
by a tremendous cannonade ; yet he pushed bravely on, till he came 
within rifle-range, when a sheet of flame belched out, and the sharp- 
shooters poured In volley after volley, aimed as at a target, by men 
who rarely missed. With the instinct of soldiers, the British pressed 
on, but their line wavered. Pakenham, attempting to restore order, 
was killed ; Gibbs was mortally wounded, and Lambert, who took 
command, at last retreated, leaving two thousand dead and wounded 
on the field. Their retreat soon became a flight. Their encampment 
was reached to be abandoned, and the fugitives escaped to their ships. 
This repulse and fearful slaughter of the British cost the lives of only 
seven killed and as many wounded on the American side. 

So signal a victory made the country ring with joy. It was so deci- 
sive, so complete a triumph of voluneers over regular European troops, 
that it filled all with new hopes, and made Jackson the hero of the hour. 



650 NAVAL ENGAGEMENTS AFTER PEACE. 

Yet this battle was fought after peace had been signed. England, 
while negotiating for peace, had been carrying on this savage war on 
the American shores, hoping to inflict injury to the last moment. 
Close on the tidings of the victory at New Orleans, news arrived at 
New York that the commissioners sent out by the United States had 
actually negotiated a peace with England, and that Parliament had 
already ratified the treaty. On its ratification by Congress, all hostili- 
ties were to cease. This took place on the 1 7th of February, and the 
treaty of Ghent thus put an end to this unfortunate war, in which the 
last battle alone shed luster on American arms. 

The news did not reach the vessels at sea for some time, and several 
naval actions occurred. On the 20th of February, 181 5, the Constitu- 
tion, " Old Ironsides," as the sailors called her, discovered two war 
vessels of English trim near Lisbon. Captain Stewart at once gave 
chase, and at sunset, having overhauled them, he ranged ahead and 
opened. His broadsides were answered ; then the battle went on hot 
and heavy, till the combatants were fairly hidden in the smoke. When 
it cleared, Stewart again opened, pouring in broadsides right and 
left, till the Constitution reeled. One of the enemy, the Cyane, a 
34-gun ship, was soon unmanageable, and she fired a gun to show that 
she surrendered. Then the Constitution pursued the other, the Le- 
vant, which soon struck, having five feet of water in her hold. The 
gallant old Constitution had thus captured two vessels, killing and 
wounding nearly eighty men, with very little loss to herself in men 
or otherwise. 

Away off by the Cape of Good Hope, in March, the sloop-of-war 
Hornet fell in with the British brig-of-war Penguin. The vessels 
were about equally matched, and the battle was a desperate one. The 




DECATUR'S CONFLICT WITH THE ALGEBINE AT TRIPOLI, li^aye («I. Mit-a s Hisi,.i-yj 
LRBUbeu Jaaies i;ucrpu!.iii^ Ijis liead to save the life of Ills coiiimaiicJer.) 



COMMODORE DACATUR MAKES SHORT WORK WITH ALGIERS. 65 1 

captain of the Penguin was killed in a daring attempt to board the 
Hornet, and not only were the English tars beaten back, but they 
were forced to strike, when their vessel was so cut up that the Amer- 
icans had to scuttle her. In June, the Peacock compelled the Nautilus 
to strike to her in the Straits of Funda. This was the last action of 
the war, which closed, as it had begun, In the naval glory of America. 
During the war on the ocean the English had captured sixteen hun- 
dred a"nd eighty-three American vessels of all sizes, but lost seven- 
teen hundred and fifty. 

Peace having been restored with Great Britain, and the fall of Na- 
poleon having kd to a general pacification in Europe, commerce re- 
vived, and with it came general prosperity. The revenue from im- 
ports rose In one year from four millions to thirty-seven millions of 
dollars. Emigration, which had been checked, now increased, gain- 
in- steadily from year to year, as people suffering from the effects of 
w^r and oppression in the Old World heard of the land where all 
men were free, and every man enjoyed the fruit of his labor. 

With the peace the army was reduced to a small force of ten thou- 
sand men, employed in garrisoning the forts and watching the Indian 
frontier. The navy, however, was maintained, and proposals even 
made for Increasing it. As the Barbary States had resumed their old 
Insolence, Decatur was sent out to chastise Algiers, which had declared 
war. He made short work of it. He captured the two largest ves- 
sels In the Algerine fleet, and in June compelled the Dey to sign a 
treaty on his quarter-deck. There were complaints also against the 
Bashaws of Tunis and Tripoli, who had allowed English cruisers to 
capture American vessels under their guns. For this, Decatur com- 
pelled them to make Indemnity, Tunis paying forty-six thousand dol- 



652 INDIANS REMOVED BEYOND THE MISSISSIPPI. 

lars, and Tripoli twenty-five tliousand. The Barbary States had never 
been so humiliated. It was reserved for the young republic of Amer- 
ica to chastise those foes of civilization, and eive a decisive blow to 
their system of piracy, which had endured for centuries. As every 
one of the Barbary States had learned to respect the American flag, 
their power was broken, and Europeans soon found courage to follow 
the example of the United States. 

There were few important events during the remainder of Madison's 
administration. Indiana and Mississippi were admitted as States in 
1 816, and Alabama Territory organized. About the same time 
Church and State were separated in Massachusetts. The Government 
at this period began a plan for removing the Indians where possible 
beyond the Mississippi River. By treaties with the Cherokees, 
Chickasaws, and Choctaws, the Government acquired a vast territory, 
and many of the Indians, preferring a hunter's life, moved over be- 
yond the Mississippi, where game was plentiful. 

The administration of James Madison was now drawing to a close. 
It had been one of difficulty and war, which he was obliged to carry 
on without preparation, and under great obstacles. At the new elec- 
tion, which took place this year, James Monroe, of \'^irginia, a Rev- 
olutionary officer, who had served his country in many high and im- 
portant positions, was elected President, and Daniel D. Tompkins, 
of New York, Vice-President. 



CHAPTER VI. 

JAMES MONROE, FIFTH PRESIDENT— 1817-1825. 

Indian Troubles — The Seminoles — Seizure of Spanish Forts — Florida Ceded to the United 
States — The Treaty of Ghent — Alabama — Arkansas, Maine — The Missouri Compro- 
mise — Lafayette Revisits the United States — The Monroe Doctrine — West India Pirates 
Broken up. 

Mr. Monroe was inaugurated at Washington in the Capitol, which 
had begun to rise from its ashes. He began his administration with 
happy auspices. There was no bitter poHtical feeling ; it was indeed 
a time of harmony, peace, and tranquillity. The only embarrassment 
was the distress caused by the stoppage of various manufactories 
which had grown up during the war, but which could not now compete 
with European goods. This threw many out of employment, and 
would have caused great suffering had not the general activity carried 
numbers of natives and emigrants westward to settle the new States 
and Territories. 

Monroe selected for his Cabinet, John Ouincy Adams, as Secretary 
of State ; William H. Crawford, Secretary of the Treasury ; John C. 
Calhoun, Secretary of War; Benjamin Crowninshield, Secretary of 
the Navy, and William Wirt, Attorney-General. 

The Spanish colonies in America were at this time almost all in a 

revolution against Spain, and two piratical establishments grew up in 

the disorder near the United States, one in Florida, the other in 

Texas. These were broken up soon after the commencement of 

Monroe's administration. 

653 



654 JACKSON DRIVES THE SEMINOLES INTO FLORIDA. 

A more serious trouble, and one that was to annoy the country for 
years, arose in Florida. A fort of Seminoles, negroes, and Indians, on 
the Apalachicola River, in the province of Florida, which then be- 
longed to the Spaniards, gave shelter to the runaway slaves of Geor- 
gia. Some troops under General Clinch, and Creeks under Mcintosh, 
a half-breed, invested the fortin September, 1816. They blew up the 
magazine, killing three hundred and fifty men, women, and children. 
On this the fort surrendered ; but Clinch, with a cruelty happily not 
often to be met with in American generals, put the commanders to 
death in cold blood. 

This led to a new war. In November, 181 7, General Gaines 
marched against them, and burned an Indian town ; but the Seminoles 
at once took the field with so brave a spirit, that General Gaines 
had to call on the militia of Georgia to aid him. The War Department 
ordered General Jackson to march with his Tennessee militia to the 
seat of war. That active general built Fort Gadsden on the site of that 
destroyed b}/ Clinch. Then he marched east against the Seminole vil- 
lage, which he burned without incurring any loss, and then, under the 
pretext that the people there had aided the Indians, he seized the 
Spanish fort at St. Mark's, April 7, 1818. After this he attacked an- 
other Indian fort at the mouth of the Suwanee, where the Indians under 
Ambrister, an Englishman, in two considerable skirmishes, checked 
him for a time ; but Jackson at last burned the town, took Ambrister, 
and hanged him as well as another Englishman found at St. Mark's, 
and two Indian chiefs. Pensacola was the only remaining Spanish 
post, and on this Jackson at once advanced. The governor and garri- 
son retired from the town to Fort Barrancas, on Santa Rosa Island, at 
the entrance to the bay. The American general compelled him, how- 



NO WAR WITH SPAIN FLORIDA PURCHASED. 655 

ever, to surrender, and sent liim to Havana with all the Spanish offi- 
cials and troops. He even ordered General Gaines to march upon 
St. Augustine. 

As there was no war with Spain, this whole course was contrary to 
right and law, and was severely censured ; but many people, deeming 
the Spanish authorities responsible for the Indian hostilities, sustained 
him. Spain was then almost powerless in America, nearly all her col- 
onies having- revolted. Florida was not a rich province, and had 
ceased to be important to her. She protested against the invasion by 
General Jackson, but now at last showed a disposition to sell this 
whole territory to the United States. After considerable discussion a 
treaty was signed February 22, 1819, by which the United States 
agreed to pay claims of her citizens against Spain amounting to five 
millions of dollars, and in return Spain ceded Florida, and fixed the 
boundary lin-^ between Louisiana and Mexico on the Gulf at the 
River Sabine. It followed that river to the thirty-third degree, and 
then ran to the source of the Arkansas. Thence westward the forty- 
second degree was the boundary line. 

The King of Spain at first refused to confirm this treaty, but, find- 
ing that there was no alternative, as the Americans were actually in 
possession of the country, finally ratified it in October, 1820, and for- 
mal possession of St. Augustine was immediately given. That little 
city came into the United States to rank as its oldest settlement. The 
Spanish settlers, although secured by the treaty in all their rights, 
generally emigrated to Cuba, and as few emigrants went southward, 
Florida increased in importance very slowly. 

There were still some matters to be adjusted with England, so as to 
prevent future difficulties. Under the treaty of Ghent a commission 



656 UNDECIDED NORTHERN BOUNDARY. 

of citizens of the two countries was appointed to settle the boundary 
line between the United States and the British possessions in America. 
The country in the interior was not well known when previous 
treaties were made, and it was impossible to run the lines as there laid 
down from incorrect maps. After long examination this commission, 
in 1819, fixed the northern boundary by running aline through the St. 
Lawrence and the great lakes, and making the forty-ninth degree the 
boundary line between the territory of both countries, from the Lake 
of the Woods to the Rocky Mountains. Beyond that nothing was 
decided, Oregon being left open to both parties for ten years. 

The western territory was filling up with settlements, where before 
all had been a wilderness, dotted here and there by an Indian village, 
and traversed only by the red hunter and warrior, or the adventurous 
white trapper. Many of the Indian tribes, the Chippewas, Ottawas, 
Pottawatomies, Miamis, Delawares, Shawnees, Wyandots, sold to the 
Government their rights in extensive tracts which they claimed as 
hunting grounds, and agreed to remove beyond the Mississippi. Ken- 
tucky and Tennessee also induced the Chickasaws to give up their 
iclaim to much of the territory of those two States. The lands thus 
acquired were thrown open to settlers, who were soon clearing, 
planting, and building, and the clatter of mills and forges, the church- 
o-oine bell, and the sounds of the village school began to be heard. 

Ii? 1819 the southern part of Missouri Territory was organized as a 
separate government, under the name of Arkansas Territory. The 
remaining portion at the north solicited admission as a State, and the 
District of Maine, heretofore held by Massachusetts, also asked the 
same right. Alabama was admitted in 1819 ; but a violent discussion 
arose as to Missouri. The North had now generally abandoned sla- 



THE MISSOURI COMPROMISE PASSED. 657 

very, and most of the States were passing laws to abolish it entirely. 
In fact, the great emigration from Europe to America supplied those 
States with labor which was cheaper than slave labor, so that those 
who had refused to listen to arguments while it was profitable, were now 
very quick to see that slavery was.wrong. The great question came up 
whether slavery should be permitted in the territory west of the Mis- 
sissippi. The North wished it free ; the men of the South wished to 
have the right to emigrate there with their slaves when they saw fit. 

Here began a struggle which was not ended till nearly fifty years 
from this time, and then only, as we shall see, after one of the 
bloodiest wars in history. 

The bill for the admission of Missouri, as introduced, had a clause 
excluding slavery : the ma,tter was debated in Congress and discussed 
throughout the country for two years, when a compromise was finally 
agreed to on the last day of February, 182 1. By this it was agreed 
that slavery should be admitfed in Missouri, and in all territory south 
of Missouri and of a line running west from its southern boundary 
line. This Missouri Compromise settled for a time this important 
question, and Missouii was admitted as the twenty-fourth State of 
the Union, August 21, 1821. 

Mr. Monroe had already, in 1820, been re-elected President, and 
Mr. Tompkins Vice-President, with scarcely a dissenting voice. The 
second term was not marked by any great events. Provision was 
made by Congress for the relief of the surviving soldiers of the Rev- 
olution, a pension being allowed to each. Year by year they dropped 
away, until at last, toward the close of the -century from the time of 
the Stamp Act troubles, the last of them passed away. 

During Monroe's administration, a very favorable arrangement was 



658 VISIT OF LAFAYETTE — MONROE DOCTRINE. 

made with Great Britain in regard to the right of American fishermen 
to take cod on the Great Bank of Newfoundland. 

An event which excited general interest and joy was the visit at this 
time paid to the United States by General Lafayette. This visit of 
the illustrious man to the country which he had served so nobly in his 
youth, and where he was now welcomed as one of the founders of the 
republic, was pleasing alike to the country and its guest. The Gov- 
ernment and the citizens vied with each other in doing him honor, and 
when after visiting a considerable portion of the United States, won- 
dering and gratified at its progress since the days when he suffered and 
fought at the side of Washington — when, with a thankful heart, he pre- 
pared to return to France, the Government prepared a fine frigate, the 
Brandywine, for his accommodation. Lafayette never again visited 
America. He died in France soon after he had by his influence 
raised to the throne, in 1830, Louis Philippe, Duke of Orleans. As 
a gallant officer of our Revolutionary army, and the man whose zeal, 
undaunted by obstacles, enabled us to win the alliance of France, 
Lafayette will ever be an object of the nation's gratitude. 

A doctrine put forward by President Monroe, and often spoken of, 
had reference to European settlements in America. When Spain 
found herself unable to reduce her revolted American colonies, she, 
in December, 1823, addressed a formal invitation to the Courts of 
Russia, Prussia, Austria, and France, to send plenipotentiaries to 
Paris, to adopt plans for assisting her. Such a concert of European 
powers combining to interpose in American affairs, was fraught with 
danger, and Monroe, in his message to Congress, declared that our 
Government would regard as directed against it, and would resist, any 
combination of European Powers for colonization or any other purpose. 



PIRACY SUPPRESSED " ERA OF GOOD FEELING." 659 

During the latter years of Monroe's second term, expeditions were 
sent out to break up the nests of pirates who had been for years 
constantly engaged in plundering the commerce of America in the 
West Indies. The efforts were crowned with perfect success, al- 
though it was difficult to pursue the pirates amid the small islands 
in which they had their haunts. But Commodore Porter, in 1822 
and 1823, with a small fleet, broke up their various rendezvous, and 
taught them such a lesson that the bands scattered, and these depre- 
dations on our commerce were arrested. 

As the administration of Mr. Monroe approached its close, it was 
evident that the " era of good feeling," as it was called, had passed 
away. Party violence again seized the public mind. The nomina- 
tions for the Presidency had on former occasions been made by the 
members of Congress, acting as a convention for the purpose. In 
this case they nominated John Ouincy Adams, but several independ- 
ent candidates appeared — General Andrew Jackson of Tennessee, 
Henry Clay of Kentucky, and William H. Crawford of Georgia. Each 
candidate received the support of his own section of the country, and 
the result was that no one of the four received enough votes to secure 
his election. Jackson received more votes than any of the others, but 
as he did not obtain more than them all, it was not sufficient. 

In such cases the Constitution provided that the House of Repre- 
sentatives should select the President. After a fjreat deal of intrigue 
and bargaining, such as had never yet been seen in America, Henry 
Clay gave way, and his friends supporting Mr. Adams, he was elected 
President of the United States. John C. Calhoun, of South Caro- 
lina, had received in the election votes which made him Vice-Presi- 
dent. 



CHAPTER VII. 

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS— SIXTH PRESIDENT— 1825-1829. 

Internal Improvements — Death of Adams and Jefferson — Indian Troubles — Masonic Excite- 
ment. 

The administration of John Ouincy Adams was marked by few 
important events. There was undisturbed peace, and a season of 
great prosperity. By this time the fruits of Fulton's invention were 
evident : without it the people of so vast a country would have been 
long strangers to each other ; steam allowed ships to ascend the navi- 
gable rivers with rapidity, and this brought the produce of all parts 
to the great centres of trade. New York, anxious to secure the trade 
of the West, which would evidently be the great grain-district of Amer- 
ica, as well as its best pasturage, began, under the auspices of De 
Witt Clinton, the Erie Canal, to connect the Hudson River with the 
waters of Lake Erie above the Falls. The great work was ridiculed 
by many, and termed " Clinton's big ditch," but it was completed at a 
cost of five millions of dollars. When, in November, 1825, a canal- 
boat from Buffalo reached New York, there was an enthusiastic cele- 
bration, and all joined in exulting over this new avenue for trade. 

During this administration, the first railroad was opened in the 
United States. 

It was the pioneer of that vast system of railways that now trav- 
erse the country in all directions, uniting the Atlantic to the Pacific. 

A still greater improvement was to be brought about by railroads, 
on which cars were drawn by locomotives, which are steam engines 
on wheels. A horse railroad was begun at Ouincy, Massachusetts, in 
1825 ; but in 1829 the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company imported 

two locomotives of Stevenson's invention, and began the first railroad 

660 



COUNTRY AT PEACE SURPLUS IM TREASURY. 66l 

for Steam cars. The success of the experiment led to the formation 
of companies in all parts, and railroads soon began to connect all the 
great cities. 

A strange coincidence marked the 4th of July, 1826, the fiftieth an- 
niversary of the Declaration of Independence. On that day, within 
a few hours of each other, two signers of the Declaration, who had 
successively filled the Presidential chair, Thomas Jefferson and John 
Adams, both expired, each in his own State. Jefferson, almost with 
his last breath, said, " Adams still lives," little supposing that he, too, 
was passing away. The disputes of their political career had been 
forgotten; both had long been regarded with reverence and respect, and 
their death on so remarkable a day was an object of public mourning. 

The same year witnessed the celebrated Morgan excitement in 
New York, which led to the formation of an Anti-masoric party in 
that State, which was long in power. 

The election which took place in the autumn of 1828, and in which 
Adams and Jackson were again opposed, was. one of greater popular 
excitement than had ever yet been seen in the United States. Popu- 
lar gatherings were held, speeches made, and the newspapers entered 
violently into the advocacy of their favorite candidate. It opened 
that series of eagerly contested elections, so fraught with corruption, 
fraud, intrigue, and violence, which had done so much to lower the 
national character, and made the elections. an affair of politicians by 
driving away the quiet citizens. 

Jackson, now supported by Crawford, was chosen by a large 
majority, and John C. Calhoun was again elected Vice-President. 

President Adams retiring, left a country at peace, the public debt 
greatly diminished, and a large surplus in the treasury. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

ANDREW JACKSON, SEVENTH PRESIDENT— 1829-1S37. 

Striking Inauguration— A Bad Policy— Cherolcee Difficulties— The United States Bank— 
Black Hawk War — Nullification in South Carolina — Seminole War — Texas becomes an 
Independent Republic — Arkansas and Michigan Admitted— The Specie Circular. 

The inauguration of General Jackson \vas marked by a new and 
striking feature. He tools: the oath surrounded by several of the sur- 
viving officers and soldiers of the Revolutionar\- War, in which he 
himself, as a spirited boy, had received a sabre-wound from a British 
soldier. 

His Cabinet was composed of Martin Van Buren, Secretary of 
State ; Samuel D. Ingham, Secretary of the Treasury ; John H. Eaton, 
Secretary of War; John Branch, Secretary of the Navy; and John 
McPherson Berrian, Attorney-General. 

Jackson was honest and patriotic, but he was intolerant of opposi- 
tion, and wished all to bend to his firm will ; and his administration 
was one of storm)' contention. 

He initiated a system which has been most injurious to the coun- 
try. Using the military maxim, " To the victors belong the spoils," 
he gave every office in his gift to his partisans in the late election, 
and men were removed from office on no charfje of unfitness or nee- 
lect in the discharge of their duties, but simply on political grounds. 

The condition of the Indian tribes led to the first trouble. The 
United States had by several treaties guaranteed to the Cherokees 

the territory held by them, and in which they had sole jurisdiction as 

662 



UNITED STATES BANK CHARTER VETOED. 66 



J 



an independent tribe. The State of Georgia resolved to extend the 
State laws over it and subject the Cherokees to them, without, how- 
ever, giving them any of the rights of citizens. The Cherokees ap- 
pealed to the Supreme Court, which at last gave a decision in their 
favor on some points ; but even on these Georgia refused to yield, ant! 
Jackson really sustained Georgia. His great wish was to remove all 
the Indians beyond the Mississippi. Finding that there was no alter- 
native, apart of the Cherokees agreed to remove ; and in 1838, Gen- 
eral Scott was sent to their lands with a large body of troops to re- 
move the tribe, using force if necessary. Fortunately, the Cherokees 
submitted, and were placed west of Arkansas. 

An opposition to the United States Bank, which was then the de- 
pository of the moneys belonging to the Government, was one of the 
great principles of the Jackson party. As the charter was about to 
expire, the bank solicited its renewal, and after a long debate in 
Congress, an act was passed in 1832 ; but President Jackson, on the 
loth of July, vetoed the bill, and subsequently removed the deposits 
and placed them in various State banks. 

Dreadful scourges, war and pestilence, also afflicted the country in 
the year 1832. In the summer, the Asiatic cholera, which had rav- 
aged Europe, appeared simultaneously at Quebec and New York, 
and spread over the whole country, sweeping off thousands, especially 
in the large cities. 

During the spring of that year, the Sacs, Foxes, and Winnebagoes, 
in Wisconsin, under Black Hawk, a Sac chief, began to ravage the 
frontiers of Illinois, destroying many new villages, slaughtering fami- 
lies, and giving all to the flames. United States troops under Colo- 
nel Taylor, and Illinois militia under General Atkinson, were sent 



664 NULLIFICATION IN SOUTH CAROLINA — COMPROMISE. 

against them ; and though this body of white troops was thinned by 
cholera and desertion, Colonel Taylor, by forced marches, overtook 
the enemy on the 2d of August, at the mouth of the Iowa, and routing 
the Indian braves, captured Black Hawk, and put an end to the war. 
This Indian outbreak had scarcely been suppressed when a new dan- 
ger appeared, greater than any that yet threatened the Government — 
the danger of a dissolution of the Union. A tariff act, passed in 1832, 
imposed duties which the Southern States deemed unjust and partial : 
most of the States merely murmured, but South Carolina, refusing to 
submit, threatened to withdraw from the Union and set up an inde- 
pendent government, for the first time claiming the right to secede. 
Similar threats had been made daring the war by some Northern 
States, but they had never gone as far as in this case. South Carolina 
prepared to resist by force of arms. Electing the eloquent Hayne 
Governor, they began to organize troops, while Calhoun, resigning his 
position as Vice-President of the United States, entered the Senate 
Chamber as Senator from South Carolina, in order to make a final 
effort there. The President, however, was too stern and peremptory a 
man to brook opposition even in case of doubt : he issued a proclama- 
tion, declaring his resolution to enforce obedience, and, if necessary, at 
the point of the bayonet. His previous career gave proof that such a 
threat would not be an idle one. Congress, in a long and able debate, 
in which Daniel Webster delivered a famous exposition of the Consti- 
tution, sustained the President, and South Carolina submitted, protest- 
ing against the injustice done her. At this juncture, Henry Clay in- 
troduced his plan of compromise, which was adopted, and the difficulty 
was avoided for the time. Yet it was clear that the time for compro- 
mise was nearly gone. Amid all this excitement a Presidential election 



SERIOUS WAR WITH THE SEMINOLES. 665 

came off. The country at large sustained Jackson, who was re- 
elected, with Martin Van Buren, of New York, as Vice-President. 

About this time, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the last of the sign- 
ers of the Declaration of Independence, expired, at a moment when 
the work of the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Con- 
vention seemed about to be destroyed. 

A more serious Indian war than Black Hawk's now engfasfed atten- 
tion, and for years cost blood and treasure without stint. This was 
the Seminole War in Florida. Trouble with them began at the time 
that Gen. Jackson attacked their fort in Florida. They had then be- 
come imbittered against the Americans. "Seminoles" means Wan- 
derers, and the tribe that bears the name belongs to the Creek Nation, 
and was formed chiefly of the fragments of tribes converted by the 
Spanish missionaries, but almost exterminated by Georgia and South 
Carolina. The proposal to remove them beyond the Mississippi ex- 
cited the strongest opposition, but the Government made a treaty in 
1832, with a few inferior chiefs, who pretended to act for the tribe. 
The Seminole Nation, however, with Micanapy, their king, disavowed 
the acts of these chiefs, and refused to depart. General Thompson, 
the Government agent, hoping to overawe them, seized one chief, the 
gallant Osceola, and put him in irons. The Seminole chief, in order 
to secure his liberty, signed a treaty, but secretly laid plans for a bit- 
ter war on the whites. He at once organized all the braves of the 
nation, and prepared for a simultaneous attack on the various posts, 
and a general ravaging of the country. The day before Christmas, 
1835, was fixed for the execution of his design. That day, Major 
Dade, with a hundred and ten men, moved forward from Fort Brooke, 
on Tampa Bay, to reinforce General Clinch, then at Fort Drane, near 



666 GENERAL SCOTT SPEEDILY REDUCES THE CREEKS. 

Orange Lake. That day, General Thompson was dining with friends 
in a house outside Fort Kiny, where he was stationed. While 
the wine passed briskly around, amid laughter and merriment, Osceola 
and a small war-party burst in upon them. Thompson fell, riddled 
by fifteen bullets ; nearly every one of the party shared his fate ; and 
Osceola, scalping the man who had so wronged hini, drew off to the 
woods before the garrison of the fort were aware of what had occurred. 
As Dade rode along by Wahoo Swamp, amid the rank vegetation of 
the Florida Everglades, flashes from every side announced the attack. 
Dade and most of his men fell at the first volley. Thirty escaped, 
and throwing up an intrenchment of logs, prepared to sell their lives 
dearly. But Osceola, fresh from his exploit, bounded in among his 
braves, and led them in a furious charge. Every soldier was slain 
but one, who, wounded unto death, managed to reach the whites and 
tell the story of Dade's detachment. 

General Clinch collected all his forces, and marched to the Withla- 
coochee ; but he too was suddenly attacked on the last day of the year, 
and though he repulsed the Indians, his loss amounted to a hundred 
killed and wounded, weakeninof his force so that he had to retreat. 
General Gaines, who penetrated to the same spot in February, 1836, 
was also attacked, and lost several men. Roused by the success of 
the Seminoles, the Creeks took 'up arms, and Georgia and Alabama, 
like Florida, were exposed to all the horrors of Indian war. Steam- 
boats were taken, villages burned, and thousands were fleeing in 
all directions from the homes which they had built up. General 
Scott, however, took command, and, having speedily reduced the 
Creeks, the Government immediately transported several thousands 
of them to the territory assigned to them beyond the Mississippi. 



TEXAS AND THE MEXICAN REPUBLIC. 667 

Georgia also moved. Governor Call, of that State, took command 
of the fo'i-ces, numbering two thousand men, and marching into Florida, 
encountered the Seminoles at Wahoo Swamp, near the scene of Dade's 
defeat, and twice repulsed them with loss, after a long and terrible 

ntest. The Seminoles then, for a time, discontinued all active hos- 



CO 

tilities 



The rancor of political agitation about this time extended to re- 
Hoious matters, and, for the first time, America was menaced with 
rdioious strife between its citizens. Violent publications kept up the 
exckement, and a convent at Charlestown, Massachusetts, was burned 
by a mob ; but the people at large showed a disapproval of such acts, 
i • and the excitement died away, though it was renewed in after years, 
and led to the formation of a political party. 

Toward the close of the administration of General Jackson a strange 
revolution was taking place near the borders of the United States. 
Texas one of the States of the Mexican Republic, had been first occu- 
pied by the French, under La Salle, who, missing the mouth of the Mis- 
sissippi, entered by mistake Matagorda Bay, and threw up a fort there. 
This was soon after taken by the Indians, who massacred all but a few. 
• The Spaniards, who claimed the territory, sent a force to occupy the 
countrv The commander found only the victimsof Indian fury, and 
buried' them. Spain then planted forts and missions in various 
parts, and held the country till Mexico became free. Then Texas, 
with Coahuila. formed one of the States of Mexico. Many Americans 
gradually entered Texas, some of them taking slaves with them, 
although slavery had been abolished in Mexico. These new settlers, 
being strangers to the language, religion, and government of Mexico, 
became greatly discontented, and much trouble ensued. When, m 



668 TEXAS AN INDEPENDENT REPUBLIC. 

1835, the Federal Government at Mexico crushed down the State gov- 
ernments, and renounced the federal system, the Texans took up arms 
to resist this act, which they declared subversive of the original Con- 
stitution of Mexico. They called on their countrymen in the United 
States to join them. The United States offered no obstacles, and such 
numbers crossed the frontiers into Texas, that on the 2nd of March, 
1838, the people of Texas declared it an independent republic. 

Santa Anna, President of Mexico, resolved to crush the rebellion, 
and advanced into Texas at the head of an army. Having been 
defeated and taken prisoner by General Houston at the battle of San 
Jacinto, April 21st, he made a treaty with the Texans, which the 
republic of Mexico disavowed. Still Texas had virtually established 
her independence, and was recognized as a republic by foreign powers. 

Mexico made no further attempt to reduce it, and, under a separate 
government, Texas, increasing by emigration from the United States, 
became thoroughly American, and it was evident that it would soon 
become part of the United States. 

The intercourse between this country and foreign nations during the 
whole period of Jackson's administration had been one of peace. The 
only exception was a momentary difficulty with France, owing to old 
claims connected with Napoleon's decrees, under which American ships 
had been seized. To compensate the owners, France had agreed to 
pay five millions of dollars, but neglected to do so. Jackson threat- 
ened war, but by the intervention of England the affair was amicably 
arranged. 

In June, 1836, Arkansas became a State, and in January follow- 
ing-, Michiofan, a Northern State, was also admitted. 

As Jackson's second term was drawing to a close, the great political 



FINANCIAL PANIC OF 1 837. 669 

parties prepared for a new election. The Democrats put forward Mar- 
tin Van Buren as their candidate, while William Henry Harrison was 
the choice of the Whigs. Van Buren was elected, but there was no 
choice of Vice-President, no one of the candidates for that office re- 
ceiving a sufficient number of votes. The Senate, under the Constitu- 
tion, then proceeded to elect one, and Richard M. Johnson was chosen. 

Jackson's last act was to refuse his sanction to an act passed to re- 
peal his Specie Circular, which required all collectors of the public 
revenue to take only gold and silver in payment. The whole coun- 
try was affected at the time by a spirit of wild speculation, and the 
country was flooded with paper issued by banks, much of which ulti- 
mately proved worthless. The Specie Circular caused much diffi- 
culty, but has been adhered to as a wise rule. 

After his stormy administration, Jackson retired to private life, 
highly esteemed for his uprightness, integrity, and firmness, even by 
those who questioned some of his acts. 



CHAPTER IX. 

MARTIN VAN BUREN, EIGHTH PRESIDENT— 1837-1841. 

Bankruptcy caused by Speculation — The Independent Treasury — The Seminole War — Death 
of Osceola — Troubles in Canada — Wilkes's Exploring Expedition — The Maine Boundary'. 

The spirit of speculation which had invaded the country, soon 
broucrht about its natural result. The banks which had increased 
the amount of their loans day by day, at last took alarm. When 
men could no longer get money freely from the banks, many were 
unable to meet their obligations, and the consequence was a series of 



670 THE SEMINOLES AGREE TO REMOVAL. 

failures. In the city of New York, the failures amounted to a hun- 
dred millions of dollars, and a similar state of affairs prevailed 
throughout the country. Factories were stopped, and property of 
all kinds declined in value, for there were few able to buy. The 
banks suspended specie payment, and Government, which had placed 
its moneys in various banks, was unable to obtain gold and silver to 
pay the demands on the treasury. 

The President, in his message to Congress, proposed that in future 
the Government money should no longer be placed in banks for 
safe keeping, but retained by the Government in its own treasury. 
This excited great opposition, for people had come to look upon the 
public money as something that could be used in the trade of the 
country ; but the wisdoni of the plan was evident, and the independ- 
ent treasury has always been maintained. 

The Seminole war still continued, the Indians from time to time 
making fresh attacks. A treaty was made in March, 1837, by several 
chiefs who came into General Jesup's camp at Fort Dade. By its 
terms peace was restored, and the Seminoles agreed to remove beyond I 
the Mississippi. Still this was not the act of the whole tribe a war 
party still remained, weak in number, but full of resolution. Although 
without skillful chiefs, and with an organized army of nine thousand 
men against them, they continued the war. In the operations that fol- 
lowed through the summer, Osceola was the leading spirit ; and when, 
m October, he and some other chiefs, with a band of seventy warriors, 
entered Jesup's camp under the protection of a flag, Jesup seized and 
confined them. Osceola was sent to Charleston, and died in Fort 
Moultrie, where his grave is still shown. Many blamed Jesup's course, 
but he considered himself not bound to keep the rules of war with one 



SEVEN YEARS INDIAN WAR ENDED. O/I 

who was ignorant of them and never shrank from treachery. He 
deemed it better to close the war. Notwithstanding this severe blow, 
the Indians kept the field ; but in December, Colonel Zachary Taylor 
penetrated to the haunt of the Mickasuckies, and forced them to an 
action on the northern border of Macaco or Okeechobee Lake. 
These Indians, who had stubbornly refused all offers of pacification, 
were drawn up, under their chief Aviaka, in a strong position near 
the lake. Taylor, who, besides his regulars, had a corps of Missis- 
sippi volunteers under Colonel Gentry, immediately attacked their 
camp. The battle lasted over three hours, and so desperately did 
the Indians fight, that they routed the volunteers, who left their 
colonel dead on the field. Taylor rallied the regulars ; a part finally 
repulsed the Mickasuckies, but those Indians drew off unpursued. 
Taylor's loss was nearly a hundred and fifty killed and wounded, in- 
cludinsf several of his most valuable of^cers. 

This reverse broke the spirit of the Indians : many submitted, and 
were removed, so that in May, 1839, General Macomb induced the re- 
mainder to treat of peace. Yet again hostilities began, and Colonels 
Harney and Worth finally reduced them in 1841, by penetrating to 
their fastnesses, cutting down their crops, and sweeping off their cattle. 
Peace was finally secured in 1842, after a seven-years' war, which 
cost America iriany millions of dollars and the lives of thousands. 

In one point of view, this long and expensive war had been of 
actual service ; it proved an excellent school for our army, and grad- 
ually prepared ofificers for more important service. 

Previous to the closing ot this war, the United States was involved 
in a trouble of another character on its northern frontier. Canada, 
though its earlier privileges had provoked the Americans before the 



672 THE CAROLINE OUTRAGE, 

Revolution, was now itself discontented with the British Govern- 
ment. In 1837, the popular feeling rose so high that an insurrection 
broke out, and as any cry for liberty finds a ready response in Amer- 
ican bosoms, many persons in the United States, and especially in 
the State of New York, hastened to aid the cause of revolution by 
sympathy, and by contributions of men, arms, and mone\'. This 
sympathy became so general on the northern frontier, that Govern- 
ment was unable to repress it, and peace between the United States 
and Great Britain was in great jeopardy. This state of things con- 
tinued to the close of Van Buren's administration. 

Although the President by proclamation forbade all citizens of the 
United States to interfere, and ordered troops to the frontier, many 
continued to cross and take part in the struggle. Some of these 
were killed in the actions which took place with the British forces ; 
more were taken prisoners, tried, and, on conviction, either hung or 
transported to Van Diemen's Land. 

The English were exasperated at the conduct of the American 
sympathizers, and retaliated by a violation of American soil. A party 
of the insurgents on Navy Island, in Niagara River, kept up com- 
munication with the American shore by means of the steamer Caro- 
line. The English in vain endeavored to capture this little steamer 
during her trips to and from the island. Failing in this, they sent 
over a detachment to the American side, on the 20th of December, 
1837. The party cut the Caroline loose, after killing an American 
on the dock. They then towed the steamer out into the stream, set 
her on fire, and sent her over Niagara Falls with all on board of her, 
and she plunged down that cataract with her unfortunate crew. 
This outrage excited the public mind in the United States to the 



THE UMPIRE PLEASES NEITHER DISPUTANT. 673 

highest degree, but the infringement of our national rights was never 
disavowed by the Enghsh Government. 

The United States had in many ways shown an interest in the ad- 
vancement of science, and had given all the encouragement that the 
Constitution permitted to the General Government. Some of the 
States began to collect in Europe documents relating to the early 
history of the country, and at the same time caused accurate surveys 
to be made of their territory, under competent men, who studied the 
geology, mineralogy, zoology, and botany, as well as the geographi- 
• cal position. So admirably was this carried out, especially in New 
York, that no country can show a more noble monument than the 
Natural History of that State. 

The United States Government, to aid in this general movement, 
sent out in 1838 an exploring expedition under Captain Wilkes, 
which visited much of the Southern and Pacific Oceans, and after 
making several important discoveries returned. Wilkes' report was 
full of interest and value. 

The ill-feelinar which had been excited airainst Great Britain showed 
itself in Maine, in 1839. The treaty of i 783, which fixed the boundary 
between Maine and the adjacent English provinces, was based on in- 
correct maps, and when they attempted to run the line, difficulties 
arose, each side construing it so as to give them most territory. The 
King of the Belgians was appointed an umpire between the two parties, 
but his decision pleased neither of them. As the disputed tract was 
valued for its timber, the people of Maine attempted to drive off the 
New Brunswick lumbermen, and some on both sides were taken 
into custody as trespassers by the opposite Governments. Some ex- 
citement prevailed, but as the Governors of Maine and New Bruns- 



674 LOG CABINS — HARD CIDER TIPPECANOE. 

wick soon came to an understanding, further collisions were prevented, 
and the whole affair was left to higher authorities. 

Van Buren's administration had not met general approval. The 
people, oppressed by the results of the revulsion of 1837, clamored 
for a general bankrupt act. 

Van Buren was again nominated by the Democratic party, while the 
Whigs put up General William H. Harrison, with John Tyler for 
Vice-President. The election was the most exciting and enthusiastic 
ever yet seen in America. Log cabins were raised in all parts in honor 
of Harrison, and the campaign was carried by violent speeches and 
songs in favor of their candidate, and against the opposing one. 
President Van Buren was defeated by a large vote, receiving only 
sixty electoral votes, while his antagonist received no less than two 
hundred and thirty-four. William Henry Harrison became President, 
with John Tyler as Vice-President. 



CHAPTER X. 

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, NINTH PRESIDENT— 1841. 
JOHN TYLER, TENTH PRESIDENT— 1841-1845. 

Mr. Tyler vetoes the United States Bank — The Maine Boundary — Rhode Island Troubles — 
Patroon Troubles — Native American Party — The Mormons — Annexation of Texas. 

General William Henry Harrison, born in Charles County, 
Virginia, in February, i •]-]i, was the son of a signer of the Declaration 
of Independence. He entered the army at an early age. As Governor 
of Indiana Territory, he had won fame and distinction by his skillful 



DEATH OF PRESIDENT HARRISON. 675 

mana^^ement of public affairs, and by his ability as a military com- 
mander. Great expectations were entertained of reforms and changes, 
under his Presidency, as a new political party now came into power. 
To fulfill the wishes of the people, he issued a proclamation on the 
I 7th of March, calling an extra Session of Congress to meet in May. 
But his administration was destined to close suddenly. His health 
was broken, and the exertions attending his inauguration and the 
assumption of the duties of his arduous ofifice hurried him to the grave. 
Before he had accomplished any public act, he died after a short ill- 
ness on the 4th of April, 1841, at the age of sixty-eight, to the universal 
regret of the nation. The Cabinet formed by President Harrison 
consisted of the able and eloquent Daniel Webster as Secretary of 
State ; Thomas Ewing, Secretary of the Treasury ; John Bell, Secre- 
tary of War ; George Badger, Secretary of the Navy ; Francis Granger, 
Postmaster General, and John J. Crittenden, Attorney General. 

By the provisions of the Constitution of the United States, John 
Tyler, the Vice-President, now became President of the United 
States. Like his predecessor, he was a native of Virginia, in which he 
had always resided. Although not altogether in harmony with the 
views of the late President, Mr. Tyler retained the same Cabinet ; and 
when Congress met on the last day of May under the call of Presi- 
dent Harrison, his message recommended many of the projects already 
agreed upon by the party. The Sub-Treasury Act was repealed ; and 
a general bankrupt law passed with his approval. One of the great 
objects of the Whig party was to restore the United States Bank, 
which had been overthrown by Jackson. Accordingly, Congress 
passed an act to revive it ; but, to the great chagrin of those by whose 
votes he had been raised to the Presidency, President Tyler vetoed 



676 WEBSTER-ASHBURTON TREATY. 

the bill, seeing in it dangers to the country. For this he was warmly 
censured by his party, and all the members of his Cabinet except 
Mr. Webster resigned. He then appointed Walter Forward, Secre- 
tary of the Treasury ; John C. Spencer, Secretary of War ; Abel P. 
Upshur, Secretary of the Navy ; Charles A. Wickliffe, Postmaster 
General, and Hugh S. Legare, Attorney General. The last of these 
soon after died at Boston. 

The boundary between Maine and the British Provinces — the 
Aroostook dif^culty — still excited trouble. Negotiations were now in 
progress to solve the difficulty. Webster, as Secretary of State, con- 
ducted the discussion with Lord Ashburton, the English envoy, and 
in July, 1842, a treaty was signed at W^ashington, and soon after rat- 
ified by both countries, by which the line was fixed, and described 
with so much certainty as to remove all doubt as to its construction. 
This treaty also settled the northern limit of New York, New Hamp- 
shire, and Vermont, obviating all difficulty in that quarter. 

Rhode Island had, down to this time, been governed under the 
charter granted by Charles 1 1., the last relic of the reign of the Stuarts. 
This charter contained, however, great restrictions on the right of 
suffrage, and a large party in that little State had long sought a more 
liberal government. This the charter party refused, and, in conse- 
quence, a convention of the people assembled, which drew up a consti- 
tution, and submitted it to the people. As it received the approval 
of a majority of the voters, a new government was organized in May, 
1842, with Thomas W. Dorr as Governor. The charter government 
treated all these proceedings as illegal, and made the exercise of any 
powers under the new constitution treason against the State. The 
suffrage party then attempted to obtain control of the State by force 



THE STRUGGLE OF THE ANTI-RENTERS. 677 

but their efforts were defeated, and Dorr was compelled to leave the 
State. He soon after returned, thinking that the excitement had 
blown over ; but he was arrested, tried for treason, and, on his con- 
viction, sentenced to imprisonment for life. This was a strange re- 
sult for America to witness. Dorr was soon released, and this ended 
the struggle. The charter party had triumphed, but were forced to 
call a new and more regular convention in 1844, which drevv^ up a 
new constitution suited to the wants of the people. 

In New York, troubles occurred also between a party clinging to 
old colonial ideas, and a party of reform. In several parts of the 
State larije tracts were held under old Dutch crrants to a kind of 
lords of the manor, called Patroons, who leased them out to those 
who cultivated the land. These leases had many feudal obligations : 
rent was paid in produce; farmers had to send their grain to particu- 
lar mills ; and whenever a lease was transferred from one to another, 
a kind of tax was levied. 

All these conditions were so distasteful to Americans, that many 
of the tenants objected ; and forming a party called Anti-renters, 
they determined to resist the landlords, and any officer of the law 
who attempted to serve any legal process on them. This disturbance 
spread over most of Columbia, Rensselaer, and Delaware Counties, 
and for a time set the State authorities at defiance. A deputy sheriff 
and some others were killed in broad day, and many others brutally 
treated ; but the Government at last crushed the insurrection, and 
brouo'ht the murderers to trial. To avoid a renewal of the difficul- 
ties, most of the landlords abolished the obnoxious features of their 
leases, and made the rent payable in money. 

A new political party appeared about this time, called the Native 



6/8 NATIVE AMERICAN PARTY MORMONS. 

American party, formed to check the rapid increase and power of the 
foreign element and the CathoHc religion. It acquired considerable 
strength in all the large cities of the North and East, where foreign 
labor competed with native. Much was done to inflame the public 
mind to a dangerous pitch, and serious riots broke out in Philadel- 
phia, in May, 1844, '■'' which many lives were lost, and many churches 
and institutions burned and destroyed, the authorities showing great 
inefficiency. When, however, the riots were renewed in July, the 
State Government acted vigorously, and suppressed it at once, with 
the help of militia drawn from adjacent counties. 

The West, too, had its troubles. About the year 1830, a man 
named Joseph Smith, living at Palmyra, in the western part of the 
State of New York, pretended to have received a new revelation from 
God, written in mystical characters on a series of plates which he 
claimed to be pure gold. He pretended to decipher these characters, 
and published the rhapsody under the name of the Book of Mor- 
mon. Assuming to be a prophet, he founded i new religion ; but as 
Jiis character became known, he was driven from place to place ; but 
everywhere managed to gain some proselytes. He and his followers 
at last settled in Kirtland, Ohio ; but as the hostility to them was re- 
newed, the Mormons, now numbering several thousands, set out for 
the West, and settled in Jackson County, Missouri. The people in 
that part of the country rose in arms against them, and the Governor 
ordered their expulsion. The State militia was called out, and in the 
excitement they attacked the Mormons, killed many, and forced the 
rest to leave the State. The fugitives now attracted the sympathy of 
many who regarded them as deluded, but as most unjustly treated. 
Settling in Illinois, in 1831, they founded the city of Nauvoo, where. 



THE MORMONS DRIVEN FROM ILLINOIS. 679 

on the banks of the Mississippi they laid the foundations of an im- 
mense temple. Here they were at first welcomed by the people, and 
Smith, sending missionaries through the country, and even to Eu- 
rope, saw his believers increase with wonderful rapidity. He ob- 
tained from the Illinois Legislature a favorable charter for his cit\' ; 
but, in a short time, the public mind in Illinois became strongly ex- 
cited against the Mormons, who were accused of very heinous crimes. 
The country rose in arms. Nauvoo was besieged, and several were 
killed on both sides. A charo-e of murder was then broueht aeainst 
Joseph Smith, and that leader, an.xious to disarm the public hostility 
ag-ainst him, surrendered to the authorities to underfjo a lecral trial. 
But the mob were unwilling to trust to the law ; they surrounded the 
place where Joseph Smith and his brother Hiram were confined, and, 
bursting in, murdered them with great brutality. The troubles were 
kept up : the Mormons, so far from being disheartened by the death 
of their prophet, looked up to Brigham Young as their head, and 
stood their ground. Yielding at last to the storm, they resolved to 
emigrate to a part of the country where they would be far from all 
neighbors, and set out in a body for a long journey over the Plains, 
with all their cattle and property, to the interior of California. 

All these thinijs showed that changes were comingf over the Ameri- 
can people, who had long been so quiet and tolerant with each other. 
Public excitements were increasing, and people were more easily led 
to acts of violence. 

As yet, however, this spirit of turbulence had not gained sufficient 
strength to check the general prosperity of the country. The con- 
tinued tide of emigration enabled the Territories to fill up rapidly ; 
and in March, 1845, an act of Congress was passed admitting two 



68o TEXAS ADMITTED — OREGON BOUNDARY. 

new States, one in the North, Iowa, the other in the South, 
Florida. 

Just previous to this, Texas, having come to an understanding with 
the United States, ceased to be an independent republic. Resolutions 
were adopted by the Congress of the United States for its annexa- 
tion. After the battle of San Jacinto, Te.xas had maintained its inde- 
pendence, but, owing to many difficulties, was not in a state of pros- 
perity. The Mexican Government had never relinquished the hope 
of again reconquering Texas, and as soon as the act of annexation to 
the United States was accomplished, Almonte, the Mexican Minister, 
protested, but, the resolution of the United States Congress having 
been ratified by Texas on the 5th of July, Texas, with undefined 
limits, came into the Union as a State. The question of slavery- 
arose in regard to it, and b)' a compromise it was agreed that Con- 
gress should have the power to form the territor\- into four States, 
and that, on such division, all north of 36° 30' should be free States, 
while slavery might exist south of that line. 

While the public mind was occupied with the now imminent war 
with Mexico, and with troubles in regard to the Oregon boundary 
with Great Britain, a new election took place. Henry Clay, the can- 
didate of the Whig party, who was in favor of negotiation, was de- 
feated, and James K. Polk, of Tennessee, was elected President, and 
George M. Dallas, of Pennsylvania, Vice-President. 



CHAPTER XI. 

JAMES K. POLK, ELEVENTH PRESIDENT— 1845-1849. 

The Mexican War — Battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma — Battle of Monterey — Con- 
quest of California and New Mexico — Santa Anna — Scott at Vera Cruz — Battle of Buena 
Vista— Capture of Vera Cruz — Battle of Cerro Gordo— -Puebla taken — Contreras and Chu- 
rubusco — Battle of Chapultepec — Mexico taken — Last Struggles of the Mexicans — Peace of 
Guadalupe Hidalgo— Close of Polk's Administration. 

We have not in our .sketch of the history had occasion to mention 
James K. Polk, who was now raised to the Presidency. The great 
men of the rival parties e.xcited too much jealousy to be safely put 
forward as candidates, and hence, men who were little known were 
sometimes nominated. James K. Polk, born in North Carolina 
in 1796, had from childhood resided in Tennessee, and had served in 
the Legislature of that State and in Congress for many years. 

Mr. Polk, on the day of his inauguration, appointed as his Cabinet, 
James Buchanan, Secretary of State ; Robert J. Walker, Secretary of 
the Treasury ; William L. Marcy, Secretary of War; George Bancroft, 
the historian, Secretary of the Navy ; Cave Johnson, Postmaster Gen- 
eral ; and John Y. Mason, Attorney General. The subject requiring 
immediate action was the position of our affairs with Mexico. The 
late President had already prepared for any emergency. When Texas, 
in July, 1845, ratifying the resolution, became a State in the Union, 
General Zachary Taylor entered it with an army of occupation, num- 
bering fifteen hundred men. The frontier between Texas and the 
adjoining Mexican States had never been settled. The Texans claimed 

to the Rio Grande, while, in fact, they had no settlements, and were 

681 



682 FIRST BLOODSHED IN THE MEXICAN WAR. 

never able to exercise any authority beyond the Nueces. The United 
States and Mexico might easily have adjusted a boundary, but Mexico 
felt aggrieved and refused to treat, and the United States were eager 
for war. Herrera, President of Mexico, was indeed anxious to avoid 
hostilities, but he was forced to retire, and Paredes, a war candidate, 
became President. In September, General Taylor encamped at 
Corpus Christi, between the Nueces and the Rio Grande. His instruc- 
tions were " that the appearance of any considerable body of Mexican 
troops in this territory would be regarded by the executive as an in- 
vasion of the United States and the commencement of hostilities," 
although it had always been held by Mexican and never by Texan 
troops. In January, 1846, Taylor was ordered to advance to the Rio 
Grande. After encamping and leaving his stores at Point Isabel on the 
25th of March, he moved to the mouth of the Rio Grande, and be- 
gan to erect Fort Brown, opposite the Mexican city of Matamoras. 
The Mexican settlers f^ed across the Rio Grande, and General 
Ampudia arrived at Matamoras with a large force to drive the Amer- 
icans beyond the Nueces. He at once summoned Taylor to withdraw 
within twenty-four hours ; but, before he could commence operations, 
was succeeded by General Arista. That commander at once sent a 
party of dragoons across the river. Taylor detached Thornton with 
sixty dragoons to reconnoitre, but they were nearly all killed or taken 
on the 24th of April by the Mexicans under Torrejon. This was the 
first bloodshed in the war. The Mexicans then crossed in force, and 
gained Taylor's rear, menacing Point Isabel. Having completed his 
fort, Taylor marched on the ist of May to the relief of that post. No 
sooner was he lost in the distance, than Arista began a bombardment 
of Fort Brown, while he himself, with a considerable force, crossed the 



TAYLOR IN POSSESSION OF THE FIELD. 683 

river to assail it in the rear. The orarrison made avicrorous defense, 
and silenced the Mexican batteries ; but when siege cannon were 
planted in the rear, and Major Brown, the commander, was mortally 
wounded, signals were sent up for relief. Taylor at once marched 
from Point Lsabel, and on the 8th of May, at noon, came up with Arista 
who had taken post at Palo Alto. Taylor drew up his little army, and 
opened with his artillery. A fierce cannonade followed, the Mexicans 
replying with spirit. Then their cavalry, in splendid style, swept down 
on the American right. Taylor's troops received th-em without flinch- 
ing, and the artillery and infantry drove them back. But this was all. 
The Mexican line was unbroken by our cannonade and musketry. 
Arista, massing his batteries, endeavored to silence the American 
guns, and, by a perfect tempest of balls, for a time checked our fire, 
cutting down Major Ringgold and Captain Page at their guns. Again 
and again his splendid cavalry swept down in the vain endeavor to 
break the American lines. At last, despairing of the attempt. Arista 
drew off his whole force, leaving Taylor in possession of the field. In 
this first battle of the war, which lasted five hours, Taylor lost about 
fifty in killed and wounded. Arista six times as many. 

Early the next morning, Taylor resumed the march for Fort Brown. 
At Resaca de la Palma he came upon Arista's army, well posted and 
drawn up to receive him. Here the second battle was fought. The 
Mexicans again endeavored to silence the American guns with their 
well-handled artillery ; but the American dragoons, under May, drove 
the Mexican gunners from their pieces, and the American infantry, 
by a bayonet charge, carried their best battery. Taylor's main bod)', 
almost at the same instant, forced Arista's center from the ravine, 
which they held. An irregular combat ensued, but the Americans 



684 A VIGOROUS PLAN OF CAMPAIGN, 

pushed steadily forward, and drove the Mexicans from their intrench- 
ments, capturing all their camp equipage. General La Vega and a 
hundred men were made prisoners; eight cannons, three stand of 
colors, and a quantity of military stores were captured. The Mexi- 
can army was completely broken up, and Arista fled in disorder to 
Matamoras. 

After this signal victory, Taylor pressed on to Fort Brown, and 
relieved that post from its long bombardment. Then, in concert 
with Commodore Connor, he took Barita, at the mouth of the Rio 
Grande, and prepared to attack Matamoras ; but that city surren- 
dered on the 1 8th of May. 

Before these operations were known in Washington, Polk had sent 
a violent message to Congress, announcino- that American blood had 
been shed on American soil, and that war existed by the act of Mex- 
ico. Congress immediately acted on this message, and on the 13th 
of May passed an act authorizing the President to raise fifty thousand 
volunteers, and appropriating ten millions of dollars to carry on the 
war. As the motive of the war was conquest, and not the possession 
of the disputed strip, a plan of campaign was formed for attacking 
Mexico in various parts, and occupying her most valuable frontier 
States. A fleet bearing an army was to sweep around South Amer- 
ica, to take possession of California, a State already explored by 
Fremont and other American officers, and known to contain great 
mineral wealth ; an "Army of the West" was to assemble at Fort 
Leavenworth, march to Santa Fe, take possession of New Mexico, 
and invade the State of Coahuila ; while an " Army of the Center" 
was to operate from Texas upon the heart of Mexico. Immediate 
steps w-ere taken to organize these armies and carry on the war. 



GENERAL WORTH ENTERS MONTEREY. 685 

On her side, Mexico formally declared war on the 23rd of May, 
and nerved herself for a deadly struggle with her powerful sister re- 
public, whose resources seemed inexhaustible. General Taylor in the 
mean time received reinforcements, chiefly of the newly raised volun- 
teers, and, finding himself in September at the head of six thousand 
men, resolved to advance upon Monterey, an important place in 
Northern Mexico, the route to which had been opened by General 
Worth with the first division. On the 19th of September, the whole 
American army encamped within three miles of Monterey, which was 
held by General Ampudia with an army of nine thousand men. Al- 
though a strongly fortified town in a position protected by great 
natural defenses, Taylor prepared to attack it. Cutting off Ampudia's 
supplies by the Saltillo road, he began the siege on the 21st. An old 
palace of the bishops, now a strong work, was the chief fortification. 
General Worth was dispatched to turn this, and attack the heights in 
the rear. To cover his attack, Lieutenant-Colonel Garland, with 
another division, attacked the lower town ; Butler and Quitman, with 
a third division, carried the enemy's advanced battery, and secured a 
position in the town. Meanwhile General Worth had encountered 
the enemy in force, repulsed him with heavy loss, and carried two of 
the heights. The next day Worth carried the palace itself, and en- 
tered the town, while Quitman, in spite of all the efforts of the enemy 
to dislodge him, fought his way in from house to house, and reached 
the plaza or great public square found in all Spanish cities. 

Ampudia then drew in his troops for a last struggle, but finding 
resistance hopeless after the dreadful carnage, he offered to capitu- 
late, and on the 24th surrendered the city, marching out with all his 
troops. In this sanguinary battle both regulars and volunteers dis- 



686 THE AMERICAN FLAG IN CALIFORNIA. 

played the greatest skill and courage. The American loss was one 
hundred and twenty killed, and three hundred and sixty-eight 
wounded, while that of the enemy was at least a thousand. 

General Taylor placed Worth in command of Monterey, and en- 
camped himself at Walnut Springs, three miles distant. 

Another change was now to take place in Mexican affairs, which 
seemed at first to promise the Americans a satisfactory solution of the 
war question, but which proved a delusion. The Mexican Govern- 
ment had tiius far been in the hands of Paredes, an advocate of war. 
General Santa Anna, then in Cuba, professed a desire for peace, so 
that the administration at Washimjton came to an understandino- with 
him, and enabled him to pass through the fleet then lying before 
Vera Cruz. No sooner, however, was that able man in his own coun- 
try, than he threw himself into the hands of the war party, assumed 
the direction of affairs, and prepared to carry on the war with vigor. 
This compelled the United States to adopt another series of plans. 

The other operations of this campaign had meanwhile succeeded, 
though not as intended. When Texas was annexed, Commodore 
Sloat was off the coast of California. Believing that war actually 
existed, he took Monterey, August 7, 1846. San Francisco soon 
followed its fate ; and the best port on the Pacific fell into the hands 
of the Americans to begin a new career. Colonel Fremont, who had 
explored the passes of the mountains, was also in California with a 
small force, and he raised the American flag at San Juan. The 
Mexican authorities did not yield without a blow. 

Meanwhile, General Kearney, in command of the Army of the 
West, had marched across the Western plains and through the moun- 
tain passes, a distance of nine hundred miles, from Fort Leaven- 



CITY AND PRUVINXE OF CHIHUAHUA TAKEN. 687 

worth to Santa Fe, following the well-known track of the traders. 
The Mexicans had anticipated no attack. Kearney met with no re- 
sistance : he took possession of the country, and, having made Charles 
Bent governor, continued his march toward California, which he 
was also instructed to reduce. On the way he was met by a courier 
from Commodore Stockton and Colonel Fremont, informing him that 
California was already in the hands of the United States. Sending 
back his main army, he marched on with a hundred men, and with 
Stockton and Fremont completed the subjugation of the province. 
Fremont had been proclaimed governor, but Kearney proceeded to 
Monterey, and there assumed the office of governor, and proclaimed 
that California was annexed to the United States. 

Before proceeding to California, General Kearney had detached 
Colonel Doniphan against the Navajo Indians. He compelled that 
tribe to make peace, and then marched toward Chihuahua to join 
General Wool. On the 2 2d of December he encountered a Mexican 
force at Bracitos, whom he dispersed, and, pushing on through the 
hostile country, on the last day of February found the Sacramento 
Pass, eighteen miles from Chihuahua, held by four thousand Mexicans, 
under General Trias. Aftei a short but decisive struggle, in which 
the Mexicans were completely routed, Doniphan pushed on, and on 
the 2d of March took possession of that large city, and the province 
of the same name. After eiving his soldiers a short rest here after 
their march of many thousand miles, he advanced to Saltillo, where 
General Wool was encamped. 

The authority of the United States in these conquered parts was 
firmly established, and, though some outbreaks occurred, the Mex- 
icans were never able to regain possession of any part. 



688 GENERAL SCOTT BEFORE SANTA CRUZ. 

But the war was not yet ended. Though the Mexicans had 
been defeated in the field, and many of their provinces occupied, 
their spirit was unbrolcen, and the Americans found that they must 
strike at the capital, if they wished to conquer a peace. 

There, Santa Anna, after outwitting them, was now preparing all 
the resources of the republic for the ultimate struggle of the war. 

The Government of the United States now formed a new plan of 
operations, the first step in which was to attack and occupy Vera Cruz, 
the chief Mexican port on the Gulf, and from that point move upon 
Mexico itself. The plan was arduous and surrounded with difificulties. 
Vera Cruz was defended by the strong fortress of San Juan de Ulua, 
which had defied the French arms. The road from that port to 
Mexico was a gradual ascent, abounding in narrow mountain-passes, ^ 
where a small force could hold an army at bay. 

Preparations were, however, made to carry out this plan of cam- 
paign. General Scott was directed to raise a new army, drawing 
such forces as he could safely from General Taylor. This army he 
was to lead in person. After making all necessary arrangements 
at Washington, he proceeded to Texas late in the year, to form his 
troops for service as they arrived. In March, 1847, ^""^ concentrated 
all his troops at Lobos Island, about a hundred and twenty-five 
miles north of Vera Cruz, and on the 7th embarked from that point 
for Vera Cruz, on a squadron commanded by Commodore Connor. 
Two days later he appeared before that city with an army of thirteen 
thousand men. 

Santa Anna, who felt that he could depend on a vigorous if not suc- 
cessful resistance to the Americans, when they should appear before 
\'era Cruz, had resolved to act with vigor against Taylor, whose army 



SANTA ANNA ATTACKS GENERAL TAVLOK. 6S9 

was much weakened. By unparalleled exertions he assembled an 
army of twenty-two thousand men, and at the opening of the year lay 
with these at San Luis Potosi, waiting his opportunity to strike an 
effective blow. At last he resolved to hurl his whole force on Taylor 
and crush him, before he marched to check Scott's advance. 

In February, Taylor, with gloomy forebodings, heard of Santa 
Anna's approach, and, calling in his various divisions, effected a junc- 
tion with Wool at Agua Nueva. Then he fell back to a position of 
remarkable strength near Buena Vista, eleven miles from Saltillo, 
and there drew up his force, about six thousand strong, with his left 
on a high mountain, and his right and front so covered by a series 
of ravines as to be impracticable even for infantry. 

Santa Anna, who believed the American general to be flying be- 
fore him, pushed on with his whole force, well equipped, but suffer- 
ing sadly for want of provisions. About noon on the 22d of Feb- 
ruary, Santa Anna was within two miles of the American lines, and, 
assuring Taylor that he was surrounded so that escape was impossi- 
ble, called on him to surrender. 

A stern refusal showed Santa Anna that he must attack the Ameri- 
can general in his strong position. Skirmishing began that day. 
Santa Anna, finding the American left the only feasible jDoint, de- 
tached General Ampudia with light troops to occupy the mountain. 
These were attacked by the American left, under Colonel Marshall, 
and an active skirmishing was kept up till night closed on the scene. 
At the same time a detachment of Mexican cavalry, under General 
Minon, was operating against General Taylor's rear. In the morn- 
ing, Santa Anna again attacked Taylors extreme left, and then threw 
himself on the centre. Repulsed here, he accumulated his forces, 



690 TERRIBLE AMERICAN ARTILLERY CHECKED THE ADVANCE. 

under Generals Lombardini and Pacheco, to force the left, then held 
by Lane. The charge was a terrible one. In vain O'Brien's artillery 
hurled its shot and shell into the advancing :orps of Mexicans. It 
swept steadily on. An Indiana regiment fled in confusion : the left 
wing gave way. General Wool, in command in front, called in the 
light troops on the mountain, and drew in his left. Santa Anna en- 
deavored to follow up his advantage ; but Taylor, hurrying up from 
the rear, threw fresh troops on the left. The battle was renewed 
with fury. Again and again Santa Anna swept down with foot and 
horse to break the line, but always with increasing loss. One of his 
detachments, reaching the American rear, attacked the trains and 
baggage at Buena Vista, but were checked and cut off from their 
main body by Colonels Marshall and Yell. 

Then Santa Anna, calling on his left and all his reserves, led the 
last attack in person, sustained by Generals Perez and Pacheco. 
Again the well-handled batteries of O'Brien and Bragg poured death 
into the advancing columns ; but Santa Anna pushed on, and made 
a fearful charge. The level portion between the ravines became 
the scene of furious encounter, of alternate attack and defense. The 
American troops fought with desperate courage, conscious that re- 
treat was impossible — that they must conquer or perish. However, 
the Kentucky and Illinois regiments, after losing Colonels Clay, 
Hardin of 'the First Illinois, and McKee, were driven back. 

Once more Santa Anna endeavored to follow up the slight advan- 
tage gained so dearly, but the terrible American artillery and the 
difficulties of the ground checked him. He finally drew back ; and 
when night closed over the fearful day's battle, the two armies lay 
as they had at daybreak. 



GLORIOUS VICTORY AT BUENA VISTA. 69 1 

In the morning General Taylor prepared to renew the battle, but 
he soon found that the work was done. The Mexicans had retreated 
during the night, leaving their dead and wounded on the field. Such 
was the eventful battle of Buena Vista, in which an American army 
of five thousand men sustained for a whole day the repeated attacks 
of an army four times its number. Taylor's loss was about three 
hundred killed, and five hundred wounded, while Santa Anna's loss 
was estimated at two thousand. 

This glorious victory confirmed the American supremacy, and over- 
threw the Mexican power in that portion of the country. General 
Taylor centered his army at Monterey, and soon after returned to the 
United States in consequence of difficulties with the War Department. 
General Wool then assumed command of the army at Monterey. 

Taylor's campaign had been most creditable to him as a com- 
mander. There was nothing to dim the lustre of his army but occa- 
sional lawless acts by some of the volunteers, among whom it was not 
easy to enforce strict discipline. 

His campaign from Palo Alto to Buena Vista had been a school 
where many officers were trained, who at a later day fought against 
<;ach other in the terrible civil war. Here Mansfield distinguished 
himself as an engineer ; Bragg, with his artillery ; Halleck, Lowe, 
Wallace, Richardson, and many others, in both the regular and volun- 
teer service. 

The victory at Buena Vista closed the campaign of General Taylor 
in that part of Mexico. He had not an army large enough to ad- 
vance, and he had already effected more than had been expected. 
He was, however, too brave a man and too able a general to remain 
idle when there was real service to be done. His victories made him 
^■vtremely popular, and at last raised him to the presidential chair. 



692 GENERAL SCOTT OCCUPIES VERA CRUZ. 

Scott meanwhile was investing Vera Cruz and its renowned for- 
tress. He summoned the city to surrender, and on its refusal pre- 
pared to bombard it. The fleet took up a position to give the most 
efficient aid, and batteries were planted on land in the best positions 
the engineers could reach. On the 22nd, the bombardment of the 
fortress and the city began. The destruction in Vera Cruz was fear- 
ful, as nearly seven thousand shot and shell were hurled into the de- 
voted city. The loss of life among the citizens, their wives and 
children, was terrible, one of the sad barbarities of modern Avarfare. 
The Mexican commander, General Landero, asked for a truce to 
allow non-combatants and neutrals to withdraw ; but Scott would not 
consent, and the fearful bombardment went on till the 26th, when 
Landero made proposals for a capitulation. Three days after the 
garrison of five thousand men marched out and laid down their arms, 
giving their parole i">ot to serve in the war until exchanged. 

General Scott immediately occupied the cit)- of Vera Cruz and the 
castle of San Juan de Ulua, with two smaller forts, Santiago and 
Concepcion, five hundred pieces of artillery falling into his hands. 

This capture was effected with very slight loss, the Americans not 
losinsf in all a hundred men, while the Mexicans are said to have had 
nearly a thousand killed, and many more wounded. The reverse was 
unexpected, and gave a terrible blow to the plans of Santa Anna, as 
it was his strongest post, and was full of artillery and supplies. 

He saw that his action must be prompt and vigorous. His bloody 
repulse at Buena Vista had taught him that he was engaged with an 
enemy most difficult to cope with. But he must now meet a victori- 
ous army with comparatively raw troops. Gathering what forces he 
could at the instant, he marched to check Scott's advance. It was 



THE CONTEST AT CERRO GORDO PASS. 693 

time. Scott had lost no time in landlnor wao-ons and other necessaries 
for transportation. On the 8th of April, Twiggs's division moved 
forward to the interior, like Cortez of old. Santa Anna was approach- 
ing rapidly with his new army. Near the coast the territory of 
Mexico is low, flat, and unhealthy. This is the Tierra Caliente ; then 
it begins to rise gradually till in the interior it spreads out in one vast 
table-land. When General Twig-Sfs reached the little villasfe of Plen 
del Rio, on the limit of the Tierra Caliente, he found himself con- 
fronted by the Me.xican army under Santa Anna, drawn up in a very 
strong position at the pass of Cerro Gordo, and numbering nearly 
twelve thousand men, with artillerj' well planted. Before Twiggs 
could attack, General Scott came up with the main body, making his 
force in the fielci about eight thousand five hundred men. 

Early on the i 7th, Twiggs began to cut a road through the brush- 
wood, to reach Cerro Gordo without being exposed to a heavy Mexi- 
can battery between that point and the American camp. Here the 
battle began. Santa Anna hurried up to cheer on his men ; but the 
Americans, under Colonel Childs, drove him back, and occupied the 
heights of Atalaya. The next day the American troops, under Gen- 
eral Harney and Colonel Riley, from this point stormed the heights 
of Cerro Gordo on different sides, and killing the Mexican com- 
mander. General Vasquez, drove his force from the hill with terrible 
loss. The victorious troops now found themselves within range of 
another Mexican battery, and Colonel Riley, with General -Shields, 
were detached to take it. Shields fell severely wounded, but Baker 
gallantly led on his men and drove the Mexicans from their guns. 

All was now confusion. Santa Anna in vain endeavored to rally 
his men to check the progress of the Americans. H is army was totally 



694 GENERAL SCOTT CROSSES THE CORDILLERAS. 

routed. The heavy Mexican battery nearest the American camp had 
gallantly repulsed an assault led by General Pillow ; but seeing Santa 
Anna routed, they hoisted a white flag, and surrendered, to the num- 
ber of three thousand men. Scott's loss was si.xty-three killed and 
three hundred and sixty-seven wounded, while Santa Anna lost a thou- 
sand killed and wounded, and three times as many remained as pris- 
oners of war in the hands of the American general. Santa Anna 
himself with difficulty escaped from the field. Scott, having thus 
gained the Eastern Cordilleras, pushed on to Jalapa, and having occu- 
pied the strong castles of La Hoya and Perote, advanced upon the 
important city Puebla de los Angeles. Perote was the strongest 
fortress in Mexico after San Juan de Ulua, but it surrendered with- 
out firino- a cfun, and no resistance was made at the strono;lv fortified 
city of Puebla, with its population of eighty thousand people. PI ere 
General Scott was compelled to halt in his career of victory. Three 
thousand of his volunteers had served the time for which they had en- 
listed, and now withdrew, leaving him with too small a force to con- 
tinue his progress. This was all the-more unfortunate, as it gave the 
brave and capable Santa Anna time to recover from his series of de- 
feats, and organize new jilans for the defense of the menaced capital, 
as well as to gather and drill the army to carry out his designs. 

It w-as not till August that Scott, havincr been reinforced, so that he 
had again an army of ten thousand men, resumed his march. They 
had now left the unhealthy Tierra Caliente. The American soldiers 
found their line of march traversing a beautiful, well-watered country, 
with a fine climate. Before them rose the great Cordilleras, and as- 
cending these, they looked down into the beautiful valley where 
Mexico lav amid its lakes. 



CONTRERAS ASSAULTED AND TAKEN. 695 

When Scott reached the city of Mexico the Government of the 
United States had in vain endeavored to open negotiations. The 
Mexicans sternly refused every proposal of peace. Indeed, those in 
autliority durst not entertain for a moment any proposition. Santa 
Anna had raised an army of twenty-five thousand men, with which 
he held all the strong positions around the city, and stood ready to 
check the American advance. General Scott, avoiding the rec'ular 
causeways leading to the city, as they were all protected by fortresses, 
pushed on to San Augustin. Here the Mexicans had made little prep- 
aration, for at this point began the Pedregal, a broken field of lava, 
the remains of some extinct volcano. This rough and sterile lava- 
bed was deemed impassable by troops, and no attempt was made to 
defend it, though General Valencia lay beyond it with a force of 
six thousand men. Undeterred by the nature of the ground. General 
Persifer F. Smith pushed on across the Pedregal with his own bri- 
gade and those commanded by Riley and Cadwallader. Shields 
pressed on steadily behind him. At San Hieronymo, Smith came up 
with Santa Anna, but the Mexican general fell back ; and at three 
o'clock in the morning, in the pitchy darkness, Riley advanced to as- 
sault the Mexican works at Contreras. He soon carried them, and 
was in possession of the enemy's camp. Smith's brigade had been 
attacked by Torrejon's cavalry, but the Mexican lancers with all their 
horsemanship and prowess could not stand before Smith's brigade, 
which utterly routed them. Cadwallader, Shields, and Pierce, who 
had been engaged holding in check Santa Anna's reserves, now 
hemmed in the fugitives and cut them down. 

The Mexicans were utterly defeated. Although the Americans as- 
sailed strong works, their loss was comparatively small, not exceeding 



696 HOT PURSUIT TO THE GATES OF MEXICO. 

a hundred in all, while fifteen hundred Mexicans lay dead and wounded 
on the field of Contreras, and a thousand more were prisoners, with 
cannon, muskets, and stores. To the delight of the whole army 
O'Brien's guns, so gallantly lost at Bucna Vista, were here recovered. 

Having gained the position at Contreras, one great step was ac- 
complished ; but Churubusco was the key to the city,'and the assault 
upon it was a much more serious affair. 

Santa Anna had posted himself, with an army of thirty thousand 
men, in a strong position. An old church and convent had been made 
part of his defenses, and strong fortifications covered the bridge by 
which the Americans could best advance to the assault. Undismayed 
by the numbers of the enemy or the strength of their works, the 
American army came on in three divisions. Worth led the right to 
attack the Mexican post covering the bridge, and drove them to the 
fortifications, which opened on him. At these he led on his men. 
Twiggs and Pillow rushed on with their gallant fellows to storm the 
convent ; while Sliields, with the left, swept around to attack the 
enemy's reserve in the rear. The struggle was desperate : the Mexi- 
can fire of artillery and musketry swept through the small American 
line, and it was again and again driven back from the convent and 
fortifi'cations ; but stubborn valor prevailed : both points were carried. 
Shields and Pierce found the reserves intrenched, and they repeat- 
edly charged amid a murderous fire without success. They could 
neither carry the works nor demoralize the Mexicans ; but a loud 
American hurra rose above the din of battle. Worth, after carrying 
the works before him, was sweeping down to take the Mexican re- 
serve in flank. Then the enemy gave way, and the American com- 
manders pushed on in hot pursuit to the very gates of the capital. 



CHAPULTEPEC AND MOLINO DEL REY. 697 

Santa Anna had lost the battle of Churubusco, and his great army 
was shattered ; ten thousand men lay dead or wounded, or were grim 
prisoners in the hands of General Scott. It had not been a blood- 
less victory to that general. Of his army, less than ten thousand in 
all, one thousand fell dead or wounded at Churubusco, with nearh- a 
hundred officers. 

The city of Mexico was now really at the mercy of General Scott, 
as Santa Anna could not have prevented his marching in and taking 
possession ; but the Mexican commander resolved to make one more 
effort. To gain time to rally his forces, he opened negotiations. 
Scott fell into the snare, and, satisfied with what he had achieved, 
agreed to an armistice. He was soon, however, convinced of his 
mistake ; and finding that Santa Anna was insincere, and was merely 
amusing him to gain time, he resolved to attack the city before all 
the fruit of the victories at Contreras and Churubusco was lost. 

But the conquest that might have been bloodless, was now to be pur- 
chased at a heavy cost of life. The Mexicans had been fortifying their 
position, and again breathed defiance. The point to be attacked by 
General Scott in order to gain the city, was the fortress of Chapulte- 
pec, and the defenses at its base. These consisted of a stone work 
called Molino del Rey, or the King's Mill, and the arsenal. Both were 
filled with troops, and the interval between them was occupied by a 
large force of infantry with artillery. Here Santa Anna himself, with 
Generals Valdarez and Leon, awaited the American attack. General 
Worth was ordered to lead the assault. Early on the morning of the 
8th of September his corps advanced by starlight. On the right a 
storming party under Wright attacked the Molino, but were driven 
back by the volleys of the Mexicans with terrible loss. Smith and 



698 THE FROWNING FORTRESS OF CHAPULTEPEC. 

Cadwallader, however, hastened up, and Garland burst on their flank. 
These commanders at last drove the enemy from their strong position. 

At the arsenal, on the left, the fight was of the fiercest description. 
Here Mcintosh led his brigade up gallantly to the assault, but he soon 
fell wounded ; the next in command was killed, and finally the whole 
brigade was driven back by the tremendous fire of the Mexicans. 
As they recoiled from this almost impregnable position shattered and 
decimated, the Mexican General Alvarez, with his cavalry, came 
rushing down upon them ; but Sumner's dragoons and Duncan's 
battery met this charge, and at last drove Alvarez from the field. 

Duncan then opened on the arsenal, and by his steady and well- 
directed fire dislodged the enemy from that position, which was imme- 
diately occupied by our troops. So far, General Worth had carried the 
last bulwark. He had accomplished the task assigned to him, but it 
had been at fearful loss : of the brave men who went into tliat fight, 
eight hundred, including fifty-eight officers, lay dead or dying, reducing 
Scott's force to about three thousand men. Santa Anna, who had lost 
two of his best generals, and nearly two thousand men, fell back, and 
gathered the remainder of his troops on the southern front of the city. 

Worth after this action dismantled the Mexican works and re- 
sumed his original position. 

Chapultepec, a grim old fortress, towering high above them, re- 
mained to be taken by Scott before the final storming of Mexico, the 
capital. Its frowning heights, with the fortress, and military academy, 
held by men now nerved with desperation, told that its rocky sides 
would run with blood before the Stars and Stripes were planted on 
the summit. 

General Scott in a council planned the assault. He erected four 



IN THE HUMBLED MEXICAN CAPITAL. 699 

heavy batteries to bear upon the fortress, and on the 12th of Septem- 
ber began a heavy cannonade and bombardment. The next day 
Twicffs moved around to make a feiafned attack on the south ; while 
two columns one led by General Quitman, the other by General Pil- 
lovi^, moved forward by different roads to attack Chapultepec. The 
Mexicans held the foot of the hill with artillery, but the American 
artillery soon silenced the Mexican cannon and drove the men from 
the ofuns. Then came the rush, of the Americans. With a cheer the 
redoubt of the slope was taken, and the Mexican detachment driven 
up the hill. Up in pursuit charged the Americans. Pillow fell 
wounded before he reached the top, but the men pressed on. The 
fortress walls are reached. Some plant ladders, others batter in the 
gates. They swarm over the walls and through. Chapultepec is en- 
tered. But all is not won. The Mexicans made a desperate fight, 
although they were cut down on all sides. At' last, seeing no hope 
left, they begged for quarter and surrendered. 

General Scott soon reached the spot to look down on the humbled 
capital. Now resolved to lose no advantage, he orders Worth with his 
fresh men to attack the San Cosme gate, and Quitman that of Belen. 
The high causeways leading to these gates were defended by barri- 
cades well manned and commanded ; but both American generals car- 
ried them at a charge and reached the gates. Quitman actually en- 
tered the city ; but Worth met greater opposition, as Santa Anna 
tlirew troops into the houses, and for a time checked Worth's advance ; 
but, breaking through from house to house, hoisting cannon to the 
house-tops, he fought his way in. 

When night closed the two American commanders had effected a 
lodgment in the city. 



700 SCOTT IN THE CITY OF THE MONTEZUMAS. 

Utterly broken and disheartened, Santa Anna fled from Mexico 
tliat night with the remnant of his force. 

The next morning a deputation came to propose a capitulation. 

General Scott refused to listen to any proposals. He had taken the 
city, and it was too late to talk about its surrender. Although there 
was no force of regulars to oppose him, some convicts, escaping from 
prison, began to fire on the Americans. These were soon routed, and 
Scott entered the ancient city of Montezuma, with his gallant and vic- 
torious army grimy and warworn with a long campaign, and reduced 
in the last desperate battles by the loss of more than fifteen hundred 
men. 

Having established his headquarters, General Scott proclaimed mar- 
tial law, and established a firm discipline, to prevent any such outrages 
as had occurred in some other parts. So firm and just was the govern- 
ment of the city, compared with the misgovernment and tyranny to 
vvhich they had been subjected, that many leading men of Mexico pro- 
posed to General Scott to retain possession and give them a good 
and permanent administration. 

But the American general sought only to serve his country. He 
had forced Mexico to submit. 

His Government was to settle the terms with the conquered republic. 
Peace was now certain ; but General Scott was soon after recalled, and, 
leaving the army in Mexico, he returned to New York in the spring. 

The fall of Mexico put a stop to hostilities in that vicinity ; but 
Santa Anna, recovering a little courage, once more appeared in the 
field, and attempted to break the American line of communications. 
Puebla was held by a small American force under Colonel Childs, and, 
though besieged by a large body of Mexicnns, refused to surrender. 



TREATY OF PEACE. ^OI 

Santa Anna joined the besiegers with his army, and used every ex- 
ertion to take the place before relief could reach it. 

Failing in this, he resolved to strike a blow in another quarter, and 
hearing that an American detachment under Lane was marching to 
reinforce Colonel Childs, he attempted to intercept it. The two corps 
met at Huamantla, on the 9th of October, and after a brief action. 
Lane routed Santa Anna ; and pushing on to Atlixco, attacked the 
Mexican guerilla Rea, who had cut off a hundred men of Major Lally's 
command. On the i6th,he utterly routed Rea, killing and wounding 
more than five hundred of his opponents. 

Santa Anna, now a mere fugitive, rejected by the people whom he 
had led on to resist the Americans, resigned all his offices, and the 
gfovernment of Mexico devolved on Pena, who at once called a con- 
vention to consider the critical state of INIexican affairs. It met at 
Oueretaro in November, and conforming to tlie expressed opinion of 
Pena, appointed commissioners to treat of peace with the United 
States. N. P. Trist, acting on the part of that republic, soon brought 
negotiations to a close, and on the 2d of February, 1S48, the commis- 
sioners of the two nations signed a treaty of peace at Guadalupe Hi- 
dalgo. This treaty, finalh- accepted by both Governments, and pro- 
claimed by President Polk on the 4th of July, gave to the United 
States the disputed territory between the Nueces and tlie Rio Grande, 
as to which the war had arisen, and in addition New Mexico and 
California. The American Government on its side agreed to pay 
Mexico fifteen millions of dollars, three millions in hand, and twelve 
millions in four annual installments. They were to evacuate the Mexi- 
can territory within three months. The war having thus closed, the 
American army withdrew from Mexico in the course of the summer. 



702 CHRISTIANITY IN NEW MEXICO AND CALIFORNIA. 

The new territory thus added to the United States is not without 
its interest in an historical j^oint of view. New Me.xico had been 
discovered by the Spaniards as early as the year 1539, by a Francis- 
can, Father Mark, of Nice in Italy, who penetrated to Zuiii, one of 
tlie Indian towns still standing. He found the country inhabited by a 
half-civilized race, living in houses built close together of sunburnt 
bricks, several stories high, each story smaller than those beneath, 
and reached by ladders, there being no door or opening on the outside. 
The main entrance was in the roof. These Indians cultivated the soil, 
used hand-mills for grinding corn, wove cloth, made pottery, and 
showed o-reat intellieence. 

An expedition under Vasquez deCoronado occupied the country in 
1540, and zealous missionaries began to labor among the Indians, some 
of them losing their lives in the Christian work. 

California, which had been discovered by Cortez, the conqueror of 
Mexico, was visited by a fleet under Vizcaino, at the same time that 
Coronado was exploring New Mexico. John de Onatcfinally entered 
New Mexico in 1595, under a patent from Philip II. of Spain, with 
colonists, and founded St. Gabriel, and soon after Santa Fe, in which 
the governor of New Mexico resided as early as 1600. Thus we see 
that that little town, even now far removed from all our thriving States 
and cities, is really, next to St. Augustine in Florida, the oldest city 
in the United States. 

The Spaniards converted nearly all the natives to Christianity by 
the year 1626, and ruled the country in peace for many years ; but in 
1680, owing to the tyranny of the military governors, the Indians rose 
and nearly exterminated the Spaniards, San Juan de los Caballeros 
being the only large place that escaped. The Spaniards, however, 



ZEALOUS MISSIONARIES AND GARRISON TOWNS. 703 

soon recovered the country, and attempted to extend it, sending ex- 
peditions to what is now Kansas. New Mexico formed a part of 
Mexico till, by the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, it became part of 
the United States. Before the United States had taken any steps as 
to its government, Texas claimed New Mexico as part of its territory. 
This claim was resisted by the Americans who had settled there; and 
in consequence. Colonel Monroe, the governor of New Mexico, in 
1850, called a convention, which adopted a constitution, and pro- 
ceeded to solicit admission as a State. 

California was not so soon occupied by the Spaniards. It was too 
remote, and seemed to offer little inducement for_ colonists. 

The Jesuits began missions in Lower California, and were extend- 
ing their labors northward at the time of their suppression in the last 
century. In 1769, Galvez resolved to settle Upper California, and 
set out with a considerable force, taking live stock and all necessaries. 
The Franciscans, who had succeeded the Jesuits, began missions in 
Upper California, with a little garrison of soldiers near each. Out 
of these grew many of the present older towns in that State. 

In this way San Diego, Monterey, San Francisco, and other cities 
of California were founded just about the time of our Revolution. A 
few Spaniards settled in the territory, and the Indians were raised to a 
high degree of civilization by the missionaries, who taught them agri- 
culture and manufactures, and enabled them to live in comfort. The 
missions were sometimes attacked by wild Indians, and several of the 
devoted men were killed ; but the country prospered until 1824, when 
the Mexican Government sent out men to seize the mission lands and 
dispossess the Indians. In a short time those thriving communities 
were broken up, and the Indians, left to themselves, fell back to less 



704 GOLD DISCOVERED ON THE SACRAMENTO. 

civilized ways, and diminished greatly. California did not gain in 
white settlers to make up the loss, and became a languishing province. 

England and France both began to feel the importance of San 
Francisco as a port on the Pacific, and the Russians actually began a 
settlement at Bodega, not far from it. 

The mineral wealth of California was not known at that time, but 
the same month that the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, a 
man in the employ of Captain Sutter, who had settled on the Sacra- 
mento River, discovered gold. This set others to examine, and gold 
was found in many places. As soon as this became known in the 
United States, a general excitement ensued. Thousands started at 
once for the land of gold, endeavoring to reach California by any kind 
of vessel, the only modes of proceeding at the time being to sail 
around Cape Horn, or to go to the Isthmus of Panama, and cross 
there, and take shipping on the Pacific. 

The population increased so that a regular Territorial Government 
was organized. 

During the war, the United Stateshad prospered, and showed their 
appreciation of suffering abroad by sending relief to the starving 
poor in Ireland. A vessel of the United States navy on one occasion 
carried over a cargo of provisions : a better use than bombarding 
cities and carrying death and desolation amid women and children 
clustering around the family altar. 

During this administration, Wisconsin wasadrhitted into the Union 
in 1848, and Oregon organized as a Territory, as Minnesota also was 
in 1849. ^^^ the discovery of gold in California drew the tide of 
emigration to that new Territory, and checked for a time the growth 
of the Northwest. 



GENERAL TAYLOR ELECTED PRESIDENT. 705 

At the election which took place in 1848, Lewis Cass was put for- 
ward by the Democratic party, and General Taylor by the Whigs ; 
but many of the Democrats did not accept the political views enter- 
tained by the adherents of General Cass, and Martin Van Buren was 
nominated by a section of the party adverse to the extension of sla- 
very and known as Free-soilers. Zachary Taylor, accordingly, was 
elected President, and Millard Fillmore, Vice-President. 



CHAPTER XII. 

ZACHARY TAYLOR, TWELFTH PRESIDENT— 1849-1850. 
MILLARD FILLMORE, THIRTEENTH PRESIDENT— 1850-1853. 

Brief Administration of General Taylor — Admission of California — Fillmore as President — 
Lopez and the Cuban Affairs — Sioux Indians — Kossuth — Sir John Franklin and the Grinnell 
Expedition — Fishery Question — Death of Clay and Webster — The Telegraph. 

Zachary Taylor, born in Virginia, in November, 1781, before the 
close of the Revolution, removed in childhood to Kentucky. In 
1807, he entered the United States army, and had won distinction in 
the war with Great Britain, as well as at a later date in the Seminole 
war and the first campaign against Mexico. His brilliant victories at 
Palo Alto, Resaca dela Palma, Monterey, and Buena Vista had made 
him a favorite with the people. 

Although he had never filled any civil position in the Government, 
great hopes were placed in his integrity and decisive character. He 
selected as his first Cabinet, John M. Clayton, as Secretary of State; 
William M. Mereditli, Secretary of the Treasury ; George W. Craw- 
ford, Secretary of War ; William B. Preston, Secretary of the Navy ; 



706 CALIFORNIA ADMITTED AS A FREE STATE. 

and to the newly erected Department of the Interior he appointed 
Thomas Ewing. 

One of the first questions for consideration was the erection of a 
State Government in CaHfornia, a somewhat premature step, but 
called for by the large number who had already settled in the State, 
and the constant influx from all parts. 

Governor Riley, the military governor of CaHfornia, called a con- 
vention to form a State Constitution, which it did, September i, 1849. 
When the people adopted the instrument submitted to them by this 
convention, they elected Peter H. Burnett as Governor. This Consti- 
tution excluded slavery from California. 

The Legislature at once proceeded to elect two Senators, who has- 
tened to Washington with a petition asking the recognition of Cali- 
fornia as a State. On the meetincr of Congress in December, General 
Taylor sent in these petitions and recommended acti-on upon them ; 
but intense excitement j^revailed through the country. Taking alarm 
at the hostility manifested by Northern members to the institution of 
slavery, the Southern members of Congress prepared to secede from 
the Union. A convention was called at Nashville, January, 1850, to 
consider the step. 

The question of slavery excited violent debates in Congress, which 
lasted for four months, and resulted in the Compromise Act of 1850, 
passed on the 9th of September. By this, California was admitted 
as a free State ; the country east of it was formed into Utah Terri- 
tory, with no limitation in regard to slavery; New Mexico was made 
a Territory in the same way. At the same time provision was 
made for the return by the Northern States of fugitive slaves from the 
South. 



A NEW PRESIDENT AND CABINET. 707 

But before this act passed, Zachary Taylor passed away. He died, 
July 9, 1S50, of a sudden and painful illness. 

Millard Fillmore, a native of Cayuga County, New York, who had 
risen from the position of an humble mechanic to a high rank at the 
bar by his own exertions, assumed the duties of the Presidency on the 
lOth of July, 1850. He did not retain Taylor's Cabinet, but called 
Daniel Webster to the Department of State ; Thomas Corwin, to that 
of the Treasury ; made Charles M. Conrad Secretary of War; Alex- 
ander 1 1. H. Stuart, Secretary of the Interior ; and William A. Gra- 
ham, Secretary of the Navy. 

Under his administration the questions as to the admission of Cali- 
fornia were, as we have seen, settled. Utah, made a Territory by the 
same act, had already been fixed upon by the Mormons as their7uture 
abode. In this Territory is a remarkable body of water, known as 
the Great Salt Lake, resembling the Dead Sea in the saline character 
of its waters. On this the Mormons began Salt Lake City. Here 
they commenced cultivating the soil and raising cattle. Missionaries 
were sent to Europe, who found many to join them in England, 
Wales, and Norway. They thus increased rapidly in numbers, but 
being unrestrained by any neighbors, and under no control, they soon 
introduced many practices at violence with all civilized custom : among 
others, that of polygamy, by which a man had several wives at the 
same time. Brigham Young, their prophet and chief, was for a time 
the Governor appointed by the authorities at Washington, and this 
confirmed their power. As the Legislature of the Territory was en- 
tirely Mormon, and all the judges, there was no means of punishing 
a Mormon for polygamy, or for many murders which were laid to 
their charge, sometimes of considerable bodies of emigrants. 



708 CUBAN REVOLUTION FINDS SYMPATHIZERS. 

The difficulties of treating the Mormon question, prevented the 
admission of Utah as a State, and kept settlers from entering a Ter- 
ritory where they could not feel safe. 

During the troubles arising out of the French Revolution, Spain 
was for a time ruled by a brother of Napoleon, and became the scene 
of many battles between the English and French. Profiting by the 
distracted state of the mother country, all the Spanish colonies in 
North and South America threw off the Spanish yoke, and, following 
the example of the United States, formed separate republics. Spain 
Avas able to retain only Cuba, and Porto Rico, in the West Indies. 
In these, too, a republican feeling grew up; and in 1S51, plans 
were formed for a revolution in Cuba, with the design of throw- 
ing ofT all dependence on Spain, and making that island a re- 
public. 

There were many in the United States who sympathized with the 
Cubans, and who were ready to join in the attempt, many having 
seen service in Mexico. President Fillmore acted with decision, and 
prevented the organization and fitting out of a military force in the 
United States ; but in August, an expedition of four hundred and 
eighty men, under General Narciso Lopez, a native of South America, 
who had been in the Spanish service, sailed from New Orleans, in the 
steamer Pampero, and landed, on the iith day of August, at Playtas, 
on the northern coast of Cuba. Leaving a small party under Colonel 
Crittenden, of Kentucky, at the landing, Lopez penetrated into the 
interior, expecting a general uprising of the people. None rallied to 
his standard. Crittenden and his party were captured by Spanish 
troops, and shot ; Lopez was soon defeated and his men dispersed. 
He himself, with some of his officers, was taken to Havana, and there 



EMIGRATION CHEAP POSTAGE KOSSUTH. 709 

garroted, the mode of death used in Spanish parts. Others were 
condemned, but most of them were idtimately pardoned. 

As emigration was steadily pouring to the Northwest, it became de- 
sirable to extinguish the Indian title to lands in Minnesota, and induce 
the powerful nation of Sioux to retire farther westward. By two trea- 
ties in 185 1, they yielded large tracts of land ; but though the Indians 
thus ceded part of their hunting-grounds, they viewed with jealousy 
the increase of the whites, and nourished a spirit of revenge. 

Among the acts of the first Congress under Fillmore's administra- 
tion, was one reducing the postage on letters to three cents for any 
distance under three thousand miles. The experiment of cheap post- 
age had been tried already in England, and found to be equally bene- 
ficial to the Government and the people. Another act authorized the 
Government to send a vessel to bring to the United States Kossuth 
and other Hungarians, who had been exiled for their opposition to the 
Austrians. He in fact came over, and for a time excited attention by 
his eloquence, but the public interest in him soon died away. He was 
for the time the lion of the day — one of those distinguished foreigners 
over whom an excitement occurs every few years. The sympathy 
shown in the United States, and even b)' the Government, for the Hun- 
garians, had already elicited protests from the Austrian Government. 

This year witnessed the return of the first Grinnell expedition sent 
out under Lieutenant De Haven to the Arctic Ocean, to discover and 
rescue, if possible. Sir John Franklin, an English explorer, who had set 
out to seek the passage through to the Pacific, but who had not been 
heard of since 184S. Dr. Kane, who had accompanied De Haven, 
was sent out in 1853 on a second expedition, by the generous public 
spirit of Mr. Moses H. Grinnell, but failed to find the lost English 



7IO RECIPROCITY WITH CANADA. 

navigator. Sir John Franklin had undoubtedly perished amid the 
northern ice. 

An outrage on American shipping occurred at Greytown, Nicara- 
gua, in November, 1851, which showed the English to be actuated by 
their old overbearing and arbitrary ideas. The American steamer 
Prometheus was twice fired into by the British brig-of-war Express, and 
compelled to pay-illegal port dues before it was permitted to proceed. 
The English Government recoiled from any attempt to justify so 
gross an outrage, and disavowed the acts of the Express. It was the 
more necessary to maintain a good understanding between the two 
countries, as violent disputes already existed in regard to the fisheries. 
By the treaty of 1818, Americans were not to fish within three miles 
of the shore of the British provinces. On an irregular and much-in- 
dented shore, it became a question how this three miles was to be 
reckoned. The Americans considered the three-mile line to be one 
following the coast, and three miles distant from it point for point, 
while the English drew a line between the most prominent points on 
the coast, and wished the Americans to be kept three miles beyond 
that, which would in some cases be five or si.x miles from the coast. 
The adjustment of this matter was one of Mr. Webster's last great acts. 
A mutually satisfactory arrangement of the fishery question was 
eft'ected by the Reciprocity Treaty with the British colonies. 

Henry Clay, long a prominent American statesman representing the 
-South, had died in June, 1852, having resigned his position as Sena- 
tor from Kentucky. Mr. Webster was now to follow. He died on 
the 2 1 St of October. These two great men were universally lamented, 
as all felt that never perhaps in the country's history were such wise 
and experienced statesmen more needed in the management of pub- 



"a step that AMERICA CAN NEVER TAKE. 71I 

lie afYairs. Webster was succeeded as Secretary of State by the elo- 
quent Edward Everett, one of whose first duties was to reply to the 
proposal of England and France, to join them in a treaty by which 
Cuba should be secured to Spain. This was a step that America could 
never take. Everett replied distinctly," that the United States could 
not see with indifference the Island of Cuba fall into the possession of 
any other European Government than Spain." While disclaiming 
any wish on the part of the United States to wrest Cuba from Spain, 
he showed that the power of Spain over that island must soon cease, 
and that, from its very position, America must be free to do what her 
interest demanded. 

In the last session under Mr. Fillmore, Washington Territory was 
formed out of part of Oregon ; money was appropriated to survey a 
line of railroad from the Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean, so as to 
brino; the two shores of the continent into closer connection. 

A wonderful invention, the magnetic telegraph, perfected by 
Samuel F. B. Morse, an artist and polemical writer, had already been 
widely adopted. Companies had been formed which extended lines 
of telegraph to all parts of the country, by which messages were sent 
over insulated wires with almost the speed of light, making" the dif- 
fusion of intelligence nearly instantaneous. 

In the Presidential election of 1852, there were several candidates. 
The Democrats nominated Franklin Pierce, of New Hampshire, 
and as Vice-President, William R. King, of Alabama. The Whigs 
put forward General Scott as their candidate for the Presidency, 
with William A. Graham as Vice-President. The Free-soil party 
nominated John P. Hale, of New Hampshire. Mr. Pierce was 
elected by a large majority. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

FRANKLIN PIERCE, FOURTEENTH PRESIDENT— 1853-1857. 

The Mesilla Valley Difficulty — Growth of the Country — Walker and Nicaragua — The Ostend 
Manifesto — Kansas and Nebraska — The Dangerous Excitement as to the Growth of Slavery. 

Franklin Pierce, born at Hillsborough, New Hampshire, in 1804, 
received a finished education, and rose to a high rank at the bar. After 
holding various public positions, as member of the State Legislature, 
and Representative and Senator in Congress, he entered tlie army in 
the Mexican war as a private soldier, but was commissioned as briga- 
dier-general. We have seen him already, with Shields, leading on the 
troops in some of the most important battles of the war. He came to 
the Presidency with a high reputation as a statesman and commander. 
His Cabinet was com.posed of men of mark : William L. Marcy, Sec- 
retary of State ; James Guthrie, Secretary of the Treasury ; Robert 
McClellan, Secretary of the Interior ; Jefferson Davis, Secretary of 
War ; James Q. Dobbin, Secretary of the Navy ; James Campbell, 
Postmaster General ; and Caleb Cushing as Attorney General. 

Mr. King, who had as President of the Senate acted as Vice-Presi- 
dent under Fillmore, did not long survive his election to that office. 
The oath of inauguration was administered to him in Cuba, whither 
he had gone to regain his shattered health ; but he died in April, 
1853, and Mr. Atchison, of Missouri, as President of the Senate, 
acted as Vice-President. 

A border difficulty occurred in this administration in regard to a 
tract called the Mesilla Valley, which it was important for the United 
States to possess, but which Mexico claimed. After some negotia- 
tions, Mexico finally ceded it to the United States, relinquishing all 

her right on payment of a stipulated amount. 

712 



KANSAS AND NEBRASKA TROUBLES. 713 

Settlements had pushed on beyond the limits of Missouri, and when 
Congress met it was proposed to organize this tract into two Terri- 
tories, by the names of Kansas and Nebraska, the former lying be- 
tween 37° and 40° N., and the latter between 40° and 49° N. The 
question whether slavery should be admitted into these Territories 
aroused the whole country. The discussion was not confined to the 
halls where men met to discuss politics : churches rang with the ex- 
citing topic. A petition was presented to Congress against the 
admission of slavery into these Territories, and it was signed by three 
thousand clergymen. A bill was finally passed. May 22d, organizing 
Nebraska as a Territory, and leaving the question of slavery entirely 
to the people of the Territory, who were to permit or prohibit it as 
they chose. Kansas was soon after admitted on the same plan. 

America had refused to enter into the Tripartite Treaty and bind 
herself not to deprive Spain of the Island of Cuba. But the European 
Powers did not let the matter drop. The American ministers to Eng- 
land and France and Spain resolved to confer with each other, and 
they accordingly met at Ostend, in Belgium, October 9, 1854. Here 
Mr. Buchanan, minister to England, Mr. Mason, minister to France, 
and Mr. Pierre Soule, minister to Spain, drew up the famous Ostend 
Manifesto, in which they said : " If Spain, actuated by stubborn 
pride, and a false sense of honor, shall refuse to sell Cuba to the United 
States, by every law. human and divine, we (the United States) shall 
be justified in wresting it from Spain, if we possess the pttwer." 

This document excited considerable discussion at home and abroad, 
but Government did not notice the affair. 

Meanwhile another occasion of difficulty arose from expeditions 
from the United States. The travel to California was shortened by 



714 THE BRITISH MINISTER DISMISSED. 

crossing the Isthmus of Panama, and a railroad opened in 1855 n^ade 
the crossing easy and rapid. Another route led through the State of 
Nicaragua in Central America. The project of a railroad there 
attracted many Americans to that country, and some began to take 
part in the endless revolutions which have proved ruinous to most of 
the republics in Spanish America. William Walker, an American 
raised to office in Nicaragua, returned to the United States to obtain 
troops, and numbers enlisted under his standard. The Government 
of the United States used everj- effort to prevent their departure, but 
many got away. Walker succeeded in his attempt, and his Govern- 
ment was recognized by President Pierce. It did not last long, how- 
ever. Walker was driven out, and, in a subsequent attempt to regain 
his lost power, was captured and shot. 

While we were not very strict in enforcing neutrality on our citi- 
zens, we showed promptness in rebuking other Governments on that 
score. About this very time, England and France were at war with 
Russia, and as England found it difficult to raise a sufficient number of 
soldiers, never having ventured to adopt the French system of con- 
scription, by which men are dragged from their business and forced 
into the army, it endeavored to recruit soldiers in the United States. 
President Pierce, to check it, dismissed the British minister at Wash- 
ington, as well as the Enelish consuls in New York and Cincinnati. 

The slavery question, so far as Nebraska was concerned, was settled 
by the very nature of the country. It was adapted only for northern 
crops, and slave labor could not be profitable. Kansas became the 
scene of strife. If the South sent in most settlers, it would be a slave 
State ; if the North sent most, it would be another free State. The 
whole country was again convulsed, and the most inflammatory arti- 



AMERICAN OR " KNOW-NOTHING " PARTY. 7^5 

cles in the papers and speeches to the people kept the excitement 

alive. 

Amid it all a new election took place. The Democratic party put 
forward as its candidate James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania, with 
John C. Breckinridge, of Kentucky, as Vice-President. The new 
party opposed to the extension of slavery, which now assumed the 
name of the Republican party, selected as their candidate John C. 
Fremont, who had played so prominent a part in the conquest of 
California. The party opposed to the immigration of foreigners and 
the extension of the Catholic Church had revived, and gained strength 
in some parts to such an extent that for the first time it put forward 
a Presidential candidate. It was called the American or Know- 
Nothing party, and its choice fell on Millard Fillmore, who had al- 
ready so honorably filled the Presidential chair. After an exciting 
election, Mr. Buchanan was chosen, the Know-Nothing party showing 
itself insignificant ; but it was evident that the Republican party was 
rapidly gaining in strength. This sought only to limit slavery, but 
declared that it did not seek to interfere with the old slave States, or 
abolish slavery there, as a little party called Abolitionists demanded. 
Many who respected the rights of slaveholders under the Constitution, 
were averse to seeing slavery extend farther into the country. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

JAMES BUCHANAN, FIFTEENTH PRESIDENT— 1857-1861. 

Kansas — Its Civil War and Final Admission as a Free State — Admission of Other New States — 
Territories Organized — Party Violence — John Brown and Harper's Ferry — Four Presiden- 
tial Tickets — Election of Abraham Lincoln — Secession of South Carolina and Six Other 
States — They Form the Confederate States of America — Seizure of Forts — Anderson and 
Fort Sumter — The Ineffectual Attempt to Relieve it. 

James Buchanan brought to the Presidency long experience in 
public affairs as a cabinet officer, legislator, and diplomatist. He 
was born in the State of Pennsylvania, in April, i 79 r , and was elected 
to the Legislature of his native State at the age of twenty-three. 
His cabinet was composed of Lewis Cass, Secretary of State ; Howell 
Cobb, Secretary of the Treasury ; John B. Floyd, Secretary of War ; 
Isaac Toucey, Secretary of the Navy ; Jacob Thompson, Secretary 
of the Interior ; Aaron V. Brown, Postmaster General ; and Jere- 
miah S. Black, Attorney General. 

Kansas was the great difficulty. The animosity of the two parties 
there led to repeated acts of violence, and the governors with great 
difficulty prevented a civil war. When the time came for framing a 
Constitution, two conventions met ; one, of those favoring slavery, at 
Lecompton ; the other, adverse to it, at Topeka. Each adopted a 
Constitution. The elections that followed were marked by every 
species of fraud and violence. Buchanan, recognizing the Lecompton 
Constitution, sent it to Congress in February, 1858, with a message 
recommending its acceptance. Congress, however, directed its sub- 
mission to the people, by whom it was ultimately rejected. Popular 

sovereignty had decided against slavery; and a Constitution having 

716 



TROUBLE IN UTAH FIRST ATLANTIC CABLE. 717 

been adopted, suppressing slavery, Kansas, on the 29th of January, 
was admitted as a free State. 

Another Territory gave trouble also. This was Utah. As it was 
inhabited entirely by Mormons, whose strange religion and shameful 
practice of polygamy cut them off from the rest of the people, Con- 
gress had always deferred admitting them as. a State. Incensed at 
this, they commenced revolutionary proceedings in 1857, destroying 
the records of the United States, and aiming at a separate existence. 
Brigham Young, who had unwisely been made governor by President 
Fillmore, was removed, and Colonel Cumming appointed. A small 
army w^as sent to enforce the laws of the United States. Brigham 
Young- threatened to resist, but, when the troops appeared, sur- 
rendered the reins of power to the new governor. From this moment 
the Mormons announced their intention of migrating, but for many 
years no such step was taken. The army, which had fortunately no 
necessity for action, was reciUled, having lost a provision-train de- 
stroyed by the Mormons in the mountains. 

The year 1858 showed, though only for a time, the triumph of en- 
terprise and science in the laying ot a transatlantic cable, extending 
from Europe to America, for the working of a magnetic telegraph. 
The wire was insulated by a coating of gutta-percha, and sunk in the 
ocean, a plateau having been discovered, extending from Ireland to 
Newfoundland, where the depth of the water was remarkably less 
than in other parts. This great undertaking, due in no small degree 
to the energy of Cyrus W. Field, of New York, was successfully ac- 
complished on the 5th of August, 1858, a cable sixteen hundred miles 
long extending from Valentia Bay, Ireland, to Trinity Bay, New- 
foundland. On tlie i6th, the whole machinery was in working order. 



7^8 A GREAT STRUGGLE AT HAND. 

and a message was sent oyer it from Queen Victoria to President 
Buchanan, and his reply was telegraphed back. But the cable almost 
immediately parted. 

The great object was, however, attained. It was possible to lay 
such a cable and work it. In a few years another cable was laid, 
which excited competition. In our time we have our daily news from 
Europe, and know great events taking place in foreign countries often 
long before they are known in many parts of those very states where 
they occur. 

Lopez, who had made himself dictator of Paraguay, acted in so 
hostile a manner to x^merican vessels, that a squadron was sent out 
under Commodore Shubrick, which obtained satisfactory apology. 

England gave annoyance during this administration, by reviving 
her old right of search, boarding many American vessels under the 
pretext of their being engaged in the slave trade. 

The questions arising from slavery were e.xciting the whole country. 
Congress, carrying out the Constitution, had passed a law regulating 
the mode of returning to their masters fugitive slaves. This law was 
odious in the North, and was nullified by State laws, rendering it 
practically a dead letter. The South, in its e.xasperation, sought to 
revive the slave trade, and introduce new slaves direct from Africa. 
It was evident that a great struggle was at hand. The Republican 
party, though professedly moderate, disavowing any design to inter- 
fere with slavery in the South, would evidently be satisfied with noth- 
ing short of the absolute abolition of slavery. They were evidently 
aggressive, as the South was conservative. That the Republican 
party then aimed at the liberation of the slaves, and investing them 
with the almost exclusive political power, so that ignorant and vio- 



JOHN HKOWN S RAID INTO VIRGIMA. /IQ 

lent negroes should legislate for and govern the cultivated white 
owners of the soil, no one then dreamed ; yet the result proved that 
the project existed. 

The first blow that showed the aggressive character of the North was 
the action of John Brown, in Virginia. On the dark night, October 
1 6th, 1859, this man, who had become a perfect fanatic during the 
civil war in Kansas, with a few followers, black and white, seized the 
United States arsenal at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, and called on the 
slaves in that State to rise and strike for freedom. The call was un- 
heeded. The next day, the State militia invested the place, but 
Brown kept up the fight, and was finally reduced by a party of United 
States marines. Brown was badly wounded, and, with the survivors 
of his band, captured, indicted for treason, and tried within two weeks 
after his mad attempt, being brought into court on a mattress. He 
was promptly convicted, and, with his followers, was executed in 
December. The excitement caused by this affair throughout the 
country was intense. 

The Presidential election was approaching. A Democratic conven- 
tion met in Charleston, but it broke up on the slavery question. At 
an adjourned convention in Baltimore, Stephen A. Douglas was 
nominated for President, but the members of the Slave States in a 
separate convention nominated John C. Breckinridge. A new party, 
taking a sort of middle course, put forward John Bell of Tennessee, 
and Edward Everett of Massachusetts. The Republican party united 
in putting forward Abraham Lincoln of Illinois, for President, and 
Hannibal Hamlin of Maine, for Vice-President. 

The election was very warmly contested, and showed some strange 
results in the method of electino- a President. Mr. Lincoln received 



720 SOUTH CAROLINA SECEDES. 

1,866,452 votes of the people, and 180 in the electoral college. 
Douglas, though he was voted for by 1,375,144 citizens, had only 12 
votes in the electoral college ; while Breckinridge, who received only 
847,953 popular votes, had 72 electors in his favor ; and Bell, with a 
still smaller popular vote, 591,631, had 39 electoral votes. 

The excitement in the Southern States during- the election had 
been intense, and the people were filled with the most bitter feelings. 

To their minds there was no alternative between a condition of vas- 
sals and war. South Carolina acted at once. She held that, under the 
Constitution of the United States, a State might at any time secede, 
as there was nothing in the instrument denying the right, and that in 
the Convention the right had been virtually admitted. The Legisla- 
ture of South Carolina accordingly called a convention of the people. 
That body, on the 20th of December, unanimously adopted an ordi- 
nance repealing the adoption of the Constitution of the United States 
by South Carolina, and dissolving the Union on the part of that State. 
Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, approved the 
course of South Carolina, and prepared for secession. The other 
slave States hesitated. 

While the country was convulsed with excitement and the forebod- 
ings of a terrible future. Congress met. President Buchanan, in his 
message, calmly reviewed the whole situation. He deplored the vio- 
lent interference of the North in the matter of slavery, but showed 
that no act had yet been done by the General Government which could 
justify revolutionary resistance: " In order to justify secession as a 
constitutional remedy, it must be on the principle that the Federal 
Government is a mere voluntary association of States, to be dissolved 
at pleasure by any one of the contracting parties. If this be so, the 



THE PRESIDENT URGES CONCILIATION. 721 

confederacy is a rope of sand, to be penetrated and dissolved by the 
first adverse wave of public opinion in any of the States. By this 
process, a Union might be entirely broken into fragments in a few 
weeks, which cost our fathers many years of toil, privation, and blood 
to establish." But he did not believe that Congress had the rigrht to 
compel the submission of a State by force of arms. He urged con- 
ciliation, and proposed such an amendment to the Constitution as 
would relieve the fears of the South. 

The course of the President pleased neither section of the country. 
But as he adopted the plan of not interfering to prevent secession, and 
several members of his Cabinet, including the Secretary of War, were 
avowed secessionists, they had nothing to oppose their work. The 
discussions in Congress were violent, but no measures were adopted. 

As soon as South Carolina seceded, the Senators and Representa- 
tives from that State left their seats in Congress, and nearly all citi- 
zens of that State who were ofificers in the United States service, 
whether army, navy, or civil, resigned. 

Immediately after the accomplishment of the secession of South 
Carolina, the people of that State prepared to seize the arsenals, cus- 
tom-houses, and other property of the United States. The harbor of 
Charleston was defended by Forts Moultrie, Sumter, and Castle Pinck- 
ney. There was a small garrison in Moultrie, under Major Anderson, 
but the other works were not protected ; and Floyd, the Secretary of 
War, who had long been working to carry out the Southern plans, 
determined that they should not be. Major Anderson had in vain 
appealed to Washington for reinforcements to secure all the forts. 
Finding that in case of attack he could not hold Moultrie with his 
small garrison, Anderson, on the 26th of December, transferf^d his 



722 FEDERAL FORTS AND ARSENALS SEIZED. 

force to Fort Sumter, which, lying on an island in Charleston Harbor, 
was much more easily defended. 

The effect of this movement was startling. General Cass, as Secre- 
tary of State, had urged the reinforcement of the forts, but had been 
forced to retire from Mr. Buchanan's Cabinet. Now Floyd, insisting 
on the removal of Anderson and his garrison, withdrew, and Joseph 
Holt of Kentucky became Secretary of War. 

The Governor of South Carolina at once seized Fort Moultrie and 
Castle Pinckney, the arsenal, custom-house and post-office, and ordered 
Anderson to return to Fort Moultrie, an order which he of course de- 
clined to obey. At Washington, three commissioners, sent from 
South Carolina to treat with the Government of the United States 
for the delivery of the forts and other property, denounced in violent 
language the conduct of Major Anderson. The President declined 
to receive them in any but their individual capacity, or to order the 
evacuation of Fort Sumter. Their reply was in such language that 
Mr. Buchanan refused to receive it. 

South Carolina at once began to throw up works to besiege Fort 
Sumter. And other Southern States followed the example she had 
set of seizing the forts and other property belonging to the Federal 
Government. Georgia troops, by order of the Governor, seized Fort 
Pulaski, and, under orders of Governor Ellis of North Carolina, Fort 
Macon, the forts at Wilmington, and the United States arsenal at 
Fayetteville were seized.. Fort Morgan at Mobile, with an arsenal 
well stored with arms and ammunition, was seized by Alabama, 
although none of those States had yet pretended to secede. 

It became a question whether Major Anderson was to be reinforced 
or left to his fate. The Brooklyn man-of-war was at one time ordered 



THREE UTHER STATES SECEDE. 723 

to proceed to that fort with reinforcements. This order was revoked, 
General Scott acting with great indecision, and when troops were 
finally sent it was in the Stai' of the West, an unarmed merchant 
steamer. It reached Charleston harbor on the 9th of January, 1861, 
but, in trying to reach Fort Sumter, was fired at from a battery on 
Morris Island, manned by the cadets of a Charleston school. One 
ball struck the steamer, and as the fort did not open fire to protect 
it, the Star of the West wore round and steered down the channel. 

That same day, Mississippi, by the vote of a convention, seceded 
from the United States. On the iith, Florida, which was territory 
purchased by the United States Government from Spain, passed a 
similar ordinance of secession, and Alabama did the same. On the 
14th, the troops of these two States seized Fort Barrancas and the 
navy-yard at Pensacola, with large supplies of arms, ammunition, and 
stores. 

On the 19th, Georgia adopted the same course, although Alexan- 
der H. Stephens and Herschel V. Johnson labored earnestly to pre- 
vent the disastrous action. A week later, Louisiana, which, like 
Florida, was formed from territory purchased by the United States 
Government, adopted a secession ordinance, and seized the Govern- 
ment forts, arsenals, and treasure. 

In Texas, General Houston, the old hero who overthrew Santa 
Anna at San Jacinto, earnestly opposed secession, but the conven- 
tion on the 23d of February finally adopted it, but in a more repub- 
lican method. The question was submitted to the vote of the people 
of the State, and they on the 4th of March adopted the ordinance 
of secession. 

When this movement had been accomplished, the Representatives 



724 CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA ORGANIZED. 

and Senators of those States in Congress withdrew, many of them 
taking leave in speeches defending the course of the Southern States. 

The Northern States were now roused to a sense of danger, and 
began to offer the President aid in men or money to enforce the 
laws and uphold the authority of the Federal Government. 

The position of the country was strange. In all the Southern States, 
from South Carolina to Texas, the flag of the United States had dis- 
appeared ; the forts were all held by the State troops, the custom- 
houses were in State hands, the United States Courts had ceased, 
the post-of^ces had been seized, and the militia were under arms, well 
supplied with all necessaries for actual service ; Floyd, recently Secre- 
tary of War, having, as part of the plan of secession, sent to the South 
large quantities of cannon, muskets, and ammunition for the purpose. 

Their next step was to organize a new government. In accord- 
ance with a proposition of Alabama, all the seceding States sent 
delegates to a general congress which met in Montgomery, Alabama, 
on the 4th of February. They at once adopted a constitution based 
upon that of the United States, and then elected Jefferson Davis of 
Mississippi as Provisional President, and Alexander H. Stephens as 
Vice-President of the Confederate States. 

Davis was a man of ability ; he was a graduate of West Point, had 
served in Indian wars and as colonel of a Mississippi regiment had 
fought gallantly at Monterey and Buena Vista, having been severely 
wounded in the last battle which he helped to decide. He had been 
a Representative in Congress, and Senator, and under Pierce was Sec- 
retary of War. He assumed the position of President of the Con- 
federate States on the 18th of February, 1861, and held it till the 
utter overthrow of the new government the secessionists sought to 



I 



TWO GOVERNMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES. 725 

create. Like a President of the United States, he at once formed a 
Cabinet, selecting the prominent men of the movement. Robert 
Toombs of Georgia was made Secretary of State ; C. J. Memminger 
of South Carolina, Secretary of the Treasury ; L. P. Walker of Ala- 
bama, Secretary of War ; Judah P. Benjamin of Louisiana, Attor- 
ney General ; and John H. Reagan, Postmaster General. 

There were thus two governments in the United States, one rec- 
ognized by seven States ; the other still obeyed by the remainder, 
some of which were ready to join the seven. 

On the 14th of February, the votes of the electors were opened in 
the House of Representatives, by Vice-President Breckenridge, who 
declared Abraham Lincoln of Illinois duly elected President, and 
Hannibal Hamlin duly elected Vice-President of the United States. 

Two days after, General Twiggs, commanding the American army 
in Texas, thirty-seven companies, numbering two thousand five hun- 
dred men, surrendered them to the Confederates under McCulloch, 
with public stores and munitions of war to the amount of over a 
million of dollars. 



PART VI. 

THE GREAT CIVIL WAR— ABRAHAM LINCOLN, SIXTEENTH PRESI- 
DENT— 1861-5— 1865. 



CHAPTER I. 

Affairs fluring the Spring and Summer of 1861 — Lincoln's Cabinet — Reorganization of the 
Government, Army and Navy — Attempt to Relieve Sumter — Its Bombardment — The first 
call for Troops— Replies of the States — Blockade of the Southern Ports — East Tennessee 
and West Virginia for the Union — Missouri Saved by Lyon's Energy — First Movement of 
United States Troops — Ellsworth — McClellan in Western Virginia — Battles of Philippi, Rich 
Mountain, and Carrick's Ford — Big Bethel — Bull Run— General Lyon and the Battles of 
Carthage. Dug Spring, Wilson's Creek, and Lexington — First Operations against the Coast 
of the Confederate States. 

Owing to the excited state of Virginia and Maryland, which sym- 
pathized warmly with the secession movement, it became a question 
whether Mr. Lincoln would ever be inaugurated in Washington. The 
country was full of rumors of conspiracies to seize Washington, and 
to assassinate Mr. Lincoln on his way to the seat of government. 
While proceeding to the capital, the danger was deemed such that he 
•entered the city secretly and in haste. Steps had been taken to pre- 
vent any sudden attack during the ceremony. Mr. Lincoln was duly 
inaugurated on the 4th of March. In his address he said : "The 
power confided to me will be used to hold, occupy, and possess the 
property and places belonging to the Government, and collect the 

duties and imports ; but beyond what may be necessarj' for these 

726 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND HLS FIRST CABINET. 72/ 

objects, there will be no invasion, no using of force against or among 
the people anywhere." 

Such was the extent oi what the new administration proposed. 
But as the South would listen to nothing but independence and sep- 
aration, it was impossible to recover the forts, or to re-establish cus- 
tom-houses, without a war. The peace propositions in Congress, 
and the failure of a peace convention, showed this clearly. 

Mr. Lincoln selected as his Cabinet, William l\. Seward of New 
York, as Secretary of State ; Salmon P. Chase of Ohio, Secretary of 
the Treasury ; Simon Cameron of Pennsylvania, Secretary of War; 
Gideon Welles of Connecticut, Secretary of the Navy ; Caleb B. Smith 
Secretary of the Interior ; Montgomery Blair of Maryland, Postmas- 
ter General ; and Edward Bates of Missouri, Attorney General. 

The duties devolved on these officers were important and urgent. 
The War and Navy Departments were disorganized by the acts of sec- 
retaries under Buchanan, who had worked in favor of the South ; many 
officers of the army and navy of Southern birth had resigned, and 
taken service in the army and navy which the Southern Confederacy 
at once organized ; the large force of regulars in lexas had been cap- 
tured ; the Northern arsenals and navy-yards had been stripped of 
great quantities of arms ; the ships of war were dismantled or in dis- 
tant seas ; the public treasury was to be reorganized to meet any com- 
ing difficulty. 

The position of Fort Sumter was one requiring immediate attention. 
Two commissioners came from the Confederate Government, but 
these the administration declined to recognize or treat with. Mr. 
Lincoln, however, agfreed with Governor Pickens of South Carolina, 
not to relieve Sumter without notice to him. He finally determined. 



728 . FIRST SHOT OF THE WAR. 

against the opinion of General Scott, to attempt to throw reinforce- 
ments into it, A squadron was fitted out, but storms scattered it, and 
the ships that arrived found that the steamer Powhatan, which carried 
the orders for the operations, with the launches for landing the sol- 
diers, had been sent to Pensacola. 

On receiving notice of the intention to reinforce Fort Sumter, Gen- 
eral Beauregard had been sent by the Confederate Government 
to control the military operations at Charleston. Batteries of heavy 
cannon were planted at all points near the fort, some protected by 
railroad iron, so as to be proof against shells or balls. 

On the nth of April, Beauregard formally demanded the surren- 
der of the fort. Anderson agreed to leave the fort by the 15th, if he 
did not receive controlling instructions or additional supplies from 
Washington. As the United States vessels were known by Beaure- 
gard to be outside at that very time, he gave notice on the 12th that 
he would open fire within an hour. The first shot was fired from a 
battery on Cummings' Point, quickly followed by others from a float- 
ing battery, Fort Moultrie, Sullivan's Island, and other works. An- 
derson had only eighty men — just enough to work nine guns — and only 
seven hundred cartridges. He replied to the fire of the enemy so 
steadily that they believed he had been reinforced. The wooden bar- 
racks in the fort were soon on fire, and though they were checked from 
time to time, the flames finally swept them all, and burned away the 
gate of the fort, leaving it open to the besiegers. The flag was shot 
away, but gallantly replanted by Sergeant Hart on the shattered wall. 
After thirty-six hours' bombardment, Wigfall, of Texas, came to the 
fort with a flag of truce, and Anderson agreed to evacuate the fort at 
once, as he had already agreed to do on the 1 5th. On raising a white 



THE ENTIRE NORTH AROUSED. 729 

flag at Wigfall's request, officers came from Beauregard to know its 
meaning. Wigfall was disavowed, but the firing was not resumed, 
and on Sunday, the 14th, Anderson, with his garrison, evacuated Fort 
Sumter, with colors flying and drums beating. They were conveyed 
to the Baltic, lying at the entrance of the harbor. 

Fort Sumter had not been surrendered. It was evacuated one day 
earlier than Major Anderson's offer. 

This bombardment determined one question. The dispute was 
now to be settled, not by negotiation, compromise, or convention, but 
by war. The bombardment of Fort Sumter roused the whole North. 
On the 15th, President Lincoln, by proclamation, called forth the 
militia of the States to the number of seventy-five thousand men, to 
suppress unlawful combinations for resisting the laws which had for 
sometime existed in South Carolina and six other Southern States. 
The Governors of Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, 
Missouri, and Arkansas, refused with scorn to obey the call. Mary- 
land and Delaware temporized. The other States responded with 
enthusiasm. The apathy had been broken by the first gun fired at 
Fort Sumter. The general voice was for war, and public opinion be- 
came as intolerant of all argument or opposition at the North as it 
was already at the South. 

Davis, as President of the Confederate States, called out a hundred 
and fifty thousand men, besides thirty-two already demanded, and at 
the same time invited privateers by offers of letters of marque to 
cruise against Northern shipping. This, President Lincoln met by a 
threat of treating as pirates any privateers who should be captured. 

The replies of the Governors of the remaining slave States in- 
dicated that ihey would join the Confederacy. On the 17th of April, 



730 THE NATIONAL CAPITAL IN DANGER. 

Virginia passed an ordinance of secession, and attempted to seize 
the navy-yard at Gosport, near Norfolk, and the arsenal at Harper's 
F"erry. The officer in command at the latter post. Lieutenant Jones, 
seeing the preparations, blew up the place, destroying all the arms, 
rhe arrival of the Pawnee enabled Commodore Macauley to save 
the archives of the Gosport navy-yard, and the ship Cumberland, and 
destroy all vessels and arms that could not be removed, although by 
a little foresight and promptness an immense quantity of public 
property might have been saved. 

The North, now thoroughly roused, went earnestly to work to 
raise meiii, money, and supplies for the contest, the banks and the 
moneyed corporations promptly aiding the States to effect this. 

All felt that the national capital was in imminent danger. A 
glance at the map will show you its position. Washington stands 
on the banks of the Potomac. All south of that river had joined in 
the hostile movement. Maryland, which lay around the District of 
Columbia, was so divided, that the Governor in a i:)roclamation prom- 
ised the people that troops of his State should be used only for the 
defence of Washington. That capital was really cut off from the 
States that were heartily in favor of the old Government. 

Every effort was made to send forward men, as the Confederates 
were known to be advancing on Washington. On the 19th of April, 
the Sixth Regiment of Massachusetts militia entered Baltimore on its 
way to Washington. A mob attacked them while crossing the city 
to take the cars to Washington, and they had to fight their way, los- 
ing several of their men. Some Pennsylvania troops that arrived un- 
armed were forced to return to their own State. But other regiments 
poured down ; bridges destroyed by the Maryland mobs were rebuilt. 



MARYLAND VOTED NOT TO SECEDE. 73 1 

railroads relaid. General Butler, with the Eiehth Massachusetts, 
came down the Susquehanna, took possession of Annapolis, and 
restored railroad communication between that city and Washington. 
Troops poured in so rapidly that the hostile spirit was overawed, and 
the Maryland Legislature voted not to secede. 

The northern bank of the Potomac was lined by troops to sustain 
the Union, and on the south were encamped several thousand mena- 
cing the capital. That city was soon safe ; and troops were thrown 
into Fortress Monroe, so as to insure the safety of that important post. 

It was now evident that the strucrtrle was to be a lone and serious 
war. On the 3d of May, President Lincoln called for forty-two 
thousand volunteers for three years, and for an increase of the regu- 
lar army and navy. A blockade of all the States from Virginia to 
Texas was also declared, and ships fitted out to maintain it. North 
Carolina had followed the course of Virginia, had seized the mint 
and arsenal, and then, on the 20th of May, passed an ordinance of 
secession. Arkansas followed two days later. 

Tennessee then entered into a league with the Confederate States, 
and finally seceded ; but the eastern part of that State and the western 
part of Virginia opposed secession and adhered to the Union, and or- 
ganized to resist the secession movement. When two companies of 
Confederate soldiers marched into Clarksburg, Virginia, on the,20th 
of May, they were surrounded and disarmed. 

Missouri was another State in which public opinion was divided. 
The Governor and many of the leading men were avowed sympa- 
thizers with the Confederates. The Leeislature met in secret session, 
and the Governor called out the militia of the State ; but four regi- 
ments of volunteers were organized by Colonel Frank P. Blair to 



732 MISSOURI DIVIDED IN SENTIMENT. 

respond to the President's call ; and the arsenal was held by Captain 
Lyon of the United States army, who not only furnished the Governor 
of Illinois with arms on a requisition from Washington, but, with 
authority from the seat of government, proceeded to thwart the plans 
of Governor Jackson of Missouri. 

On the loth of May, with his regulars and Blair's volunteers, 
he suddenly marched out and surrounded the militia at Camp Jackson, 
and compelled them to surrender. The column on its return was at- 
tacked by a mob, and had at last to fire on them. General Harney 
was then sent to restore order in Missouri, but he was outwitted by 
Governor Jackson and his general, Price ; and Lyon, now made a 
briofadier-ofeneral of volunteers, was intrusted with full command. 
Then Governor Jackson called out fifty thousand men to repel inva- 
sion, and in a proclamation called on the people to resist the United 
States authority. The railroad bridges between St. Louis and Jeffer- 
son City were cut, and all preparations made to throw the State into 
the hands of the Confederacy. 

Illinois, running down like a wedge between the doubtful States of 
Kentucky and Missouri, was intensely Republican. At the commence- 
ment of the troubles, she made Cairo, at the extreme southern point, 
her centre of operations, and, under directions from the War Depart- 
ment, occupied and fortified it. 

Such was the position of affairs in May. The two sections of the 
country were in arms, and the actual warfare might commence at any 
point along the line. General Scott, at Washington, was planning a 
campaign with all his long experience and ability, but he was sur- 
rounded by officers devoted to the South and all his plans were known 
almost immediately. 



WEST VIRGINIA CWiGANIZED AND ADMITTED. 733 

i 

The troops of the insurgent States had gathered in force in Virginia, 
tinder officers who had left the United States army, and menaced 
Washington. It was necessary to meet them. On the 23d of May, 
the United States troops in three columns crossed the Potomac, and 
took possession of Alexandria and its vicinity, without any opposi- 
tion, although Colonel Ellsworth, a young and highly popular officer, 
was killed in attempting to lower a Confederate flag. 

The armies of the United States and of the Confederate States 
were, before the end of May, face to face, from the seaboard of Vir- 
ginia to its western limit. 

General McDowell with his large column covered Washington, 
confronting a Confederate army at Manassas Junction under General 
Beauregard. General Butler held Fortress Monroe, with twelve 
thousand men, held in check by the Confederate General Magruder. 
General Paterson was at Harper's Ferry, opposed by General J. E. 
Johnston ; and the United States Generals McClellan and Rosecrans 
were operating on Western Virginia. 

Fortifications were thrown up from the Chain Bridge to Alexan- 
dria, forming the first line of defence of Washington ; and as the 
enemy had planted batteries on the southern bank of the Potomac 
to prevent the navigation of that river, Commander Ward organized 
a flotilla, which, on the 29th of May, had a sharp action with Confed- 
erate batteries at Acqula Creek. 

Some of the earliest military operations, however, took place in 
Western Virginia. As the people there were generally adverse to 
the secession movement, they held the action of Governor Letcher 
and his Legislature to be a dissolution of government in Virsrinia. 
So they called a convention, and formed a provisional government 



734 GENERAL MCCLELLAN TAKES COMMAND. 

for the State. This was subsequently recognized by the Govern- 
ment of the United States, and through it the new State of West 
Virginia was finally formed. 

When Virginia joined the Southern Confederacy, it gave command 
of its forces to Robert E. Lee, son of a Revolutionary officer, and re- 
lated to the family of Washington. Lee had enjoyed the confidence 
of General Scott up to the action of Virginia, when he resigned his 
commission in the United States army, and received the appointment 
from his own State. To control West Virginia, he sent a force under 
Colonel Porterfield ; but the Union men were already organizing, and 
General George B. McClellan was appointed to the command of the 
Department of Ohio, which included Western Virginia. On the 26th 
of May, Colonel Kelley, with the First Virginia Regiment, advanced 
upon Grafton. Porterfield fled, but Kelley, operating in conjunction 
with Ohio and Indiana troops under Dumont, planned the surprise and 
capture of Porterfield at Philippi. Kelley, delayed by the darkness 
and a storm, had a longer distance to march, and did not come up in 
time ; but Dumont routed Porterfield, and Kelley joining in pursuit, 
completed his overthrow. The enemy's camp, with arms, horses and 
supplies, was captured, and confidence was at once given to all in the 
Western part of Virginia, who wished to adhere to the old Govern- 
ment of the country. Wallace with other Indiana troops, made a 
dash at Romney, and for a time with great gallantry thwarted the 
movements of the enemy. 

On the 23d of June, McClellan took command in person at Graf- 
ton, the troops organized by him numbering twenty thousand. With 
these he commenced operations against General Garnett, the Confed- 
erate commander. Col. Rosecrans, scaling the mountains, attacked 



I'EGRAM SURRENDERED — FORTRESS MONROE. 735 

one of Garnett's divisions under Pegram, at Rich Mountain, and, in 
spite of artillery, drove them down the mountain-side with a loss of 
four hundred men. As McClellan approached, Pegram fled, exposing 
Garnett's rear. That commander in turn endeavored to escape into 
the wild mountains of the Cheat Range, abandoning all his artillery 
except one piece. The whole Confederate force was thus by a single 
blow scattered. Pegram, after a vain endeavor to escape, finally sur- 
rendered on the 14th, with his force almost starving. Garnett re- 
treated along Cheat River, hotly pursued till he reached Carrick's 
Ford. There, on the 13th of July, he made a stand, but his troops 
broke before the charge of the Western troops, who crossed the river 
under a heavy fire. In the endeavor to rally them, Garnett was 
killed. The Confederate force was for the time broken up. A small 
portion, rallied by Colonel Ramsey, reached Jackson's command be- 
yond the Allegha-nies, but the army of Western Virginia had lost 
twelve hundred in killed, wounded, and prisoners, and great quantities 
of arms and stores. General Co.x had successfully occupied the 
Kanawha valley, and for a time Western Virginia seemed secure. 

Fortress Monroe, situated at the mouth of the James River, had been 
reinforced, and was held by a large force under General Butler, and 
armed vessels blockaded the rivers emptying into the Chesapeake, 
making it easy for the United .States Government to commence opera- 
tions from that point. But the first operations in this part of Virginia 
were ill-managed and disastrous. A force sent out to surprise a party 
of the enemy at Big Bethel was repulsed with considerable loss. 

When General Scott, urged by the voice of the Northern press and 
people, resolved to assume the offensive, an army of thirty thousand 
men, under General Irvine McDowell, moved out of the defences of 



/o 



6 MCDOWELL WITHDREW TO CENTREVILLE. 



Washington. These forces were in five divisions, under Generals 
Tyler and Runyon, and Colonels Hunter, Heintzelman, and Miles. 
The enemy lay behind a small stream called Bull's Run, a branch of 
the Occoquan, its rocky, wooded banks forming an excellent natural 
fortification. 

On the 17th of July, Tyler, with the right wing, advanced by the 
Georgetown road ; Hunter, with the centre, on the Leesburgand Cen- 
treville road ; the left wing, under Heintzelman and Miles, by the 
Little River turnpike and Braddock road. Fairfax Caurt-House 
was occupied without a blow. The next day he made a feint with 
Tyler's division against Longstreet's position at Blackburn's Ford. 
A sharp engagement ensued, in which Massachusetts, Michigan, and 
New York troops were matched against troops from various States 
of the South. After a loss of about seventy-five on each side, Mc- 
Dowell withdrew his troops to Centreville. It had been his plan to 
turn the enemy's right flank, but a reconnoissance proved this to be 
impracticable. It was, however, necessary to engage the enemy at 
once, as the term of service of many of his troops was expiring, An 
attack in front was not to be thought of ; but he resolved to try and 
turn their left, force them from the Stone Bridge, and, by seizing the 
Manassas Gap Railway, break their connections and force them to 
fall back. Beauregard on his side was preparing to attack McDowell. 
The War Department at Richmond ordered Johnson to elude Patter- 
son and join Beauregard. 

The battle opened by Tyler's vigorous attack on Evans at the Stone 
Bridge. Then Hunter made a real attack, crossing at Sudley's Ford, 
at half-past nine, and marching down to take the Stone Bridge on 
that side. As Evans saw his rear menaced, he fell back about a mile 



p 



"JACKSON STANDS LIKE A STONE WALL." 737 

to the intersection of the Sudley Road and Young's Branch. Here 
the battle raged furiously ; the Confederate line wavered under the 
charge, but General Bee hastened up with reinforcements. Hunter 
was supported, but the enemy's fire was carrying havoc through his 
line. Hunter was borne off wounded ; Colonel Slocum and Major 
Ballou were struck down. Porter, however, came up, and again the 
Confederates were checked, while over a ridge looking toward Bull 
Run came Heintzelman's fresh division. Crossing above the Stone 
Bridge, Keyes' division, led by Sherman, with the New York Sixty- 
Ninth, crossed above the Stone Bridge, and taking in flank the Con- 
federates retreating before Hunter's onset, drove them back on the 
reserve under Jackson. " Form ! form !" cried Bee to his disheart- 
ened men ; " there stands Jackson like a stone wall." Form they did, 
and from that time forth that cool and able commander was known as 
" Stonewall Jackson," The Confederates were, however, fast losing 
the day. Their left had been turned, an important road gained, and 
their line driven back from its original position a mile and a half. 
They now held strong ground : a high plateau admirably adapted for 
defence. Before it lay McDowell's three divisions well placed, Heint- 
zelnian on the right. Hunter in the centre, and Tyler on the left. 

To meet the coming attack, Johnson and Beauregard called up all 
the troops they could spare, leaving points in their line open to attack 
by McDowell's reserves before them. At last the attack began. 
The battle raged around the Robinson and Henry houses. Around 
Ricketts' and Grififin's batteries, from one o'clock to three, the hostile 
lines surged backward and forward. The batteries were captured 
and retaken, the Robinson house gained and lost. At last the United 
States troops seemed unable to carry the plateau. But the Confed- 



738 THE GREAT CUNFEDERATE VICTORY. 

erates were exhausted and dangerously exposed ; McDowell's fresh 
troops were gaining their exposed positions. The day seemed lost. 
Their only hope was in some fresh regiments under Early. A cloud 
of dust in the direction of the Manassas Gap railroad filled them with 
anxiety, as they were supposed to be United States troops. To their 
joy they proved to be not United States troops, but an unexpected 
Confederate reinforcement under E. Kirby Smith. This decided the 
day. Four thousand fresh men gave a new spirit to the Confeder- 
ates. Hurled once more on the Union lines, already priding them- 
selves Dn a victory, they changed the face of affairs. The United 
States troops were swept downthe plateau. Regiment after regiment 
gave way, a panic spread ; and it became a general rout. The right, 
after a gallant fight, had been outnumbered, and was in a disorderly 
retreat, losing men arms, and artillery at every step. Hoping to cut 
off their retreat Johnston hurled Ewell on the American right at 
Centreville, but Davles sent them back in utter confusion by his 
fearful volleys. McDowell did what was possible to cover the flight 
of his right wing, but his army was hopelessly shattered, and he fell 
back to the intrenchments before Washington. 

In this battle, really hard fought, though by raw troops and inex- 
perienced commanders, the Confederate loss was one thousand eight 
hundred and ninety-seven, while that of the United States army was 
much more severe. McDowell left the enemy in full possession of 
the field, and lost fully three thousand men, twenty-eight cannon, 
six thousand muskets, and a very large quantity of ammunition. 

This victory of the Confederates decided the campaign on the 
Potomac. All the rest of the year the two armies lay watching each 
other. 



JEFFERSON CITY OCCUPIED BY GENERAL LYON. 739 

The battle of Bull Run was a barren victory for the South, except 
in the enthusiasm which it excited. Both sides felt that the war was 
to be a lono- and bitter struggle. Every means was employed to col- 
lect and equip armies for the field. President Lincoln issued a call 
for half a million of men, and soldiers were enlisted for the war. 

The active operations that next attract attention, are those m the 
border States, Kentucky and Missouri, where part of the people sym- 
pathized with the South, and the rest still adhered to the old govern- 
ment of the United States. 

In Missouri matters were in a critical condition ; the Confederates 
had virtually gained the State, and Missouri could be saved only by 
an able man. Itwas fortunately confided to General Nathaniel Lyon. 
When General Lyon succeeded Harney in command of the Depart- 
.^.ent of Missouri, Governor J ackson saw that disguise was useless with 
that decisive oi^cer. He began to collect his forces at Jefferson City 
to be.in the battle for the possession of the State. Lyon moved 
promptly. Sending Colonel Sigel ahead by land with the Second Mis- 
souri regiment, he embarked on two steamers with the remainder of 
his troops, including a few regulars, and numbering in all about two 
thousand men. He entered Jefferson City on the 15th of June, to 
find that Jackson and Price had retreated to Booneville, some forty 
miles further up, destroying bridges and telegraphs as they went. 
Lyon pushed on in pursuit, and on the i6th came upon the Confed- 
erates under Marmaduke, advantageously posted about eight miles 
below Booneville. Lyon at once formed his men on a rising ground, 
the reoulars and Blair's volunteers on the left by a field of waving 
corn -^the left, of volunteers under Shaffer, near a grove. Totten s 
artillery opened the battle, and the left charged, the right also moving 



740 GENERAL LYON FALLS BACK ON CARTHAGE. 

steadily on. The Confederates were driven from their position, but 
rallied, and again endeavored to regain the day ; but the rush of the 
United States forces was irresistible. The Confederates broke and 
fled to Booneville, leaving their camp, provisions, arms, and stores to 
Lyon. That commander occupied Booneville ; but as Price had fled 
to the southwest to form a junction with a Confederate force under 
Ben McCulloch, he pushed on in pursuit with about three thousand 
men, being compelled to leave some to hold various points. On 
the 5th of July, Colonel Sigel, with the advance of Lyon's army, en- 
gaged the Confederates near Carthage. There he inflicted severe loss 
on the enemy, but, being unable to rout them, had to fall back upon 
Lyon at Springfield. That general was no longer in full command. 
General Fremont had been appointed to the Department of the West, 
and General Lyon was left to his own resources. Volunteers had 
swelled his little force, but before was Price's army reinforced by 
Generals McCulloch and Pierce, with troops of Arkansas and Texas, 
numbering in all nearly thirty thousand men. Lyon advanced to 
meet the enemy, but his appeals to General Fremont for reinforce- 
ments and supplies were unheeded. He fell back to Springfield. 

The Confederates under McCulloch advanced upon that town, and 
Lyon found that there was no alternative except to move out and at- 
tack him in his camp at Wilson's Creek, ten miles southwest of Spring- 
field. On the loth of August, the United States forces moved upon 
the Confederate camp in two columns, one under General Lyon, to 
attack the northern point, the'other, under Colonel SIgel, to attack the 
southern. Lyon began his attack at daybreak, meeting a stubborn re- 
sistance. Two or three times his troops recoiled, but were rallied, till 
the enemy gave way. Then there was a lull, and McCulloch charged 



DEATH OF LYON — SPRINGFIELD OCCUPIED. 74 1 

with his whole line. Sigel had made no impression on the southern 
line, and, indeed, acted with so little energy and caution that he was 
surprised and routed, leaving Lyon to bear the brunt of the battle 
alone. For an hour the contest raged furiously, sometimes one side 
gaining a little ground, then the other. Lyon, ever in the thickest of 
the fight, while rallying some disordered troops was wounded iu the 
head and leg, and had his horse killed under him. Mounting another 
horse, he charged at the head of the Second Kansas regiment. Almost 
at the same instant. Colonel Mitchell of that regiment and G-eneral 
Lyon fell, the latter dead, pierced through the breast by a rifle-ball. 
But the battle kept on. The United States troops fought with the en- 
ergy of despair, and at last beat back the last assault of the enemy. 
Again on the battle-field the thunder of cannon and the rattle of fire- 
arms died away : all was silent but the groans of the wounded. The 
American officers held council as to the best mode of retreat. Sud- 
denly hope sprang up. From the direction Avhere Sigel had been sent 
came a column with the American flag. They approached, but sud- 
denly opened a deadly fire. Again the battle was renewed with des- 
perate fury. In spite of the fierce charges of the Confederates, the United 
States troops, drawn up in a favorable position, held their ground more 
firmly than earlier iu the day. Though attacked almost muzzle to muz- 
zle, they did not flinch ; the fierce waves of attack surged upon them in 
vain, till a flank movement on the enemies' line again drove them off. 
Major Sturgis, who had so ably continued the desperate battle, 
seized the opportunity, and moved slowly out to the open prairie, and 
unpursued gained Springfield, the enemy having been too severely 
handled to molest his march. On the way he heard of the utter rou/ 
of Sigel's command. 



742 CONFEDERATE VIC I'OKV AT LEXINGTON. 

Considering the numbers engaged, the Battle of Wilson's Creek 
showed severe losses. The United States officers admitted a loss of 
one thousand two hundred and eighty-five ; the Confederates, one 
thousand and ninety-five — the real losses being undoubtedly muck 
•larger, as every commander tries to make his own loss as light as 
possible. But the field was left to the Confederates, with six pieces of 
artillery and several hundred stand of arms. At Springfield, Sigel 
appeared, and assuming command, retreated to Rolla, eluding Price 
and McCulloch. 

The death of General Lyon, who so thoroughly understood the 
position of affairs and the plans of the Confederates, was a severe 
blow to the Union cause. 

The disaster at Wilson's Creek was not the only result of Fremont's 
inefficiency and neglect. Colonel James A. Mulligan had been or- 
dered to occupy Lexington, with a force of about twenty-five hundred 
men. Here he was left utterly unsupported till a hostile force to 
the number of ten thousand men assailed him before he had time to 
throw up any sufficient works. Mulligan, however, never doubting 
but that support would come, met the first attack, and repulsed it, so 
that the enemy asked leave to bur}'' their dead. On the 18th of Sep- 
tember, a Confederate army under General Price, numbering twenty, 
eight thousand, invested the place, but Mulligan refused to sur- 
render. He kept up a vigorous defense for fifty-two hours, till the 
last cartridge was fired. Then his troops laid down their useless arms, 
and surrendered as prisoners of war. 

This victory gave the Confederates three thousand stand of arma 
artillery, stores, and nearly a million of dollars in money. 

Roused to action at last, Fremont in a proclamation declared mar 



I 



FREMONT SUPERSEDED liV DUXTER. y\;^ 

tial law, and emancipated the slaves of those who should be proven 
to have taken an active part with the enemy in the field. This step, 
as premature, called forth a protest from President Lincoln, who or- 
dered it to be modified so as to agree with an act passed by Congress 
on the 6th of August, 18G1. 

On the 27th of September, Fremont began his march from St. 
Louis, at the head of an imposing force of thirty thousand men ; but 
it moved slowly. A brilliaui dash was made by Major Frank J. 
White from Lexington ; end Colonel Zagoiiyi, of " Fremont's Body 
Gruard," on the 24th of October stormed the Confederate camp at 
Springfield, and drove them from the town with severe loss. 

Price, with the main body of the Confederates, fell back rapidly, and 
would have escaped without loss but for the movements of General 
Lane from Kansas, which inflicted some loss on the retiring columns. 
Some troops under Colonels Carlin and Plumner engaged the Confed- 
rates under General Jefferson Thompson, near Fredericktown, in the 
southeast part of the State, and defeated them with severe loss. 

Just as Fremont was on the eve of engaging the enemy and doing 
something to justify his command, he was superseded by General Hunter. 

Kentucky, like Missouri, was divided. The Governor and many of 
those under him were really Confederates ; but there was a strong por- 
tion of the people opposed to secession. In the hope of ultimately car- 
rying out his view. Governor Magoffin proposed a neutrality, agreeing 
to keep the Confederate troops off the territory of Kentucky ; but as 
he allowed open recruiting for the Confederate army, and the occupa- 
tion of some islands in the Mississippi, although the people of the 
State at a special election showed their strong attachment to the Union, 
the United States Government no longer hesitated, and sent in troops 



744 KENTUCKY BECOMES A BATTLE GROUND. 

under General Anderson. Magoffin still endeavored to play into the 
hands of the Confederates ; but when he called the Legislature together 
it proved so strongly Union that the Confederates took alarm, and 
General Leonidas Polk, who had laid aside his position as bishop in 
the Episcopal Church, took possession of Columbus in Kentucky. The 
United States forces at Cairo were now under the command of Gen- 
eral Ulysses S. Grant, and he at once occupied Paducah. The Legis- 
lature of Kentucky compelled the Governor to call upon the Confed- 
erates to retire from the State, but they treated the request with con- 
tempt, and sent General Zollicoffer to occupy Cumberland Gap, an im- 
portant pass in the mountains in the eastern part of the State. Buck- 
ner, Magoffin's inspector general, now, as a brigadier general in the 
Confederate army, seized Bowling Green. 

While Kentucky was thus preparing to become a battle-ground, some 
sharp actions had taken place in Western Virginia, the shrewd policy 
of the original seceding States being to have as much fighting as possi- 
ble done in the Border States. 

Rosecrans, the able successor of McClellan. came up with the Con- 
federates under Floyd, at Carnifex Ferry, late on the 10th of Septem- 
ber. A reconnoissance under General Benham, to ascertain the exact 
position of General Floyd's forces, which were intrenched in a dense 
forest that prevented their works being seen more than three hundred 
yards, brought on a sharp action. The enemy opened fire along their 
■whole line, disclosing their position. Benham at once attacked with the 
Tenth Ohio, Colonel Lytle, on the right, and the Thirteenth on the 
left. Both attacked gallantly and suffered severely. Colonel Lowe, 
leading up the Twelfth Ohio over a rugged route to attack in front, was 
killed at the head of his men. 



CAMPAIGN IN WEST VIRGINIA CLOSED. 745 

Before they could carry the works it became pitch dark, and General 
Rosecrans suspended operations till morning. Then it was discovered that 
Floyd had fled during the night, abandoning his camp and his strong works. 

Other operations followed iu that difficult mountain region, through 
trackless woods and ranges where troops could move but slowly. Gen- 
eral Re3'nolds effectually held the able Lee in check at Cheat Moun- 
tain Pass, a position of great strength, until, weary of acting on the 
defensive, he made a bold dash on his works at Greenbriar, October 2, 
1861. Soon after. General Kelley drove the Confederates under 
McDonald and Monroe out of Romney, inflicting severe loss in men 
and war material. Thus the war raged in that wild section, assuming 
at last the most ferocious character. Guyandotte, held by a small 
party of United States troops, was surprised on the 10th of November, 
and every soldier was butchered, no quarter being given, and, as was 
charged, the citizens of the place joining in the work of shooting down 
the soldiers. In a few daj'S, however, a large force of United States 
troops under Colonel Zeigler entered the place, and, learning the facts, 
burned the town. 

Rosecrans was still holding Floyd, and hoped to capture hii whole 
force. A plan for crossing New River, at a neglected ford, was de- 
feated by the sudden rise of the river ; bat another plan promised suc- 
cess. General Benham Avas sent over with orders to push on to Cas- 
siday's Mill, and hold that key of Floyd's position, commanding his 
only line of retreat. But neglecting this, Benhaia allowed Floyd to 
escape, and could only inflict some damage by attacking his rear. 
Still Floyd's flight put an end to the campaign in Western Virginia. 
General Lee had been summoned to a more important command. Rose- 
crans, taking his position at Wheeling, had merely to hold what had 



746 FRANCE AND ENGLAND RECOGNIZE BELLIGERENCY. 

been gained in Western Virginia, which now formally efiFected its sepa- 
ration from the eastern portion of the State, and formed a new one 
under the name of Kanawha, although that of Western Virginia was 
finally adopted as the official title. 

The campaign of 1861 had been on the part of the United States 
Government rather defensive than offensive. 

The defense of Washington, of Western Virginia, Kentucky, and 
Missouri had been the objects, and notwithstanding the terrible re- 
verse at Bull Run, these points had to a great extent been gained. 
Washington was safe, West Virginia firmly held, Kentucky had de- 
cided for the Union, and Missouri, though leaning strongly to the 
South, was held by the United States troops. 

The troubles in the United States excited great interest in Europe. 
The downfall of the great American Republic was considered certain, 
and the Governments of Great Britain and France were swayed by 
this popular feeling. Almost immediately after the commencement of 
the secession movement, England and France recognized the seceding 
States as belligerents. A congress of the great European powers, held 
at Paris, in 1856, had proposed the abolition of privateering : the United 
States Government had hesitated to accede to this unless there was a 
general exemption of private property from seizure at sea. Soon 
after Mr. Lincoln's accession to the Presidency, the Secretary of State 
notified the European powers that the United States accepted the 
action of the Congress of Paris ; but now England and France required 
that the articles of the Congress of Paris should not apply to the 
Southern Confederacy. They held the Confederate Government fully 
entitled to issue letters of marque, and send out privateers. England 
even went further : she permitted vessels to be built, manned, and 



PRIVATEER SAVANNAH CAPTURED. 747 



I 



equipped iu English ports, for service as Confederate privateers, and 
BO evidence could convince the British authorities of their real char- 
acter. At the same time, the ports of the British islands in the West 
Indies became the resort of these privateers, where they were always 
protected and supplied. On the other hand, the armed vessels of the 
United States were held to the strict rules governing the case of war 
with a recognized power. 

The ocean was soon covered with Confederate cruisers, and the 
shipping of the Northern States was exposed to utter destruction. 
Unable to carry their prizes into Southern ports, these privateers gen- 
erally destroyed the vessels captured. President Lincoln had by proc- 
lamation declared that privateers should be treated as pirates, but 
the matter was beset by diEBculties. 

On the 2d of June, 1861, the privateer Savannah sailed from 
Charleston, and the next day captured the brig Joseph, with a carga 
of sugar ; but the Savannah soon fell in with the Perry, a man-of-war, 
purposely disguised. Taking her for a merchantman, the Savannah 
ran down to attack her, till, discovering her mistake, she attempted tc 
escape. The Perry opened, and the Savannah surrendered. The 
captain and crew were taken to New York, indicted, and tried for 
piracy, but the jury failed to agree. A similar trial took place in 
Philadelphia, where the privateersmen were convicted. The Confed- 
erate Government at once took a number of United States prisoners 
drawn by lot as hostages, threatening to hang them should the priva- 
teersmen be executed. After a long detention, the privateersmen 
were at last treated as ordinary prisoners of war. 

The only course was for the United States to pursue these vessels at 
sea and capture them. This was a matter of the greatest difficulty. 



748 A REGULAR NAVAL BATTLE. 

The Sumter, escaping from New Orleans, though pursued, captuMd 
eight vessels near Cuba, burned one, and then extended her ravages 
among American shipping on the coast of Brazil, and finally ran over 
to Spain. Entering the port of Gribraltar, she was blockaded there by 
the United States gunboat Tuscarora, and was finally sold. The Petrel 
was destroyed by the United States frigate St. Lawrence, which she 
attacked unconscious of her real character. 

The only approach to a regular naval battle was the attempt made 
by Commodore Hollins, of the Confederate navy, to drive ofi" the 
United States fleet blockading the mouth of the Mississippi. The Con- 
federates had adopted a sort of steam-ram, generally made of some 
very solid tug-boat, the deck covered with a slanting roof of stout 
timbers, on which iron plates or railroad iron was laid. The bow of 
the boat was furnished with a solid point of timber covered with iron. 
This boat could be run with all the force of heavy steam-engines 
against a wooden ship, doing great damage, and yet receive no damage 
from a broadside. Hollins, with the steam-ram Manassas, of this kind, 
and five other vessels, during the night of the 11th of October, at- 
tacked the United States fleet under Commodore Pope, injuring the 
Richmond severely with the ram, captured a coal-schooner, and forced 
the fleet to retire beyond the bar. Two of the United States vessels 
actually got a ground, and might have been captured had the enemy 
shown any judgment. 

When the plans of the United States for reducing the Confederate 
States assumed the oifensive, one great object was to capture and hold 
the chief ports, and thus prevent the issuing of privateers or men-of- 
war, as well as the introduction of goods from foreign countries, es- 
pecially arms and supplies for their armies. 



FORT HATTERAS CAPTURED. 749 

The first of these operations was an expedition from Fortress Mon- 
roe, under Commodore Silas H. Stringham, with the Minnesota, 
Wabash, Pawnee, Monticello, Harriet Lane, and two transports, bear- 
ing a considerable land force under General Butler. The object was 
Fort Hatteras, on the North Carolina coast. They arrived off Hat- 
teras, on the 27th of August, and some troops and marines were 
landed and the men-of-war then opened fire on Fort Clark, a smaller 
Confederate work. The fort at first answered with spirit, but the fire 
gradually slackened, and finally ceased. The enemy, in fact, aban- 
doned it, and the United States troops entered, but could not hold it, 
as it lay in range of the guns of the fleet, which were now turned on 
Fort Hatteras. On the 29th, that work suffered a furious bombard- 
ment, the ships pouring in effective broadsides. But the Confederates 
resisted sturdily till an eleven-inch shell exploded in their bombproof 
so near the magazine as to show them that resistance was hopeless. 
The white flag was then raised. Commodore Barron, the Confederate 
commander, sought to obtain favorable terms, but Butler would grant 
none except that they should be treated as prisoners of war. 

The fort was at once occupied, and expeditions from it planned 
against other points. But no great result followed : a movement 
agaist Chicoraicomico, with a view to reduce Roanoke Island, weli-nigh 
proved a serious disaster. 



CHAPTER II. 



The War in the West — Minor Operations— Battle of Belmont— Grant's First Action— Polk Crosses 
to Relieve his Men — Desperate Fighting— Grant Succeeds in Reaching his Gunboats— The Port 
Royal Expedition — A FoothoUi in South Carolina — Operations witli no Great Result — The 
Slidell-Mason Affair — Commodore AYilkes— Attitude of the British Government — SlidcU and 
Mason Given Up— Pope's Missouri Campaign— The Confederate Line in the West— Prepara- 
tions to Break it. 



The war in the West still partoolf of the character of scattered uncon- 
nected operations, which had no bearing on each other, or on an}' general 
result. The following sketch will give an account of two of these minor 
operations in Missouri, in which the gallant Majors Gavitt and Tan- 
ner fell. 

The rapid change of commanders in Missouri and the uncertain 
movements of the army had given the Confederates fresh courage. 
Many of the people of Missouri sympathized with them, and before 
long the State swarmed with small hostile parties. These were met 
in turn by United States troops and local troops, giving the war a 
terrible character, desolating the whole State, and imbittering the 
feelings of the people against each other. Such operations are the 
unfortunate result of civil war, where neighbor is arrayed against 
neighbor, and even brother against brother. 

The next battle was one fought at Belmont, a little place in Missouri, 
on the bank of the Mississippi. General Polk, after occu{)ying Co- 
lumbus, in Kentucky, had taken possession of Belmont, which was be- 



GENERAL GRANT AT BELMONT. 75 1 

low ground, completely under the guns of a force at Columbus. General 
Ul3'sses S. Grant, who was in command at Cairo, could not, however, 
allow the enemy to hold both sides of the river, and resolved to break 
up the post at Belmont. He also wished to prevent any movement 
by General Polk in Missouri. On the 6th of November, he left Cairo, 
with two thousand eight hundred and fifty men, on board several 
steamers, and dropped down the river, landing his men, while some of 
the steamers kept on and engaged the batteries at Columbus. The 
United States troops, Illinois and Iowa volunteers, puslied on till they 
met the enemy under Colonel Tappan, and drove them in. A stand was 
made, but they were finally routed, and retreated to their transports 
at the waterside, leaving their camp in Grant's hands. When he had 
destroyed their war material, he prepared to return, but the troops 
had fallen into some disorder, when they were encountered by General 
Pillow, who had been sent over by General Polk with three regiments. 
In a few moments the battle was renewed, Polk's batteries at Colum- 
bus pouring in their volleys, and fresh troops landing from that place, 
first three regiments, then three more, under General Cheatham, fol- 
lowed at last by Polk in person, with two other regiments. In spite 
of the United States gunboats these all landed, and it seemed for a 
time as though Grant could never reach his boats. But at last, after 
a desperate fight, in which that general's horse was killed under him. 
and a heavy loss of life, the troops reached the riverside. There the 
enemy charged again furiously, but by gunboats, musketry, and artil- 
lery they were at last driven off. This hard-fought battle lasted from 
half-past ten in the morning to five in the afternoon, almost without 
cessation, and cost the United States more than six hundred killed, 
wounded, and missing. The Confederates lost their camp, an4 some 



752 ARMY OF THE POTOMAC RE-ORGANIZED. 

artillery and small arms, and about a thousand killed, wounded, or 
taken. They claimed it as a victory, but at once abandoned Belmont, 
so that Grant, though at heavy cost, attained his object. 

One of the earliest aims of President Lincoln was to secure the 
Southern ports. He issued a proclamation declaring all the ports on 
the coast from South Carolina to Texas to be blockaded. A subsequent 
proclamation included those of Virginia and North Carolina. 

The next step was to take military possession of the chief harbors. 
As the United States by its naval vessels controlled the whole coast, 
it was easy to fit out expeditions and send steamers carrying troops, 
well equipped and supplied, against any Southern seaboard city. Gen- 
eral Butler was sent to occupy Hatteras in North Carolina. Further 
south lay Fort Pickens, near the old Spanish city of Pensacola, which 
the French and Spaniards had taken and retaken in the preceding cen- 
tury. The stars and stripes still floated over this fort, and from it an 
attempt was made to secure Pensacola. Some New York volunteers 
encamped on Santa Rosa Island, near Fort Pickens, but they were 
surprised at night by a Confederate force under General Anderson, on 
the 9th of October, and an irregular fight ensued. In November, the 
United States squadron, with Fort Pickens, for a time bombarded Fort 
McRae, which was held by the Confederates. They silenced it and 
destroyed a number of houses in the town of Warrington. 

We will now return to the operations near Washington. After the 
disaster at Bull's Eun, a reorganization of the departments was made, 
and General McClellan, whose success in Western Virginia had in- 
spired confidence, was called to command the army covering Washing- 
ton, as well as the whole Departmenc of Washington, and that of 
Northeastern Virginia. He at once proceeded to organize the forces 



DISASTER AT SALL S BLUFF. 753 

under Lis command : a better discipline was introduced ; inefficient offi- 
cers removed, irregular habits suppressed, and careful drilling enforced. 
At the same time, the fortifications south of the Potomac were com- 
pleted under the supervision of the best engineers. 

The Army of the Potomac lay watching the Confederate movements. 
The first operation against the enemy was a disaster. The Confeder- 
ates began to fall back from the Potomac. Brigadier-General Stone, 
commanding at Edward's Ferry, received orders to throw a part of 
his force across the river. 

Nineteen hundred men sent across under Col. E. D. Baker, were 
crushed at Ball's Bluff by a superior force, and with their leader 
killed or taken. 

The reverse at Bull's Bluff, in which the United States lost a thou- 
sand men, was atoned for in part soon after by a brief action at Draines- 
ville, in which General McCall defeated General J. E. B. Stuart, and 
drove hira from the field with severe loss, capturing a considerable 
quantity of forage. 

On the 31st of October, 1861, Lieutenant-General Scott, overcome 
by age and infirmities, resigned the high position which he had so long 
honorably filled. The cares and anxieties of a great war had pros- 
trated his failing health, and though all regretted his retirement, it 
was felt that the step was indeed a necessary one. 

General McClellan, already at the head of the Army of the Poto- 
mac, then assumed the command of the armies of the United States. 

Almost at the moment of this change, a formidable expedition sailed 
from Fortress Monroe, Commodore Samuel F. Dupont, with a large 
flaet, conveying an army under the command of General Thomas W. 



754 PORT ROYAL OCCUPIED BY THE FEDERALS. 

Sherman. The object was to occupy a port in South Carolina. Port 
Royal, where Ribault planted his little French colony, was a fine port, 
the entrance being the best channel for ships below Norfolk. Although 
efforts had been made to cover the plans with the vail of secrecy, the 
Confederate Government received early information, and planted 
strong works at the mouth of the menaced harbor — Fort Beauregard 
on Bay Point, and Fort Walker on Hilton Head. The expedition 
sailed on the 29th of October, and after suffering much in a severe 
gale, arrived at the channel on the 5th of November. After recon- 
noitring the position of the enemy's forts and vessels. Commodore 
Dupont, on the 7th, began his attack. His ships in line swept into the 
harbor, delivering one broadside to Fort Walker as they passed, and 
wheeling, poured another into Fort Beauregard. Piound and round 
Sfent the terrible line of ships. The Confederates for a time replied, 
but when the Wabash and Susquehanna for the third time poured iu 
their deadly broadside. Fort Walker made no response. The Confed- 
erates had abandoned the fort and fled to the woods. A small squad- 
ron then proceeded to invest Fort Beauregard, but that too was found 
tenantless. Both works were at once occupied by the troops of the 
United States, and Port Royal became a stirring and busy place, being 
to the close of the war the great centre of operations against the 
South. As soon as the troops landed, negroes began to flock to the 
camp, bringing cattle, poultry, horses, and mules, and they soon formed 
a camp of their own, occupying many of the abandoned houses. Some 
of these people were employed in fishing and gathering cotton, but 
most of them looked upon the war as their great deliverance from all 
work. The Confederates attempted to prevent any advantage arising 
to the United States, by planting forces at the points by which they 



MASON AND SLIDELL THE TRENT AFFAIR. 755 

could operate against Charleston or Savannah ; but the gunboats and 
land forces, on the 1st day of January, 1862, drove off with severe 
loss the troops who attempted to hold Port Royal Ferry and 
Seabrook. 

Meanwhile, a strange affair occuri'ed on the ocean, which convulsed 
England and America, and forced the former power to show all her 
concealed hatred of the United States, which she had been masking 
under the pretence of neutrality. Commodore Wilkes, in the San 
Jacinto, returning from the coast of Africa, heard that Mason and 
Slidell, sent out as ambassadors of the Confederate Government to 
England and France, were endeavoring to reach English territory in 
the British mail-steamer Trent, running from Havana. He resolved 
to capture them, and, overhauling the San Jacinto, took them off, 
and carried them to the United States, where they were committed to 
prison. The British Government acted with great haughtiness, de- 
manding the surrender of the prisoners, and reparation. The Secre- 
tary of State of the United States showed that by the uniform rulings 
of British courts and authors, the seizure of contraband dispatcher, 
on a neutral was justifiable ; and that the British Government was no^ 
taking the ground heretofore taken by Americans, and always denied 
b}' England. Hence, as the United States had not ordered the course 
of Commodore Wilkes, and could not defend it on American grounds, 
they were accordingly given up. The British Government had 
showed its real feeling, and it was now evident that on any slight pre- 
text it would take part in the war, and assist the Confederates ia 
establishing their independence. 

Carrying out its plan of controlling the Southern ports, the United 
States attempted to close some of them by sinking vessels loaded with 



756 REPEATED FLIGHTS OF GENERAL PRICE. 

stones in the main channels, adopting the plan followed by the British 
Government at Boulogne and Alexandria. As a basis of operation* 
against New Orleans, Ship Island in the Gulf of Mexico was occupied 
early in December. 

Missouri continued to be the scene of military operations and gue- 
rilla warfare. General Hunter, on succeeding Fremont, fell back, and 
the Confederates advanced ; but Halleck, taking command of th& 
department, assumed the offensive, and some advantages were gained, 
Brigadier-General Pope acquiring renown by a successful engagement 
at Clear Creek, in which he captured a Confederate force under Colonel 
Robinson, numbering one thousand three hundred, with all their arms 
and supplies. Alarmed at this. General Price retreated for a time 
from Springfield, but soon rallied in force at that place with reinforce- 
ments from Arkansas. Against that point, in February, a combined 
movement of the United States troops under Sigel, Asboth, Davis, 
Curtis, and Prentiss was made. As the army under General Curtis 
approached, Price abandoned his winter quarters and fled, the state of 
the roads having prevented Curtis from cutting off his retreat. Curtis 
pushed rapidly on, capturing many detached parties of the enemy, 
«rho made no stand till he reached Sugar Creek, after being reinforced 
by Ben McCuUoch. The action there was a brief one, and Price 
again fled, losing heavily in men, influence, and war material. 

Kentucky was one of the Border States which showed least inclina- 
tion to join the fortunes of the Confederates, although a convention of 
secessionists held at Russelville, in November, passed an ordinance of 
secession, and attempted to organize a government. The Confeder- 
ates held Columbus and Hickman, while Buckner had a force at Bowl- 
ing Green, and a Confederate force under General Zollicoffer menaced 



ZOLLICOFFr:R DEFEATED riKEVILI.E. 75 7 

the State from Tennessee, at Cumberland Gap. General Zollicoffer's 
first movement was against Camp Wildcat, in Eock Castle County, 
held by only a single United States regiment under Colonel Garrard 
Thinking to surprise it, he advanced at the head of six regiments of in- 
fantry, with a large force of cavalry and artillery. But he reckoned 
without his host. General Schoepf had just reached the camp with a 
regiment of infantry and another of cavalry, and other troops were 
rapidly concentrating there. Amid the heavy growth of timber that 
covers the land, Zollicoffer approached between the London road and 
the Winding Blades road, and charged with a yell on Schoepf's line, 
to meet a terrible volley of musketry, which staggered and finally 
drove them back. Again Zollicoffer led his men up on the London 
road; but the reinforcements had come in — among the rest a battery of 
artillery, which was planted on a conical hill between the roads. As 
Zollicoffer charged again, covered by his artillery, this battery opened, 
and again he recoiled. A third attack, planned with care, and carried 
out with untold labor, was similarly repulsed. Volley after volley 
swept them away in confusion. 

Utterly defeated, Zollicoffer retreated to the Gap, and confined him- 
self to plundering the country. 

General Nelson was equally successful on the Virginia border. A 
considerable force of Confederates had entered Kentucky from Vir- 
ginia, and encamped at Ivy Mountain, near Pikeville. Nelson re- 
solved to dislodge them, and did so on the 9th of November, with very 
little loss, while a division of his force under Colonel Sill took Pikes- 
ville, and the Confederate force abandoned their positions and retreated 
to Virginia. 

Encouraged by these minor successes. General Don Ckrlos Bnell 



758 COLONEL GARFIELD DRIVES MARSHALL. 

resolved to make a movement against the enemy. In December he 
pushed forward .his centre, forty thousand strong, under General Alex- 
ander McDowell McCook, toward Bowling Green, which was held by 
Creneral Buckner with a large army. But the Confederate com- 
mander did not risk a battle : as McCook approached, Buckner fell 
back to the southern bank of Green Eiver, destroying as well as he 
could the fine iron bridge of the Louisville and Nashville railroad over 
that stream. McCook's advance guard, part of Willich's German regi- 
ment from Indiana, crossed the river on a temporary bridge, and en- 
camped near Munfordsville. General Hindman, the nearest Confederate 
commander, on the 17th of December sent a Texan force of Eangers 
under Terrj- to surprise Willich if possible. But this little party 
displayed singular courage and skill. Terry failed in his repeated 
charges to break or disorder their line, and was at last killed, with 
man}' of his men, the rest retreating. 

General Humphrey Marshall, once a representative of Kentuckj- in 
Congress, penetrated into Kentucky from Virginia, with a force of two 
or three thousand men, as far as Paintville, on the Big Sandy River, 
among the mountains in the eastern part of the State. Here he in- 
trenched himself; but when a force of United States troops under Colo- 
nel Garfield advanced upon him, Marshall broke up his camp and, 
destroying large quantities of stores, retreated. Garfield pursued with 
energy : coming up to a part near Prestonburg, he drove them in. On 
the 10th of January he engaged Marshall's main body, and after 
a struggle which lasted till night, drove Marshall from all his posi- 
tions. 

These advantages gave the Union men in Kentucky courage, and 
inspired the hope that the large army under Buell would by a vigor. 



FORTS HENRY AND DONELSON. 759 

oti3 campaign deliver the State from the presence of the Confeder- 
ates, and save it from being a battle-ground for bodies of skirmishers 
and a field for cavalry raids. 

The plan of the campaign that was to be decisive had occurred to 
several commanders, and was presented by them to the authorities at 
Washington. The Confederate line had one weak point, in the fact 
that the Tennesee and Cumberland were navigable rivers, where land 
and naval forces could co-operate. 

Thev had endeavored to prevent this by erecting Fort Henry and 
Fort Douelson, but those works were far from being sufficient to pre- 
vent an advance. Taking note of the remarkable course of these rivers, 
and knowing that during the season of high water the Tennessee 
and Cumberland were navigable for large vessels to the very heart of 
the South, Buell and Grant saw that if they could force open the navi- 
gation of those rivers by reducing Forts Henry and Donelson, they 
would not only take Columbus and Bowling Green in the rear, but 
force the whole Confederate line to fall back. On the 30th of January, 
1862, General Halleck gave Grant and Foote the requisite authority. 

On this movement, which was to conquer the Western Border States 
for the Union, all now deoended. 

The end of the first 3'ear of the war had been reached. Many had 
looked upon it as an insurrection to be put down in a few months ; a 
rebellion that Government could crush at once : but now saw that with 
so many States bound together in a new government, with earnest 
men at the head, and armies in the field supplied with the best arms, 
and commanded by officers of undisputed skill, bravery, and deter- 
mination, the struggle was to be a long and deadly one, if victory at 
last was won bv the United States Government. 



PART VI. 

THE CIVIL WAR CONTINUED-ABRAHAM LINCOLN, SIXTEENTH 

PRESIDENT-,S6I-5-i865. ^^^^ii-^iH 



CHAPTER III. 

BuELL's army was at last properlj^ oroanized and drilled to take 
the held, and moved in five divisions. Two, under McCook and Nelson 
were to combine in an attack on Bowling Green, with a third under 
General M.tchell as a reserve. General Thomas, with a fourth, was 
watch.n.g ZoUicoffer, who was near Somerset, and Crittenden, on the 
ng-ht. lay near Cumberland Gap. On tl,e iSth of fanuarv, the Con- 
federates made the first movement against Thomas' position at Mill 
Spnng. It was a night attack. At four in the mornino- they rushed 
on the camp of the United States forces, hoping to take it by surprise. 

760 



KENTUCKY WRESTED FROM CONFEDERATES. 76 1 

But they were on the alert, and for three hours a fierce fight went on 
amid the darkness of the forest. The men of Kentucky, Minnesota, 
Ohio, and Indiana bore the brunt, and finally, by a decisive charge, 
sent their assailants back in headlong flight, leaving . two pieces of 
artillery, and strewing the way with muskets and knapsacks. Then 
General Zollicoffer, coming in the confusion on a party of United 
States ofl&cers, was killed by Colonel Fry. They did not even halt at 
their intrenched camp, which was entered by the victors in their pur- 
suit, and taken with all its contents. In that direction Kentucky was 
wrested from the Confederates, and so discouraged were they that, 
fearing for all their forces in that State, General Beauregard was sent 
from Virginia to take command. Their main reliance was Fort Donel- 
son and Fort Henry, on the Tennessee and Cumberland, forming, with 
Columbus, a chain of posts deemed almost impregnable. Against 
these General Halleck had planned a movement, confiding its execu- 
tion to General Grant and Commodore Foote. Early in February 
they moved from Cairo, but the land force was delayed in its march, 
and, in fact, Grant thought himself rapid enough. Accordingly, when, 
on the 6th, Foote came in view of the Confederate work Fort Henry, 
General Grant had not arrived. This fort was a bastion earthwork, on 
the right bank of the Tennessee, armed with heavy guns, and inclosed 
in a line of breastworks for infantry. A road led from it across to 
Fort Donelson, on the left bank of the Cumberland. Without await- 
ing Grant's arrival, Foote resolved to attack at the hour he had 
appointed, without giving the enemy time to prepare. Advancing 
with his fleet in two divisions, he opened fire on Fort Henry, keeping 
steadily on till he was within six hundred yards. For a time the 
Confederate guns replied with vigor, even disabling the flag-ship Essex, 



762 THE TENNESSEE OPENED TO THE FEDERALS. 

but they soon lost all heart, as gun after gun became disabled, and most 
of the garrison fled ; so that when, after a contest of an hour and a 
quarter. General Tilghraaa found it impossible to induce the men to 
continue the fight, he ordered the infantry to retire to Fort Donelson, 
leaving him with his artillerists in the fort ; so that when the Confed- 
erates raised a white flag, there were only the commander, General 
Tilghman, and sixty to surrender. ■ 

General Grant arrived at the close of the engagement, and took pos- 
session of the works, but was too late to cut off the retreat of the fugitives. 

This second disaster of the Confederate cause deprived them of the 
Tennessee River, leaving it open to the United States gunboats. They 
were not slow to act : pushing ou, they compelled the enemy to abandon 
and fire nearly all their boats ou the river, a few only remaining to be 
captured by the flotilla, which penetrated to Florence, Alabama. 

Fort Donelson, on the Cumberland, forty miles above its mouth on 
the Ohio, was an extensive earthwork, on a commanding hill near 
the town of Dover, scientifically constructed, well supplied with artil- 
tery, and manned by at least thirteen thousand men. General Floyd 
commanded it, supported by Pillow and Buckner. Here it was evident 
that a desperate fight would be made. Concerting plans with Commo- 
dore Foote, General Grant moved upon it, and arriving before the 
fort on the 13th of February, posted his troops around it, skirmishing 
only to secui'e important positions. The next day Foote arrived, and 
with four ironclads and two wooden vessels opened fire on the fort. 
But the guns of Fort Donelson were better handled. After a severe 
fight, two vessels were disabled, and two seriously injured, so that he 
had to suspend the attack to repair. His fire had driven the Confed- 
erates from some of their batteries, but as the vessels drifted down 



GENERAL WALLACE A WORTHY FOEMAN. 763 

the river, the Confederates rallied, and the dear-bought advantage 
was lost. 

General Grant intrenched to await the return of the flotilla, but the 
Confederates were too wise to allow him to carry out his plan. Ee- 
solviug to cut their way out by the Wynn's Ferry road, they 
boldly attacked his right under McClernand, on the 15th, early in the 
morning. McClernand for a time stood the fierce onset of General 
Pillow, but gradually yielded. Buckner supported Pillow's attack by 
charging McClernand's left, the brigade of Colonel W. H. L. Wallace ; 
but that brigade stood firm, and drove Buckner back to his intrench- 
ments. "When, however, Pillow's success uncovered Wallace's flank, 
Buckner renewed the attack, and Wallace was driven back. McCler- 
nand's whole division was forced from the field a mile and a half, 
his headquarters captured, and five pieces of artillery taken. 

A brigade from General Lew. Wallace's division, coming to his 
relief, was mistaken for the enemy, and fired upon, adding to the 
general confusion. 

The Wynn's Ferry road was open to the Confederates, who might 
have retreated by it, but, in the hope of crushing Grant's whole army, 
they neglected to do so. 

When General Wallace came up to save McClernand's exhausted 
troops at noon, the Confederates formed on the ridge occupied during 
the night by McClernand, and they now charged upon Wallace's fresh 
troops with the same spirit they had shown earlier in the day. But 
they found in Wallace a foeman worthy of their steel : his steady line 
met their charge, and finally drove them back to their own intrench- 
raents. During all this bloody work. Grant had been on Commodore 
Foote'.s %g-?hip planning a combined movement. On arriving upon 



764 " UNCONDITIOXAL AND' IMMEDIATE SURRENDER." 

the field he saw that either side was ready to give way, if the other 
showed a bold front. He seized the opportunity, and ordered aa 
advance of his whole line. 

He threw his right, Iowa and Indiana men under General Smith, oil 
the Confederate left, strongly posted as it was on rising ground, with 
intrenchments and rifle-pits. The movement was successful. After a 
stubborn fight, the Confederates under Buckner, who had hurried to the 
spot, retired from their rifle-pits to their main works, leaving to Smith 
the ground that commanded the fort. 

These operations, in which the Confederate troops had fought bravely, 
showed them, however, that they could not hold out. The day's 
engagement had cost each side two thousand men in killed and 
wounded. A stormy debate ensued among the Confederate command- 
ers. Floyd would not surrender, nor would Pillow. They resigned 
command, and retired by night from the fort with part of the force, 
leaving General Buckner in command. In the morning, that com- 
mander sent a flag of truce to General Grant to propose a cessation 
of hostilities, and the appointment of commissiouers to agree upon 
terms of capitulation. 

Grant's repl}' was a memorable oiic; : "No terms except uncondi- 
tional and immediate surrender can be accepted. I propose to move 
immediately on jour works." 

Buckner, in a letter expressing his deep chagrin, accepted the terras 
and surrendered. 

The fighting had been close and earnest : the losses were heavy. Of 
the Confederates engaged, one thousand two hundred and thirty-six 
escaped with Pillow, two hundred and thirty-one were killed, and more 
than a thousand wounded. Thirteen thousand surrendered, with artillery. 



ANDREW JOHNSON MILITARY GOVERNOR OF TENNESSEE. 765 

muskets, ammunition, and supplies ; but the loss to the United States 
forces was five hundred killed and eight hundred wounded. 

Th^ victory at Fort Donelsou had not been purchased without 
severe loss, but to the Southern cause the fall of the two forts was 
beyond calculation. Their military plan east and west of the Alle- 
ghanies w^as to make lines of strong positions held by armies of their 
best men, in order to compel the armies of the United States to fight 
them in the border States, leaving those at the South, to a great 
extent, free from the horrors of war. In this way they made Virginia 
the battle-ground to the last ; but by the recent victories of Halleck, 
Grant and Foote, the Confederate armies found it impossible to hold 
their ground in Kentucky and Tennessee. 

The loss of Forts Heniy and Donelson completely broke the strong 
Confederate line. Bowling Green, Columbus, Clarksville, and Nash- 
ville were abandoned ; many heavy cannon which could not be moved 
were thrown into the river at Columbus, and great quantities of valuable 
stores were burned. 

General Albert S. Johnson, the Confederate commander, took up a 
new line lower down, occupying Island No. 10 in the Mississippi, New 
Madrid in Missouri, and Jackson in Tennessee. Here they prepared 
to make another effort to check the advance of the United States 
forces from the North. The Western troops, elated by their victories, 
expected to sweep all before them. 

Tennessee having been thus recovered, and being without a gov- 
ernment, the President appointed as military governor the Hon. 
Andrew Johnson, who had been Senator in his own State, its repre- 
sentative in Congress, its Governor, and Senator at Washington. He 
had earnestly opposed the secession movement, and now attempted to 



766 NEW MADRID ABANDONED. 

reorganize public affairs ; but though East Tennessee adhered to the 
Government of the United States, the western part submitted only to 
force. 

The Confederates were not allowed to hold their new line undis- 
turbed. Halleck resolved to break this. Early in March, G-eneral 
Pope invested the position at New Madrid, the western point of the 
new line. Here they had thrown up a strong four-bastioned earth- 
work, outside which were the encampments of a considerable force, 
the whole surrounded with a well-erected earthwork and ditch. It 
was manned by more than five thousand men under G-eneral McCown, a 
distinguished officer, formerly of the United States army. Although aided 
by gunboats, McCown, after some days' siege, seeing Pope's lines daily 
approach, abandoned his position, leaving artillery, field batteries, 
tents, and stores, and retired to Island No. 10. So precipitate was the 
flight, that their dead were left unburied, and candles burning in the 
tents. As this post commanded the river, and was below Island No. 10, 
it enabled the United States forces to cut off the enemy's retreat from 
that point. 

This was not the only military operation west of the Mississippi. 
Curtis, following up Price, pushed into Arkansas, the Confederates 
retreating until swelled by such reinforcements that they deemed it 
safe to make a stand. General Yan Dorn, appointed to the command 
of the Confederate forces, pushed on toward Missouri, to gain Cur- 
tis' rear. On the 6th of March he fell in with and attacked Sigel, 
marching to reinforce Curtis. Sigel cut his way through with some 
loss, and Curtis prepared to meet the enemy from an unexpected 
point On the 7th of March he drew up on Pea Ridge, to meet the 
combined forces of Van Dorn and Price, who were now between him 



BATTLE OF FEA RIDGE. 76/ 

and Missouri. Curtis threw out Oolonel Carr, whose brigade fought 
desperately, but was steadily driven back, losing, but regaining, some 
of their guns. Colonel Osterhaus, attacking the enemy's centre, met 
a similar result. Sigel held his own, but the position of affairs at 
nightfall was not cheering for the United States forces. 

The contending armies slept on their arms not more than three hun- 
dred 3ards apart. Each army prepared in the darkness of night for 
the decisive struggle. On a hill that towered two hundred feet high, 
Yan Dorn planted heavy batteries, with iufantr}^, forming his right. 
Cavalry and artillery protected his left. Sigel, opposed to Van Dorn's 
right, drew up his men well, and pushing on, opened an artillery fire, 
which was well sustained, and finally dislodged the enemy from the 
hill, Carr and Davis had more promptly driven in the centre and left, 
A-fter a furious battle, Van Dorn retreated, pursued for twelve miles 
by the victors. The fighting on both sides had been of the most des- 
perate character, and the losses were large. On the side of the 
United States, the loss in killed, wounded, and missing amounted to 
one thousand three hundred and fifty-one ; the Confederates admitted 
six hundred killed and wounded, but lost really more than their an- 
tagonists. In this bloodj^ fight, General Ben McCulloch, who had so 
long been the soul of energy, was killed, as well as Generals Mcintosh 
and Slack. In this battle the Confederates had a number of Indians 
under General Albert Pike, and many of Curtis' army were found 
tomahawked and scalped by the savage foe. 

The battle of Pea Ridge established the superiority of the United 
States west of the Mississippi ; and even the Indians, who had been 
led to share the fortunes of the Confederacy, began to waver, seeing 
nothing but utter ruin before them. 



768 ROANOKE ISLAND — FORT PULASKI. 

On the Atlantic coast, the year opened with another expedition of 
the naval and military forces. This was Burnside's expedition, also 
aimed at North Carolina. After severe storms, in which several ves- 
sels were wrecked, he reached Hatteras Inlet on the 13th of January, 
1862. Enteriiig Pamlico Sound, Captain Goldsborough, on the 7th of 
February, attacked the Confederate forts and flotilla. After a spir- 
ited action, the Confederate gunboats retired under the guns of the 
forts. Goldsborough then bombarded Fort Barton, at Pork Point, till 
ft was utterh- disabled: then General Burnside landed eleven thousand 
men on Koanoke Island. On the 8th, these advanced on the enemy's 
position, under the command of General Foster, Burnside remaining 
at the landing. The Confederates were strongly posted, but, though 
well defended, it was carried by assault, the enemy flying to the 
northern part of the island. There they, with all the other forts and 
troops on the island, finally surrendered. 

Further down the coast lay a United States force at Port Royal, 
gradually and slowly gaining ground. On the 10th of April, General 
Hunter's batteries, which had been planted around Fort Pulaski, the 
principal work defending the port of Savannah, opened on that work. 
So powerful were the cannon brought to bear on it, that in thirty 
hours' fire a practicable breach was made in its strong walls, and the 
Confederate commander. Colonel Olmstead, finding many of his guns 
dismounted, and the rifle-shots fast working their way to his magazine, 
surrendered the fort. 

This capture, due in no small degree to the engineering skill of 
General Q. A. Gillmore, cost the United States only one man. Some 
smaller forts, and Fort Clinch, at Fernaudina, Florida, were at once 
occupied, as well as Jacksonville, Apalachicola, and the ancient city 
of St. Augustine. 



CHAPTER IV. 

rhe Invasion of Ke\r Mexico by Sibley— Canby's Defence — The Fleet on the Mississippi— The 
Ram Fleet under Colonel Ellet— Memphis Yields— Butler's Louisiana Campaign — Farragnt's 
Naval Battle— Fort Jackson and Fort St. Philip— New Orleans Taken— The Fleet Ascends 
the River — First Operations against Vicksburg — The Chesapeake Naval Battle between the 
Merrimac and Monitor — The Confederate Government — Stanton — Shields defeats Jack- 
son — MeClellan's Peninsula Campaign — The Battle of Pittsburg Landing. 

New Mexico, a Territory lying far to the West, had from of old 
been claimed by Texas, and although to reduce and occupy it would 
really weaken and burthen the Southern Confederacy, an expedition 
of two thousand three hundred men under General Sibley, an officer 
who had shown great ability in the United States service during the 
Mexican and Indian wars, marched into the Territory from Texas, ia 
January, 1862. The United States forces were commanded by Gren- 
eral Canby, who had been in a manner abandoned to his own resources 
by the authorities at Washington : but he called out volunteers, and 
with his regulars prepared to defend the Territory. Sibley attacked 
him at Valverde, in February. The battle was long a doubtful one, 
but at last the Texans made a desperate charge, killing Captain McRae 
and Lieutenant Michler at their guns, and routing the regulars and 
volunteers who formed the infantry support. A total rout ensued. 
Canby fell back to Fort Craig. Sibley then advanced, routing Colonel 
Slough at Apache Pass, and entered Santa Fe in triumph ; but he 
found in less than a month that his victory was useless, and that he 
had no choice but to evacuate the Territory or be cut off by Canby •, 
and, admitting that New Mexico was not worth one quarter of the 



77° NAVAL BATTLE ON THE MISSISSIPPL 

blood expended in its conquest, he retreated to Texas in »ay, leaving 
his sick and wounded. 

After the evacuation of Island No. 10, Commode ^e Foote moved 
down the Mississippi as far as Fort Pillow, where ihe Confederates 
were again ready to contest the mastery of the great river. Not only 
was the fort strong and well supplied with guns aud mortars which 
replied with accuracy to Foote's fire, but a ram with gunboats came 
up the river to attack his fleet. An action took place May 4th. The 
ram Mallory struck the Cincinnati in spite of her broadside and mus- 
ket fire, crippling her so that she began to sink ; but Commander Stem- 
bel killed the Confederate pilot, and managed to run his vessel on a 
shoal ; and the St. Louis ran the Mallory down, sinking her in turn. 
The gunboats of the Confederate flotilla fared badly ; one was burnt, 
another blew up. 

Fort Pillow was soon after evacuated, and the fleet kept steadilj 



on. 



Colonel Ellet had meanwhile organized a fleet of rams to meet those 
of the Confederates. Commodore Davis, reinforced by this ram fleet, 
moved down the river, and when approaching Memphis, June 6th, came 
in sight of the Confederate fleet lying at the levee. It at once moved 
down the river, then turned and came up in line of battle. After a 
distant cannonading, two of the Confederate rams pushed out, wkea 
Ellet, with his rams, the Queen of the West and Monarch, made for 
them. The Confederates sought to elude them, but the Queen was to& 
adroit, and took one of them, fairly crushing her to a wreck ; which, ae 
soon as the Queen backed, sank. The other Confederate ram mean> 
while dealt the Queen a blow which disabled her, but was in torn 
struck and sank by the Monarch. That vessel was now attacked by 



SHIP ISLAND OCCUPIED BY FEDERALS. 77 1 

the Beauregard, which, however, did her no injury, while the Monarch, 
using the ram, crushed in the Beauregard's sides, when her boiler ex- 
ploded, pierced by a ball from a gunboat, and she floated away a wreck. 
The Little Rebel next succumbed to the Monarch. The Confederate 
fleet under the broadsides of the United States gunboats was as badly 
handled. Of their whole force only one armed vessel, the Yan Dorn, 
escaped down the river. This extraordinary naval conflict had lasted 
from five to seven o'clock in the morning. Not a man was killed iu 
the United States boats, and no one wounded but Colonel Ellet. 

The people at Memphis, with the Confederate force occupying it 
under General Jefferson Thompson, watched the fight with deep interest. 
As he saw the day going against them, Thompson sent off his troops, 
and at the close of the battle galloped out of the city, which sullenly 
yielded. 

The United States Government meanwhile pursued its course in re- 
capturing the great Southern ports. The most important movement to 
secure any of these imjjortant points was that against New Orleans. As 
•early as December 4th, 1861, Ship Island, one of a long line of small 
sandy islands between New Orleans and Mobile, was occupied by a 
small force under General Phelps. On the 15th of February following, 
a fleet left Hampton Roads, bearing an army of fifteen thousand men 
under General Butler. They did not reach Ship Island till March 25th. 
Then General Butler with Commodore Farragut planned an attack on 
New Orleans. The fleet was to reduce the two forts. Fort St. Philip 
and Fort Jackson, which commanded the river : and across the Missis- 
sippi just at that point ran a great raft or boom of cypress-trees fast- 
ened to chain cables. Behind this was a fleet of ironclad rams, gun- 
boats, and fireships, commanded by Commodore Whittle j while New 



772 SEVERE NAVAL BATTLE OF FARRAGUT. 

Orleans itself was held by a force under the command of Gaaerai 
Lovell. 

On the 18th of April, 1862, Porter's mortar-boats were in position 
.and opened on Fort Jackson, which replied steadily till five in the 
afternoon, when flames were seen bursting from the fort, the woodea 
buildings within having been set on fire by the shells. But the next 
day, and the next, the fort held out. 

Then, under cover of night, Farragut sent up the Pinola and Itasca, 
which cut the boom and cables, and on the 23d he prepared to sail 
up the river past the forts. The next night the whole fleet in three 
lines moved up, Farragut with his largest ships near the westera 
bank, to engage Fort Jackson ; Captain Bailey along the western side; 
Captain Bell keeping in the middle of the river with the rest. Bailey 
ran by with little injury ; Bell's division was less fortunate. The 
Itasca was disabled, and with the Winona and Kennebec dropped down 
to their old anchorage. Farragut, as he anticipated, had a hard fight. 
The Hartford and Richmond replied steadily to the fire of the fort. 
The Brooklyn ran on to one of the hulks of the boom, and was thea 
attacked by the steam-ram Manassas, but evaded her blow and a bolt 
aimed at her steam-chest. Another Confederate steamer then came 
up in the darkness, but Captain Craven gave her such a warm recep- 
tion that he set her on fire, and she drifted down, lighting up the scene. 
Reaching Fort St. Philip, he poured in such broadsides that he drove 
the gunners from their pieces, and pushing on, engaged gunboats far- 
ther up the river. For an hour and a half he was constantly under fire. 

The Cayuga, after passing Fort St. Philip, was engaged by the whole 
Confederate fleet, but, holding her own, had forced three of the amaller 
vessels to strike, when the Varuna and Oneida came to her relief 



THE VALLIANT VARUNA AND HER FIGHT. ']']l 

The Varuna was at once surrounded, but her fight is one of the most 
memorable in history. She blew up or drove on shore four of the 
hostile gunboats in succession : but at six was encountered by the 
ironclad ram Morgan, which by a raking fire killed or woun.ded thir- 
teen of her men, and then struck her with the ram. But the Varuna 
returned her fire so hotly, that the Morgan, partially disabled, drifted 
out of the fight. Another ironclad ram then struck the Varuna, the 
second thrust crushing in her side — but not with impunity ; Captain 
Boggs, aiming at her uncovered part, crippling her and setting her 
on fire. But the Varuna was going down ; so he ran her into the 
bank, still keeping up his fire on the Morgan, till the water rose on 
the sinking vessel over the gun-trucks. Then he got his crew ashore, 
and the gallant vessel sunk ; but not before Boggs beheld the Mor- 
gan surrender to the Oneida, which had come to the assistance of the 
V^aruna, but had been sent against the Morgan by Boggs. 

In this desperate fight, the fleet, without losing more than a hun- 
dred and fifty men, had overcome all obstacles. New Orleans was 
at the mercy of the United States forces. General Lovell, who had 
witnessed the action, attempted to raise a desperate force to attack 
fhe fleet ; but finally sent off his munitions and provisions, and re- 
treated, setting fire to all the shipping, steamboats, cargoes of cotton, 
etc., at the docks. As the fleet approached the city, batteries opened 
on the ships, but were soon silenced ; and at one o'clock in the after- 
noon of the 25th the fleet anchored in front of New Orleans, its 
wharves one mass of fire. The city refused to surrender or haul 
down the Confederate flag, and the Stars and Stripes hoisted over the 
Mint was torn down by the mob. Porter, meanwhile, renewed the 
s'l'dlinor of the forts, which surrendered on the 28th, the garrison mu- 



774 NEW ORLEANS CAPTURED. 

tinying; the naval ofificers, however, towed out the ram Louisiana 
into the stream, and loading her guns, fired her, sending her down 
into Porter's fleet • but she blew up and sank. The rest of the Con- 
federate fleet surrendered, except one vessel which was scuttled. 

General Butler then advanced with his transports to New Orleans, 
and on the afternoon of May ist began to land his troops, amid the 
curses and shouts of the mob. Butler took up his quarters at the St. 
Charles Hotel, and soon convinced the city authorities that he was 
master. The insults of the women to the officers and soldiers so ex- 
asperated General Butler, that he issued a famous order which called 
forth the greatest indignation throucjhout the South, and in the British 
Parliament, its secret ally. He sent the mayor to prison, abolished his 
municipality, and caused Mumford, who had torn down the flag from 
the Mint, to be arrested and tried. On his conviction he was hanged. 

Baton Rouge and Natchez surrendered to the fleet early in Ma}^ 

The advance of the United States squadron under Commander S. 
P. Lee encountered no opposition until it reached Vicksburg, which 
defiantly refused to surrender. Farragut came up bearing a small 
land force under General Williams. A bombardment was opened 
on the 29th of June, but with little effect. Farragut then ran past 
and met Commodore Davis, who had fought his way down from Cairo. 
The attempts on Vicksburg all failed, and that city was destined to 
be long a source of annoyance to the American commanders. 

Williams returned to Baton Rouge, and was there attacked on the 
5th of August by a Confederate force under General Breckinridge. 
The fighting was fierce on both sides, advantage being gained and 
lost; and at night Breckinridcje drew off, having lost three or four 
hundred men, including General Clarke, left mortally wounded in the 



THE CONFEDERATE RAM ARKANSAS. 7/5 

hands of the United States forces. On their side the loss had been 
severe. Every officer of the 21st Indiana was killed, and General 
Williams was shot down while leadinoitin a final charge. The Con- 
federates had counted on the co-operation of the ram Arkansas, 
which came down from Vicksburg for the purpose ; but her machinery 
gave way, and she was unable to reach Baton Rouge. The next day 
she was attacked by Commodore Porter in the Essex, who shelled 
her till her crew set her on fire and abandoned her. 

In November the President assigned General Banks to command 
the Department of the Gulf, and that commander reached New 
Orleans on the 14th of December and assumed command. Butler, 
who had gone down with thirteen thousand seven hundred men, and 
not been reinforced, turned over to General Banks an army of seven- 
teen thousand eight hundred men, including three regiments and two 
batteries of negroes. Jefferson Davis, as President of the Confeder- 
ate States, had, after Butler relinquished command at New Orleans, 
issued a proclamation declaring that that general and his officers 
should, if taken, be executed as robbers and criminals. 

Meanwhile a most extraordinary scene occurred in Chesapeake 
Bay a contest that gave the world a new theory of naval warfare. 

When the Gosport navy-yard was abandoned, the steam-frigate Mer- 
rimac was one of the vessels abandoned and sunk. This the Confed- 
erates raised, and transformed into a formidable war-vessel of novel 
construction. The hull was cut down nearly to the water-line, and a 
sloping roof like that of a house placed on it. This was made of 
heavy timbers, and plated with bars of railroad iron three inches 
thick. Her smoke-stack and pilot-house alone appeared. She was 
strengthened fore and aft, and plated with steel, while at the bow ran 



776 THE LOSS OF THE CUMBERLAND. 

out a ram of steel, designed to cut into the side of any vessel she 
might engage. She carried twelve eleven-inch navy-guns, and a hun- 
dred pounder at her bow and stern. A fleet of United States men- 
of-war, the Cumberland, Congress, Minnesota, St. Lawrence, and 
Roanoke, lay near Fortress Monroe, when, on the 8th of March, the 
Merrimac steamed out of Norfolk, with two steamers, the Yorktown 
and Jamestown. As she approached the Cumberland and Congress, 
those vessels gave her full broadsides, but the cannon-balls slid off 
from her roofinor without doing the slightest damage. Thou q-h stag:- 
gered by the shock, she kept on, and dashed upon the side of the 
Cumberland, laying it open, and pouring in a broadside. The Con- 
gress, engaged by the Yorktown and Jamestown, lost Captain Smith, 
her commander, and, attempting to run on shore, grounded. In this 
position the Merrimac came down upon her with a fire that raked 
her fore and aft. She struck, and the Confederates took off some 
prisoners, but were finally driven off by the land batteries, which set 
the vessel on fire, and she burned to the water's edge. The Cumber- 
land did not strike, but kept up the unequal fight most gallantly, her 
commander, Lieutenant Geo. W. Morris, firing his guns as she went 
down, and keeping his flag flying to the last. 

The other vessels of the fleet in endeavoring to come mto action 
grounded, and became disabled. Universal panic prevailed, as it 
was evident that none of them could cope with this new craft so 
strangely equipped. 

Relief was to come from a most unexpected quarter. In those days 
every one was offering Government inventions and plans. A float- 
ing battery, called the Monitor, had been designed by Captain Erics- 
son, an experienced Swedish engineer, long resident in America. 






^ THE MONITOR AND THE MERRIMAC. 777 

The Government had built a vessel according to his plan, but little 
confidence viras placed in it. The vessel was below the water : almost 
on the water-line was a shell-proof deck : from this rose a round 
turret, which revolved by machinery, and which contained two eleven- 
inch columbiads, very heavy cannon. 

This vessel had just been completed, and ordered to the Chesa- 
peake : an order countermanding this came fortunately too late, and 
the Monitor reached Fortress Monroe on the 8th of March, to find 
all in consternation. 

Her arrival was hailed with joy ; and the old navy officers, who had 
slightingly derided the cheese-box on a raft, now felt that here was 
perhaps a match for the Merrimac. 

As the haze cleared on the morning of the gth, the Merrimac was 
seen coming out for a second raid on the fleet. The Minnesota, which 
had grounded, was evidently her point of attack, and the little Moni- 
tor lying in her shadow was unnoticed. As the Minnesota opened 
with her stern guns on the dangerous enemy, the little Monitor ran 
out and laid herself alongfside the Merrimac. In vain the Confeder- 
ate ironclad poured her broadsides on the little battery : the balls flew 
off ; while she, steaming around, sent her raking shots through the stern 
or through the ports. Finding that she could make no impression on 
the Monitor, the Merrimac opened fire on the Minnesota, doingsome 
damage; but again the Monitor interposed and drove heroff. Then 
the Merrimac grounded, and was at the mercy of the Monitor, and got 
off only to steam toward Norfolk, pursued by the Ericsson battery. 
In vain the Merrimac turned on her little antagonist, and attempted 
to get at the Minnesota : the day was lost. Sullenly, and discomfited, 
she with her consorts steamed back to Norfolk. 



778 GREENBACKS DIRECT AND INTERNAL TAXATION, 

The Monitor came off without the least injury ; the Merrimac had 
two guns broken, two men killed and eight wounded. Such was the 
great fight of the ironclads in Hampton Roads. In Europe and 
America the battles of the two days were read with the deepest in- 
terest, and it became evident that the old navies of the world must 
give place to ships of new form and strength. 

Congress, in its regular session, made provisions for the great war 
rasfinsr in the land. The Government issued notes known as g^reen- 
backs, which were to pass for all uses except the payment of duties to 
Government. To meet the immediate expenditure entailed by the 
army and navy, direct taxation was resorted to, and taxes were laid 
on liquors, tobacco, and other articles, and a tax on all incomes over 
six hundred dollars. These steps caused a complete revolution in the 
money affairs of the country. The banks suspended specie payment, 
and srold became an article of trade, beincr boueht and sold at rates 
exceeding the paper dollar. This rate fluctuated with military success 
and other causes, and at one time the oold dollar was worth two dol- 
lars and seventy cents in paper. Twelve years after the commence- 
ment of the war, and eight after its close, the gold dollar was worth 
fifteen cents, or nearly one-sixth more than the paper dollar. 

This caused an increase in prices of all goods, commodities, and 
labor. The risk from privateers made imported goods higher, 
although nearly all imports were brought in on the ships of other 
countries, England especially profiting by the difficulty which she had 
created by recognizing the Confederate privateers. Bills were passed 
abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia, and making compensa- 
tion to the owners, and for a similar step in the Slave States if they 
chose to accept it ; but the Border States still adhering to the United 



EDWIN M. STANTON, SECRETARY OF WAR. 779 

States Government all declined it. Notwithstanding the express 
words of the Constitution prohibiting acts of attainder, an act was 
passed confiscating the property of any one adjudged guilty of treason ; 
but no one was ever brought to trial on that charge and convicted. 

Meanwhile the Southern Confederacy had installed a regular govern- 
ment under the constitution adopted. Eleven States took part in the 
Presidential election, casting one hundred and nine votes, which were 
given unanimously for Jefferson Davis as President, and Alexander H. 
Stephens as Vice-President. They were inaugurated at Richmond, at 
the base of the great Washington statue, on the 22d of February, 
1862, prayer being offered by Bishop Johns of the Protestant Episco- 
pal Church. Davis' cabinet was composed of Benjamin, as Secretary 
of State ; Randolph, Secretary of War ; Mallory, of the Navy, and 
Memminger, of the Treasury. 

At Washington, the beginning of the new year was marked by the 
resignation of Mr. Cameron as Secretary of War, and the appoint- 
ment of Edwin M. Stanton, a man of great energy and determination, 
who to the close of the war discharcred his duties with sinirular vioor 
and resolution. 

He became virtually commander-in-chief, new military divisions 
were created, and orders were' issued directly in the President's name. 
Many arbitrary acts followed, such as the arrest and long imprison- 
ment of General Stone, which gave rise to strong protests In Con- 



gress. 



From this oeriod to the close of the war, the Shenandoah Vallev in 
Virginia became the battle-ground of contending armies, and it would 
require volumes to detail all the battles and skirmishes that filled that 
beautiful valley with blood and carnage. In the first movement, Gen- 



78o SHENANDOAH VALLEY OCCUPIED BY FEDERALS. 

eral Banks drove General Jackson back toward Johnston's army ; but 
General Shields, with the advance of Banks' army, resolved to decoy 
Jackson to a weak point. In pursuance of this plan, he fell back to 
Winchester, and took up a strong position. Jackson followed and 
began the attack (March 21st). Shields, though wounded by a frag- 
ment of a shell which broke his arm, retained command, and drew up 
his men. On the 22d, however, Jackson gave no token of his pres- 
ence, and many thought he had not come up, when he suddenly 
appeared in force, endeavoring to turn Shields' left flank and enfilade 
his position. Shields, fully aware of the skill of his antagonist, had 
been on the alert. He repulsed the attack, and when Jackson, massing 
his men, attacked the right. Shields was ready, and with a competent 
force drove Jackson back through the woods, leaving the United 
States troops in possession of the field, three hundred prisoners, two 
guns, and a thousand stand of arms. Night alone saved Jackson, 
who retreated five miles from the battle-field. Shields in this battle 
fought after being severely wounded, displayed the character of a hero 
and a general, and has the high honor of having inflicted on Jackson 
one of the few defeats he ever sustained. 

Banks followed up this victory by occupying the valley, Jackson 
retreating to Gordonsville. 

About this time the Confederates abandoned Manassas and the line 
of the Potomac, and fell back nearer to Richmond, on a line extend- 
ing from Gordonsville to Yorktown. General McClellan, after advan- 
cing to Manassas, left General McDowell to guard that line, and 
prepared to make a grand movement from Fortress Monroe on Rich- 
mond. Early in April he embarked an army of a hundred and twenty 
thousand men on a fleet of transports at Washington and Alexandria, 



THE BATTLE AT WILLIAMSBURG. 78 1 

and landing near Hampton, moved toward Yorktown. The Confed- 
erate lines here were held by General Magruder. McClellan's army 
arrived in face of them on the 5th. Instead of an attempt to storm 
them, McClellan prepared for a regular siege, and on the 30th opened 
with his siege batteries on Yorktown and Gloucester and the Con- 
federate shipping in the river. 

The enemy for a few days replied with vigor, but on the 2d of May 
evacuated their works and retreated. McClellan immediately pursued 
on land, and sent Franklin's division and other troops up the York 
River — the James, owing to danger of attack from the Merrimac, not 
beinaf at his command. 

The Confederates made a stand at Williamsburg, where they had 
thrown up another series of intrenchments. General Hooker, with 
the advance of McClellan's army, arriving before Fort Magruder, at 
the junction of the Yorktown and Hampton roads, early on the morn- 
ing of ]May 5th, began the attack ; but the enemy, unassailed at other 
points, massed their troops at the menaced point, and Hooker's 
attack was repulsed with heavy loss. Kearney's division at last came 
up to his support, and the battle was renewed. When night closed 
the fight they had at last gained some advantage, while Hancock on 
the right by a brilliant bayonet charge carried two redoubts. 

McClellan was not on the field, and arrived only on the following 
morning, prepared to renew the fight ; but the enemy had evacuated 
their works in haste, leaviuij seven or eisfht hundred wounded behind 
them. Their loss in killed and wounded is not known, but was prob- 
ably fifteen hundred in all. McClellan reported four hundred and 
fifty-six killed, one thousand four hundred wouncied, and three hun- 
dred and seventv-two missinq-. 



782 ISLAND NO. 10 SURRENDERED. 

McClellan advanced in pursuit of the enemy, and on the 22d 
made his headquarters at Cold Harbor, fairly arrayed against the 
main Confederate army at Richmond. But he labored under the 
mistaken idea that this army was far superior to his own in numbers 
and equipments, and instead of a vigorous attack, began to fortify 
his position, calling meanwhile for reinforcements. 

His advance, and the success of Burnside in North Carolina, left 
Norfolk no longer tenable by the Confederates, and they accordingly 
evacuated it, destroying the drj'-dock and the Merrimac, as well as 
the bridges leading from the city. General Wool at once took pos- 
session of the place. 

In the West, Commodore Foote had on the 15th of March begun 
the bombardment of Island No. 10, but it was found to be a strong 
position. By means of a canal, however, he ran past and joined Gen- 
eral Pope, who was on the west of the river ; and Colonel Buford, by 
dispersing a Confederate force at Union City, Tennessee, completely 
hemmed in the Confederates on the island. They attempted to 
escape after sinking their vessels, but it was too late ; they were 
driven into the marshes and forced to surrender. Three generals, 
seven regiments, and a very large supply of cannon, muskets, tents, 
horses, and wagons were lost to the Confederacy on April 7, 1S62. 

While these operations were in progress. General Grant with his 
army of sixty thousand men had pushed on to Pittsburg Landing, 
an insignificant place on the Tennessee River, eight miles above 
Savannah. His object was to give battle to the Confederate force 
under General Albert .Sidney Johnston, which had concentrated at 
Corinth. It equalled Grant's in numbers, and was strongly intrenched. 

While Grant was leisurely preparing to cut off the retreat of this 



FIRST DAY AT PITTSBURG LANDING. 7S3 

force and effect its capture, leaving his own army meanwhile without 
the ordinary pickets, and making no reconnoissances, General John- 
ston was preparing to attack him. 

Moving silently out of Corinth on the 3d of April, and steadily 
approaching over wretched roads with every precaution, he ap- 
proached Grant's unsuspecting lines early on the morning of the 6lh, 
Major-General Hardee leading, supported by Generals Bragg and 
Polk, General Breckinridee holdinof the reserve. 

When day broke, the pickets of Prentiss' division came rushing into 
the camp, as shot and shell told that the enemy were on them. The 
men, dressing, washing, cooking, were swept down and routed before 
they had time to form. Sherman saw one brigade similarly scattered, 
but for a time held the rest of his division steady ; but he too gave 
way, leaving his camp, tent, and equipage to the enemy. 

McClernand's division coming up, found Sherman's going, its best 
officers killed or wounded ; the batteries taken or useless. Prentiss 
finally drew his men up, but so badly that they were flanked and 
utterly routed. McClernand, vv^ith Shennan beaten on one side, and 
Prentiss on the other, faced along the Corinth road, and for a time held 
it by his batteries, but by eleven o'clock he too was driven back. 
Stuart, on the extreme left, although supported by a brigade of W. H. 
L. Wallace's division, was also driven from his position from ridge to 
rldo-e. Three of the six divisions we-re rou-ted. Grant reached the 
battle-field at eight o'clock to find his army beaten ; but he set to work 
to regain the day. He formed his three remaining divisions, and in- 
fused new-couraee into his men. Hurlbut's division stood its frround 
for five hours. Thrice the Confederates charged, and as often they 
were hurled back, the Confederate commander, General Albert Sidney 



784 SECOND day's battle OPENS. 

Johnston, being mortally wounded in the attack ; but Hurlbut too 
gave way. Then W. H. L. Wallace's division, after seeing its gallant 
leader fall mortally wounded, fell back into line with Hurlbut's new 
position, losing only one gun, the carriage of which was disabled. 
General Lew Wallace, summoned to the field, found the enemy in 
possession, and had to take a circuitous route. 

The rest of Grant's army was crowded on the riverside. Half the 
artillery was lost or disabled, the hospitals full, the loss in men enor- 
mous, whole regiments broken up and disorganized. The Confeder- 
ates, had they known the state of affairs, might have swept all before 
them. They hesitated. Colonel Webster massed all the cannon he 
could find, with volunteer gunners, to cover the roads approaching the 
defeated army. When the enemy came up they were received with 
such warmth that they recoiled, especially as the gunboats also opened 
upon them. They had lost the moment for the decisive charge. All 
through the night the artillery kept up its thundering volleys. 

While General Beauregard, who succeeded Johnston, was tele- 
graphing to Richmond news of his victory. General Buell came up 
with the Army of the Ohio. He found proofs of desperate need, 
and sent on General Nelson, who formed near Webster's guns just 
at nightfall. During the darkness, Crittenden and McCook's divi- 
sions came up and crossed. 

Daylight saw the scene change. Lew Wallace's fresh division and 
the three from Buell's army, with the remnant of the shattered divi- 
sions, now confronted Beauregard's men flushed with victory, but 
fearfully reduced by the day's battle and by straggling. He too ex- 
pected aid from Van Dorn and Price, but it did not come. 

The second day's battle was opened by the advance of Nelson's 



VICTORY AT PITTSBURG LANDING OR SHILOH. 785 

division, on vvhicli the whole force of the enemy concentrated, so that 
its loss was terrible: but they drove them in ; and when, later, Crit- 
tenden's and McCook's opened fire, they forced the enemy back to 
McClernand's old camp, and retook some of his cannon. 

On the right, Grant threw forward Lew Wallace, Sherman, and 
McClernand, who steadily fought their way through obstacles of 
every kind. 

Beauregard's army, now on the defensive, had been forced back to 
Shiloh Church, where it stood grim and undaunted, with heavy bat- 
teries to check any assault. But at one o''clock, finding his effective 
force reduced more than half by actual loss in killed and wounded 
and by stragglers, he resolved to draw off, and retired unpursued to 
Corinth. 

In this battle, one of the most fearful ever fought on the continent, 
the losses were terrible. The armies of Grant and Buell lost one 
thousand seven hundred and thirty-five killed, seven thousand eight 
hundred and eighty-two wounded, and three thousand nine hundred 
and fifty-six taken prisoners by the enemy. That of the Confeder- 
ates, admitted to be nearly as many in killed and wounded, was in 
all probability fully as great. In fact it may be safely stated that 
the loss on each side was about fifteen thousand men, one-third of 
all who went into action on that terrible field. This battle is called 
in Northern accounts the battle of Pittsburg Landing, while the 
South spoke of it as the battle of Shiloh. 



CHAPTER V. 

McClellan's Campaign against Richmond — Operations in the Shenandoah Valley — The Seven 
Days' Battles— Mechanicsville — Fair Oaks— Gaines' Mill — White-Oak Swamp — Malvern Hill 
— McClellan Retires to Harrison s Landing — Halleck made General-in-Chief — McClellan Em- 
barks for the Potomac — Pope's Vainglorious Promises — Banks Worsted at Cedar Mountain 
— Jackson in Pope's Rear — Second Battle of Bull Run — Pope not Supported by McClellan — 
He Retreats to Washington and Resigns — Colonel Cantwell — Lee Enters Maryland — Out- 
generals McClellan and Takes Harper's Ferry — Battles of South Mountain and Antietara— 
Lee Retreats — McClellan Pursues — He is Relieved. 

The new management of the War Department soon led to a disas- 
ter in the Shenandoah Valley. The President and Secretary of War. 
with no military training, were endeavoring to carry out campaigns 
without a plan. General Banks, pursuing Jackson, was near Har- 
risonburg. Milroy and Schenck, with the van of Fremont's army, 
were advancing from Monterey to Staunton ; a small force under 
Kenly was at Front Royal. While the United States forces were 
thus isolated, Jackson, reinforced by Ewell and Johnston, moved with 
his usual rapidity. Leaving Ewell to hold Banks in check, he pushed 
on to cut off Schenck and Milroy, and took up his position on Bull- 
Pasture Mountain. On the 8th, Schenck failed in a desperate at- 
tempt to dislodge Jackson, and after losing two hundred and fifty-six 
men, retreated to Franklin, destroying his stores. Jackson pursued 
for a time, then crossed the mountains, and on the 23d swooped down 
on Kenly, whom he almost annihilated, capturing his train and nearly 
his whole force. Banks learned to his dismay that Jackson was press- 
ing forward to Winchester, in his rear, with a force nearly four times 
his own. In his attempt to reach that city he encountered Jackson, 
but, after desperate fighting, managed to reach Winchester, and re- 
treat through it to the Potom.ac. There his army could draw breath. 

786 



FIRST BATTLE AT HANOVER COURT HOUSE. ySj 

Jackson had swept it completely from the vallej% with a loss of sev- 
eral thousand men, arms, artillery, and stores. 

From Washington, new movements were directed to intercept his 
retreat ; but the able Confederate commander eluded Fremont at 
Strasburg, and Shields at Masamitten Mountain, and they were not 
able to bring him to action till they came to Cross Keys, where Ewell 
took up a position selected by Jackson's keen military eye. Fremont 
(June 8th) attacked, but the action was indecisive although the loss 
was heavy. Jackson himself the next day attacked Shields' advance 
at Port Republic, defeating it with severe loss, and made good his 
escape. " Considering the perils he braved, and the odds against 
him, his campaign was one of the most brilliant of the war, and 
stamped him as .a true military genius." The great object of this 
movement was to compel the United States Government at Washing- 
ton to keep troops near the Potomac, instead of co-operating with 
McClellan, and in this the Confederates succeeded. 

McClellan's army, after occupying Williamsburg, and pushing on 
toward Richmond, fought its first battle at Hanover Court House, 
where, on the 27th of May, General Fitz John Porter defeated Gen- 
eral Branch, capturing his camp with arms and railroad trains. This 
position was important, as it opened communication with McDowell's 
army expected from Fredericksburg. When, however, Keyes' corps 
reached Seven Pines, crossing- the Chickahominy, and that stream 
was swollen on the 30th by sudden rains. General Johnston, the 
Confederate commander, resolved to crush the isolated corps before 
it could be supported. 

Longstreet and Hill attacked Casey in front, while Huger assailed 
his right flank, and Smith his left, almost the whole Confederate army 



788 BATTLE OF FAIR OAKS. 

before Richmond, some fifty thousand men, being employed in these 
movements under the eye of Jefferson Davis, who was on the field 
with General Lee, while Casey was cut off from immediate support, 
and General McClellan was at a distance. Hill's attack in front, at 
one o'clock, took Casey by surprise, his men dropping intrenching tools 
to form in line of battle ; then Rains came up on the left, and in spite 
of Casey's efforts gained his rear. Under the terrible cross-fire, the 
officers and men were dropping so fearfully, that the whole division 
was driven back in disorder upon Couch's division, losing six guns, 
which were at once turned upon them. In vain did part of Couch's 
force endeavor to stay the onward course of the Confederates ; they 
too were swept back, till Sumner, having with great difficulty crossed 
the swollen Chickahominy, checked them in that direction. 

Heintzelman, a little after three, came up to the aid of Couch's rights 
General Abercrombie held a position of the utmost importance at 
Fair Oaks, where the Richmond and York River railroad crossed the 
Nine-mile road. Here the fighting was deadly : but Abercrombie 
held his ground ; General Johnston, the Confederate commander-in- 
chief, falling seriously wounded, and the next in command. General 
Smith, being struck down with paralysis. One of the last charges on 
Abercrombie's inflexible line was led by Jefferson Davis in person. 

Just before sunset, Sedgwick's and Richardson's divisions of Sum- 
ner's corps reached the field as the Confederates had turned Couch's 
left. They completely swept the field, and saved Abercrombie, who 
was beginning at last to waver. But the Confederates did not yield 
the field till eight o'clock. They were then in possession of Couch's 
and Casey's camps, and retained possession next day, sending their 
contents to Richmond. 



WITHIN FOUR MILES OF RICHMOND. 789 

In the morning a desultory engagement followed, but at nightfall 
the Confederate army fell back to Richmond, McClellan making no 
effort to pursue them with his fresh troops, or take advantage of 
their condition. 

This battle, fought on the Confederate side with skill, judgment, 
and earnestness, was on the American side desultory, guided by no 
directing commander, in which divisions brought up one after an- 
other were subjected to the attack of superior forces. The loss on 
each side was about six thousand men, in this Battle of Fair Oaks, 
which was fought on the last day of May and first of June. 

Hooker pushed on the next day to within four miles of Richmond, 
and an advance by McClellan might have taken the city ; but he 
called for reinforcements and waited. Meanwhile Stonewall Jackson, 
after baffling Fremont and Banks, and keeping McDowell at Man- 
assas instead of marching to co-operate with McClellan, joined the 
main Confederate army at Richmond ; and General Robert E. Lee, 
now in command of that army, summoned reinforcements from all 
quarters, so that he had an army of nearly seventy thousand men, 
much inferior to McClellan's in numbers, although from the first that 
general persisted in believing that he was outnumbered. 

On the 25th of June, Lee had completed his plans, and again the 
Confederates prepared to attack and turn McClellan's right at Me- 
chanicsville, held by General Fitz John Porter with twenty-seven 
thousand men. Against him Lee sent A. P. Mill, followed by D. H. 
Hill, supported by Jackson, leaving only two divisions in front of 
McClcll-an's centre and left, and thus again accumulating all his avail- 
able fcrce to crush one corps. The Hills and Longstreet advanced 
rapidly and resolutely, but were repulsed with carnage in the attempt 



790 SAME OLD STORY OF DELAY. 

to turn Porter's left, while Jackson failed to come up as early as was 
expected to assail his right. Nighfput an end to the contest, and 
the Confederates lay near by the American lines ready to renew the 
battle. But McClellan ordered Porter to fall back to Gaines' Mill. 
There the battle was renewed at two o'clock on June 27th, Lee's whole 
force nearly being brought into action — a general advance from left 
to right, made under a terrible fire of musketry and artillery. Porter's 
position was a strong one. But it was the same old story of delay in 
supporting him, reinforcements arriving slowly and in small numbers, 
while McClellan's main army made no offensive movement to assail 
the enemy's lines or divert his attack on Porter. 

His reserve under McCall had long been in action, supporting his 
overpowered front, wdien Slocum's division came up ; but it was not 
enough. Porter, massing all his artillery to cover the retreat of his 
infantry, had checked the Confederates, when General Cooke's cav- 
alry,'attacking without orders, were sent in headlong confusion into 
Porter's line, causing fatal disorder. French's and Meagher's brig- 
ades indeed came up, and Porter's men, rallying behind the two fresh 
brigades, advanced up the hill, down which they had been driven ; 
but the Confederates, seeing fresh troops, did not renew the attack, 
but halted on the field which they had won. Porter lost not much 
less than eight thousand men and twenty-two cannon ; the Confed- 
erate loss exceeding five thousand. 

During the nioht, McClellan withdrew Porter's forces, and his 
whole army was concentrated between the Chickahominy and his 
works before Richmond ; he abandoned his line of supplies on the 
York ; his vast stores of munitions and provisions at White House 
were destroyed ; his cavalry fled down the Peninsula ; and he him- 



BATTLE OF MALVERN HILL OPENED. 79 1 

self, with a hundred thousand men, exceeding Lee's by at least one- 
fourth in numbers, prepared, not to fight, but to retreat to the James. 
On June 28 the movement began, the enemy in vain expecting an 
attack on their position before Richmond. When they found he was 
retreating they gave chase, attacking him in White-Oak Swamp, 
where a sharp action resulted in another defeat of McClellan. 

The next stand was made at Malvern Hill, on the James, which 
McClellan's wasted, wayworn army reached on the morning of July ist, 
closely pursued by Lee. McClellan's army was drawn up in a strong 
position, and massed so that each corps could be easily supported. 
For the first time the whole army was to meet the Confederate army 
in battle ; but it was sadly shaken by the previous engagements, and 
it had no commander to encourage and inspirit them b\' the magnetism 
of his presence and confidence. Lee, filled with confidence by the 
previous successes of his army, resolved to make an attack on McClel- 
lan's concentrated army. Jackson, with his own division and three 
others, pushed on by the Quaker road, the line of McClellan's retreat, 
while Magruder from Richmond, by the direct roads threatened his 
left ; Longstreet's and A. P. Hill's divisions, which had suffered most 
in the previous battles, were held in reserve. McClellan's army was 
drawn up in the following order : At the foot of the hill and on its 
rising side was Porter's corps, forming the left with Couch's division 
of Keyes' corps ; Heintzelman and Sumner's corps further up the 
hill, formed the centre ; Franklin the right ; while McCall and the 
cavalry formed the reserve. 

At three o'clock the battle opened. Jackson's men, with a yell and 
a rush, charged on Couch's and Griffin's divisons, but were hurled back 

o 

with heavy loss as Porter's massed batteries and solid infantry poured 



792 FEARFUL LOSS LN SEVEN DAYS BATTLES. 

in their deadly volleys. Through the woods poured Magruder, and 
others on the left, charging up to the very guns, to be sent back in 
disorder. Reserves were brought up, and again and again was the 
charge renewed, till night put an end to the conflict — McClellan hold- 
ing his ground without losing a cannon, though at a fearful sacrifice 
of life. At last the Confederates withdrew, their army being in the 
utmost disorder, while the gunboats in the James, hailing shells among 
them, increased the confusion. The Confederate army in this rash 
attack must have lost nearly ten thousand men. McClellan had at 
last won a victory ; but instead of pushing on and taking the offensive 
so as to enter Richmond, he gave orders the next day to continue the 
retreat, and withdrew his army to Harrison's Bar. The seven days' 
battles had cost him twenty thousand men, artillery, arms, and stores. 
An army far exceeding that of the eneniy had never begun the attack 
or followed up an advantage, and finally retreated without attempting 
to effect the object for which it was sent. 

A change was now made in the direction of the armies. General 
Halleckwas in July made general-in-chief of the armies of the United 
States. 

President Lincoln, chagrined at this result of such immense prepa- 
rations, hastened to Harrison's Bar, and though he found McClellan 
with eighty-six thousand men still ready for action, ordered that gen- 
eral to withdraw his army to the Potomac, and McClellan did so, after 
a reconnoissance under Hooker, which, properly supported, might 
have carried Richmond. The withdrawal of the army was carried 
out slowly, undisturbed by the enemy ; but while this powerful army- 
was thus leisurely returning, new disasters befell the arms of the 
United States. 



POPE RETREATED ACROSS THE RAPPAHANNOCK. 793 

The success of General Pope in the West induced the President to 
confide to him the defence of Washington and the Shenandoah Valley, 
with an army composed of the corps commanded by Generals Fre- 
mont, Banks, and McDowell. This army of fifty thousand men was 
also to co-operate with McClellan, and at one time McDowell was 
almost near enough to join in any movement. When McClellan was 
forced back to Harrison's Landino", Lee took the offensive aeainst 
Pope. General Banks, at Cedar Mountain with six or eight thousand 
men, was attacked August 9th by Stonewall Jackson, at the head of 
at least twenty thousand veterans. Banks, stung by the taunt of one 
of Pope's staff, fought desperately till he was fairly crowded off the 
field by numbers, after losing two thousand in killed and wounded ; 
Jackson admitting his loss to be more than thirteen hundred. Pope, 
learning Banks' condition, sent up Ricketts' division to aid Fremont's 
corps, now commanded by Sigel. But Jackson did not renew the fight, 
and finding his rear menaced, retired rapidly across the Rapidan pur- 
sued by cavalry. 

Having captured dispatches which showed him that Lee's whole 
army was advancing, Pope retreated across the Rappahannock, and 
being ordered by Government to maintain communications with Fred- 
ericksburg, saw his daneer if reinforcements were not sent. On the ■ 
22d of August the Confederate cavalry under Stuart surprised his 
headquarters with his papers. Heintzelman's corps of McClellan's 
army reached Warrenton Junction three days after, and Franklin was 
announced as at hand. But Lee resolved to crush Pope before 
McClellan came up in force. He sent Jackson across the Rappahan- 
nock to turn Pope's right, and strike the railroad between him and 
Washington. The energetic Southern general carried out the plan. 



794 SECOND BATTLE AT BULL RUN. 

and while Pope was watching in front, captured Manassas Junction, 
with guns, locomotives, trains, and stores to an immense amount. In 
vain Colonel Scammon, with two Ohio regiments, tried to regain the 
point : in vain General Taylor, with four New Jersey regiments of 
Franklin's division pushed forward to regain the lost fight. Jackson 
held his own. Pope, astounded at this, next tried to concentrate his 
forces at Gainesville and force a battle there, and Hooker drove Ewell 
backon Jackson at Manassas. Pope endeavored to close in on Jackson, 
and crush him before Lee could come up ; but the orders of Pope } 
were not heartily obeyed by some of his subordinate generals. Jack- 
son escaped to Thoroughfare Gap, where McDowell met him in a | 
sanguinary combat which lasted till night, Jackson having the advan- 
tage. The next day, August 28th, Longstreet came up to the Gap on 
the other side to save Jackson, and McDowell and King, unable to 
drive him back, retreated to Manassas. 

The Southern army was now united and well in hand : Pope was in 
a position of difficulty. Sigel, who was nearest the enemy, began the 
action early on the 29th ; then Kearney's division of Heintzelman's 
corps came on his right by the Sudley Springs road, Reno supporting 
the centre, and Reynolds taking position on the left. In the after 
noon. General Hooker's division came up to support the right. 

Pope was now facing his antagonist with an army well drawn up. 
Late in the afternoon he ordered Fitz John Porter to go into action on 
the enemy's right, while Kearney and Hooker renewed the battle, 
gaining advantage, though at last forced back a little by Longstreet. 
This battle, fought on the old Bull Run battle-ground, had been a series 
of actions in which it is supposed seven thousand men were killed or 
wounded on each side. Pope was really beaten : he had failed to over- 



SERIES OF CONFEDERATE VICTORIES. 795 

whelm Jackson ; and his army, brought into action in divisions and 
brigades, had been severely handled. His opportunity was gone. 

The next day, August 30th, he had only about forty thousand men 
ready for action, almost out of food, and with no forage for his horses. 
His call for reinforcements and supplies met no response. He could 
not retreat safely ; he had no choice but to fight. He ordered Porter 
to attack Lee's right, while Heintzelman and Reno advanced on his 
left. Porter attacked in vain, and was finally thrown back in confu- 
sion ; but the attack on Jackson, who was on the Confederate left, 
"was bravely made, and only when Lee's centre under Longstreet 
opened on them did the United States troops recoil. Jackson at once 
•charged, and his movement, supported by the whole Confederate 
line, forced Pope's army back. 

Pope saw that all was lost, and ordered the corps to fall back de- 
liberately to Centerville, Reno covering the retreat across Bull Run. 
Here he found Franklin and Sumner's corps of McClellan's army, who 
had been as it were idle spectators of his defeat. 

Lee, too wise to attack Pope in front, sent Jackson to turn his flank 
-near Chantilly. General Reno met him, and a sharp action ensued, 
in which, though the United States lost General Philip Kearney and 
General Isaac I. Stevens, Lee's plan was baffled. Pope's whole army 
•drew back within the intrenchments along the southern bank of the 
Potomac, and he resigned his command, having lost in that bloody 
August full thirty thousand men, at least double what Lee suffered. 

This series of victories on the Confederate side had almost com- 
pletely swept the troops of the Union from Eastern Virginia ; and 
flushed with triumph they menaced Washington and the Northern 
States. In this emergency General McClellan was once more called 



796 TWO ARMIES WATCH GENERAL LEE. 

to command all the troops for the defence of the capital. He at once 
concentrated the two armies to watch Lee's plans. Finding that the 
Confederates had disappeared from his front, he left General Banks 
to defend Washington, and pushed on to Frederick, which he entered 
just as the Confederate rear was leaving it. Mere he learned Lee's 
plans, one of which was to capture Harper's Ferry, held by a United 
States force of more than ten thousand men under Colonel Miles. 
Apparently believing that officer strong enough in men and position 
to hold his own, McClellan, instead of overwhelming General McLaws, 
whom Lee had detached against Harper's Ferry, pursued Lee's main 
army. The able Confederate general saw that McLaw's success de- 
pended on his delaying McClellan so that he could not relieve Har- 
per's Ferry. He accordingly occupied the passesof South Mountain ; 
and McClellan, swerving from the Potomac, moved for the passes. 
While the mass of Lee's army was covering McLaws' operations, the 
small force under Hill, holding Turner's Gap, was attacked by Mc- 
Clellan. Hill held his own with remarkable tenacity till Longstreet 
came to his support. Cox and Reno led the attack on the Confederate 
position, and, after killing General Garland, by a stubborn fight won 
the left of the pass : then Hooker came up with Rickett's, Hatch's, 
and Reno's divisions, and the battle was renewed. Hooker finally 
flankinor ai'jd worstinof the Confederate left as nieht fell, though Reno 
on his left was killed. Meade on the right, with the Pennsylvania 
reserves, reached the summit after a fight, and then the centre of the 
army pressed on the turnpike and reached the top of the pass. 

It had been a hard-fought battle, but Lee fought only to keep 
McClellan at bay, and had succeeded. While McClellan's whole force 
was thus occupied by Lee, McLaws had invested Miles at Harper's 



BATTLE OF ANTIETAM BEGUN. 79/ 

Ferry ; and that old army officer, instead of evacuating, or taking post 
on the heights and intrenching, acted most strangely. He had, 
though ordered to do so, never fortified Maryland Heights, and, when 
the danger came, sent Colonel Ford there without intrenching tools, 
so that he was soon forced from it. He even paroled Confederate 
prisoners, and let them go to the enemy's camp to report his position. 
Seeing his resolution to give up the place to the enemy, the cavalry 
left Harper's Ferry, and, capturing Longstreet's ammunition train, 
escaped ; but Miles refused to permit his infantry to withdraw. When 
the enemy opened with artillery he raised the white flag. The fire 
was kept up, however, mortally wounding Miles himself before Jack- 
son could believe that the post really surrendered. Then eleven 
thousand men, with seventy-three cannon, thirteen thousand small 
arms, and a large quantity of supplies, fell into the Confederate hands. 
The victorious Jackson with the rest of McLaws' force at once 
hastened to rejoin Lee, and that general, satisfied with the result of 
his movement, fell back from Turner's Pass. 

McCU;lian had no alternative but to pursue and attack Lee's army, 
now concentrated and e.xultant. On the afternoon of September 1 5th 
his advance under Richardson came up to the Confederates strongly 
posted beyond Antietam Creek, in front of the little village of Sharps- 
burg. McClellan soon arrived with three corps. The whole of Lee's 
force had not yet come on — Hill and McLaws were still on the march ; 
but McClellan, instead of attackinfj at once, waited till mornino;. And 
even the morning of that day was lost in artillery fire at long range. 
At last, in the afternoon, Hooker, backed by Sumner, Franklin, and 
Mansfield, attacked the enemy's left and centre, but only to open the 
battle. At daylight next morning it began in earnest. Hooker was 



798 IM.OODIIsr l)AS' AMKKICA HAD SICKN. 

opposed to ICwcll and Jackson, whom lu; drove from tlu-ir position 
with loss in men ;in(l officers, till fresh Confederal!! Irofjps enahletl 
Jackson to retrain the lost L;round, IhiI onl)' for a time, as I looker, 
aided hy Maiisli'ld, who fill niorlall)' wounded, a;.;ain checked the 
<:ne-m)', and forced them hark, till he hinis'lf, constantly exptjsini:^ his 
])erson, was severely wonnd'-d. i'.ach side now sent fresh troops to 
this |)oint, where the issue of the day seemed to lie. '1 lu- slaut^liter 
was fiaifid on hoih sides, as the tide of lialtle rolled hack and for- 
ward. At last 1' rauKlin's corps by a i^allant rush swept oser the; long- 
disputed -ground and held it. 

Kichardson's division, with Caldwell's and Meaii^her's l^riij^ades, had 
meanwhile crosseil the A nlieiam, and steailily fou:.;ht their way uj) fi'oin 
the creek toward Shar|)sl)Ui'v,, (aplurin^; man)' of the enemy, and de- 
featin;^' ,all attempts to Hank them. While (lirectiiiL;' a halter)' near 
1 )r. I'ijier's house the eallant Kich.ardson fell, and was succi-eded hy 
1 lancoi k. 

Me.niwhile, I'ortcr's corps in tin; centres and linrnside's on the 
left h.id nol heeii engagc:d. Porter's force having I)e(;n weakened h)' 
detai hmenls ; hut iUirnside — ordered at <-ight in the morning to cross 
the Antii'tam and attack moved slowly, and ilid not till three in the 
afternoon actually altac k in forci; Lee's feeble right. 1 le soon carried 
the heights, l)ul his delay had been fat.al. Hill's division now came 
up from iiarper's I'Crry, and, covered by a hea\'j' fu'e of artilleiy, 
charifcd his extreme left, which, confident of success, had fallen into 
disorder. Gcmeral ivodman was killed, anil his men ilriven back 
toward lh(; Antidam, till the enemj' were checked by the American 
liatleries beyond. 'I hen they retired to their lin(.-s on the lieiglus, 
havinif lost Gencnal liranch in the charv^e. 



nil'; INDKCISIVK liA-l'II.K. 799 

So closi.'d indecisively llic Mocjdirst day lliaL yXiiu-rica iiad y<-t 
seen. Of eiy;hty-seven tlunisand men whom MeC'lellan sciil inlo 
action, more than two thousand were killed, nearly len thousand 
wounded, and a thousand missin;,^ Lee left two thousand sev(!n 
hundred dead on the fj<;]d, and lost thirteen i^uns, many colors, six 
thousand prisoners, and fifteiMi thousand stand of arms. 

Hard fou^rht as the Ijattle of Antietam had hcfii it was not d<-cisivc. 
During the ni':^ht Lee moved off quietly across the Potomac, leavinj^ 
his dead on the field and two thousand of his desperately wounded, 
and retired to Winchester by way of Martinsln^•;^^ 

McClellan pursued slowly, and early in November r(;ached Warren- 
ton, when he was relieved of his command, and never aj^ain took any 
part in the war. 



CHAPTER VI. 

The Operations in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Mississippi — Advance of General Bragg — ^Battles 
of Riclimond and Munfordsville — A Confederate Governor of Kentucky Inaugurated — Buell 
in the Field— Bragg Beaten at Perryviile — Retreats through Cumberland Gap — Rosecrans 
Defeats Price at luka. and Van Dorn at Corinth — Rosecrans' Winter Campaign — Morgan's 
Raid — Bragg Defeated at Stone River — Minor Operations. 

The Confederate plan of the year comprised an invasion of Ken- 
tucky like that of Maryland by Lee. Bragg's army, swelled to forty- 
five thousand men by conscription, formed three corps, under Gen- 
erals Hardee, Polk, and Kirby Smith. Crossing the Tennessee near 
Chattanooga, he traversed the mountains, and, after a feint on Mct 
Minnville, pressed on into Kentucky. Cumberland Gap was aban- 
doned at his approach ; but at Richmond, General Manson made a 
stand with raw troops against Kirby Smith. He unwisely left a 
strong position, and attempted to turn Smith's right, but was de- 
feated, while the Confederate left, under General Churchill, turned 
and routed his right. He fell back to his original position, where 
the battle was renewed, and though some reinforcements came up, 
and General Nelson took command, the army of the United States 
was utterly defeated. Nelson being wounded, Manson resumed com- 
mand, and attempted to retreat, but his rear was gained by the 
enemy's cavalry and light troops, his force was scattered in confusion, 
he himself, with many more falling into the enemy's hands, having 

lost nine hundred killed and wounded, and several thousand prisoners. 

800 



I 



BRAGG ATTACKS BUELL AT PERRYVILLE. Soi 

Smith pushed on to Lexington, filling Louisville, and even Cincin- 
nati, with the wildest confusion and alarm. 

Guerrilla operations were carried on in the West, with little regard 
to the rules of war that govern civilized nations. Even the sick and 
wounded were butchered. Thus fell a noble soldier, who had faced 
death on many a field. 

General Bragg, having completely flanked Buell's left, advanced in 
force, and enveloped a United States force of four thousand under 
Colonel Wilder, at Munfordsville, which, after a brief struggle, surren- 
dered September 17th. Bragg then addressed the people of Ken- 
tucky, urging them to join the Confederate cause ; but it was too 
late. Yet he pushed on to Frankfort, the capital, where he inaugu- 
rated as Governor of Kentucky, one Richard Hawes ; but even the 
South laughed at the farce. 

Buell, meanwhile, was moving slowly, waiting for reinforcements 
and supplies, although his army really outnumbered Bragg's. An 
order relievincr him from command induced him to advance. BraofSf 
then slowly retreated with his immense train of plunder gathered in 
Kentucky, and finally concentrated his forces at Perryville. Here, 
on the 8th of October, Buell came up with him. McCook, in the 
advance, had posted his divisions, and was consulting with Buell, 
when Bragg suddenly began the attack, Cheatham's division rushing 
with terrific yells upon General Jackson, who held the left of Mc- 
Cook's line. In a moment Jackson fell dead ; Terrill, next in com- 
mand, endeavoring to steady the line, was killed ; Colonel Webster, 
commanding the other brigade, fell, and the whole division gave way 
in utter panic. Rousseau's division, composed of Harris and L}tle's 
brigades, then received the shock, and stood it like heroes, fighting 



802 BUELL REMOVED ROSECRANS IN COMMAND. 

Steadily for three hours, but at last fell back to a stronger ground. 
Gilbert's corps was then attacked in flank, but Generals Mitchell and 
Sheridan not only repulsed the charge, but turning their guns on the 
portion of the enemy which had driven Rousseau, advanced on the 
Confederates, whom they broke and drove through Perryville, cap- 
turing trains and ammunition wagons, the artillery keeping up a hot 
fire as they advanced. Gooding, sent to McCook's aid, for a time 
checked the Confederate General Wood, but Gooding was taken, 
and his brigade fell back. Then night closed the strange battle. 

The battle of Perryville was one in which individual valor was 
more displayed than any generalship ; it was on both sides a battle 
without a plan, or any attempt to do more than attack or repel at- 
tacks as each best could. 

Buell was not on the field, and learned the state of affairs late in 
the day. He prepared for a general engagement the next day ; but 
Bragg, who had lost some four thousand men, and had three of his 
generals wounded, resumed his retreat, leaving many of his wounded, 
and abandoning more with his sick at Harrodsburg, with large quan- 
tities of stores which he could not carry away in his flight. He 
finally reached Cumberland Gap, and so escaped into Tennessee, 
Buell failing to overtake him. 

The result of these operations was a great disappointment to the 
people of the North, who had expected Buell to defeat Bragg 
utterly, and prevent any similar invasion. 

The Government at once (October 30) removed Buell, and con- 
fided the command to General Rosecrans. That general had just 
displayed great ability. Left in command of Northern Mississippi 
and Alabama, his force had been greatly weakened by Buell, when 



CONFEDERATE ATTACK ON CORINTH. S03 

he learned from General Grant that a laro;e Confederate force was 
advancing. He took the field, and finding that Price had occupied 
luka, concerted with Grant a plan for crushing him. On the 19th 
of September, Rosecrans moved in light marching order on luka, ex- 
pecting an attack on the opposite side by General Ord from Grant's 
army ; but Ord, deluded by a Confederate demonstration upon Corinth, 
never came up. Rosecrans, finding he must attack alone, handled 
his small force with wonderful ability. After the most desperate 
fiorhtintr he inflicted such loss on Price, that the Confederate com- 
mander, who had eleven thousand men, after losing nearly fifteen hun- 
dred men, as many stands of arms, and ammunition, abandoned luka, 
destroying great quantities of stores. Rosecrans, who had in action 
only two thousand eight hundred men, had, from want of expected 
co-operation, failed to capture Price, but he had utterly routed him. 

Rosecrans, made a major-general, was placed in command at Cor- 
inth, Grant returning to Jackson. Price, united with Van Dorn 
who had so deluded Ord, now prepared to attack Rosecrans, and 
they adroitly masked their design by feints on other points. 

General Rosecrans prepared for either event, with his army well 
in hand : his batteries were planted at points where they could com- 
mand the approaches, and his whole army was drawn up, not on the 
old Confederate fortifications, but on a smaller series suited to his 
numbers. Van Dorn and Price began the attack early in the morning 
of October 3d, General Lovell assailing Colonel Oliver's hillside po- 
sition : Rosecrans supported him, but the full weight of the Confed- 
erates, crushing back to their inner lines McArthur and McKean, 
showed that the attack on Corinth was a real one and not a feint. In 
spite of desperate fighting Van Dorn had gained a little, and exultingly 



804 THE BATTLE BECOMES GENERAL, 

telegraphed to Richmond that he had won a great victory. HeHttle 
knew the man he had to deal with. At three next mornine the battle 
opened again from Van Dorn's artillery, and shot and shell came 
hurtling into Corinth. Then Battery Williams replied, and silenced 
the Confederate guns. Meanwhile the rapid fire of skirmishers along 
the line showed that both were active. At half-past nine, from the 
woods east of the Memphis and Charleston railroad, a vast column of 
gleaming bayonets came in sight, and in the form of an immense 
wedore came down the Bolivar road. In vain Rosecrans' o-uns tore 
through the solid mass of Price's men : on it came, till within musket- 
shot. Then from Rosecrans' whole line poured out volley after vol- 
ley ; but the Confederates never faltered. Up the liill they poured, 
and before their charge General Davies gave way. Rosecrans rushed 
to the spot, rallied the men, and checked the enemy. Guns were taken, 
but the 56th Illinois charged, and retook them. Then Rosecrans 
charged with his whole line, and Price was hurled back, broken, and 
driven down the hill, through swamp and thicket, to the depths of the 
forest from which his troops had so grandly issued. 

Van Dorn, impeded by the ground, was later than Price in attack- 
ing, and Fort Williams and Fort Robinett commanded his approach, 
but he led his men bravely on. They charged to the very ditch, 
mown down by hundreds. Then the infantry fire cut them to pieces, 
yet the survivors rushed furiously on : for a moment it was hand to 
hand, but the next Van Dorn's shattered force was in flight. 

Rosecrans did not pause. He at once pursued with five fresh 
regiments that came up under McPherson, inflicting heavy loss at 
every step, while Hurlbut and Ord, sent on by General Grant from 
Bolivar, struck the Confederate advance at the Hatchie, adding to 



SLAVERY ABOLISHED IN FEDERAL TERRITORY. 805 

their disorganization and dismay. Rosecrans wished to push on, 
and if possible annihilate the whole force, but Grant recalled him. 
and the Government summoned him to take command of Buell's 
army. His loss at Corinth was two thousand three hundred and 
fifty-nine, in killed, wounded, and missing ; that of Price and Van 
Dorn, nine thousand three hundred and sixty-three. 

Fighting against an army of more than double his numbers, Rose- 
crans at Corinth achieved one of the most decisive victories of the 
war. 

Congress, meanwhile, was debating the great question of slavery, out 
of which the war originated. As the Southern States were no longer 
represented in Congress, the result was clear. On the i6th of April, 
1862, the first step was taken toward the universal emancipation of 
the slaves, by the passage of an act abolishing slavery in the District 
of Columbia, and providing for the payment of three hundred dollars 
for each slave. Bills to extend this plan to the Border States were 
opposed by the Democrats, and failed. But an act was passed abol- 
ishing slavery forever in aiYy Territory. Then came other acts, passed 
in July, confiscating the property and liberating the slaves of all who 
took up arms for the Confederate Government or abetted it in any 
Avay. 

It was very evident that slavery was doomed. The South, after 
more than a year's struggle, had not secured the Border States or 
•crushed the Northern States that still adhered to the Government of 
the United States; and nothing but such a triumph could save 
•slavery. 

Rosecrans, on taking command of Buell's force, now called the Army 
•of the Cumberland, found it sadly disorganized — without supplies, 



8o6 BATTLE AT STONE RIVER. 

horses, or means to take the field. Before he could put it into posi- 
tion to take the field, BraeiT- recoverino; from his late overthrow, had 
marched around, and appeared in force before Murfreesborough, while 
bands of Confederate cavalry, under Morgan and Forrest, had with 
the utmost boldness raided through all parts of Kentuck}-, destroy- 
ing at pleasure, capturing trains and small parties. 

Rosecrans organized his army of forty-six thousand men into three 
divisions, under Generals McCook^ Thomas, and Crittenden, and on 
the 26th of December moved out of Nashville. They found the Con- 
federate general in position on the bluffs beyond Stone River. 

Each general formed his plan of attack. Rosecrans arranged to 
attack the enemy with his left and centre ; but Bragg, early on the 
31st, suddenly attacked JMcCook, on Rosecrans' right, in front and 
flank, routing completely one of his divisions, although the others, 
under Generals Jefferson C. Davis and Sheridan, held their ground till 
most of the division and brigade commanders were killed, wounded, 
or taken. By eleven o'clock the day was apparently lost, McCook's 
corps was virtually demolished, the enemy's cavalry was on their rear. 
But Rosecrans pushed up Rousseau from his centre, and hurried up 
Van Cleve's and other divisions from the left, and when Van Cleve 
fell, led a charge which finally arrested the Confederates, and repelled 
their advance on his right. The centre, well handled by Thomas, bore 
the brunt of the Confederate attack, but its flanks were exposed, and 
it gradually fell back from the cedar woods to more open and favora- 
ble ground, his artillery on a ridge. This position he held firmly, 
defeating with slaughter all attacks. On the left, Woods held his own 
against Breckinridge — Rosecrans, as ever, at the point where a 
commander was needed, his friend and chief-of-stafT Garesche being 



GENERAL BRAGG AGAIN RETREATS. 807 

killed here by his side. At night, Rosecrans' army had lost half the 
ground it occupied, one-fourth its men, and the enemy's cavalry was 
busy in his rear. But he had no thoughts of retreating. He still had 
ammunition, and prepared for another day's fight. That night he 
drew up his force so as to profit by every advantage of ground, and 
prepared to fight it out. Rifle-pits and hasty defences were thrown 
up on both sides. New Year's Day passed in preparation. The next 
morning, Bragg's artillery opened, and while Van Cleve's division by 
Rosecrans' order crained a bluff, Bratre made his fierce and combined 

O '00 

attack, hurling Breckinridge's corps covereci by Polk's fire on Rose- 
crans' centre. It yielded to the shock : in vain the reserves came up ; 
they too were borne back, and the Confederates swept on till Critten- 
den's guns and Negley and Davis' men took them at a disadvantage, 
hurling them back in disorder, leaving guns, colors, and prisoners in 
the hands of Rosecrans. 

The next day he drove Bragg's sharpshooters from the woods in his 
front, and planted his batteries to open upon the Confederate lines. 
But Bragg had had enough. His cavalry, operating in Rosecrans' 
rear, had cut off trains and stores, crippling his power of pursuit ; so 
the Confederate commander, cautiously gathering up his men and 
guns, retreated near midnight on the 3d of January. He had lost, 
as he admitted, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, ten thousand men 
out of thirty-five thousand ; but his army and his loss were in all 
probability much larger. The loss of Rosecrans was about nine 
thousand out of thirty-seven. Such was the battle of Stone River, 
gallantly, obstinately, desperately fought, and won by the skill, energy, 
and indomitable spirit of Rosecrans. 

On the 31st, when this great battle opened, Forrest, with his cav- 



8o8 SMALL AND INDECISIVE OPERATIONS. 

airy, attacked and nearly captured Colonel Dunham, with a small 
brigade, at Parker's Cross Roads; but just as Dunham was summoned 
to surrender, General Sullivan came suddenly up, utterly routing For- 
rest, who lost six hundred of his men, with arms and horses, and fled 
across the Tennessee. Morgan was more successful, destroying the 
railroad and bridges at Elizabethtown and Bardstown, Kentucky. 
Then the United States adopted the same course, and General Carter 
dashed into East Tennessee, destroying bridges in various parts, and 
even penetrating into Virginia. 

Wheeler with his Confederate cavalry attacked Dover on the 3d of 
February ; but the Illinois Colonel Harding, though he had only six 
hundred men against thirty-five hundred, prepared to fight, after send- 
ing for reinforcements. He kept up the struggle so judiciously, that 
four gunboats, hearing of his position, came up at eight o'clock at 
night, and by a raking fire sent Wheeler's force in rapid flight, leav- 
ing a hundred and fifty dead, and as many prisoners, and losing four 
hundred wounded. In his flight he was struck by Colonel Minty, 
who reduced his force still more. 

The war in that portion of the country was confined for a time to 
small and indecisive operations, one of the boldest being that of Colo- 
nel Sleight, wh.o swept through Northern Alabama and Georgia, doing 
great injury to the Confederate cause, till he was surrounded, and 
being out of ammunition, surrendered. The Confederates regarded 
his men as prisoners of war, but treated him as a felon. 



CHAPTER VII. 

Operations against Vicksburg— Grant's First Attempt Defeated by Van Dorn's Capture of 
Holly Springs — General Sherman Aided by Porter's Gunboats — Attempts to Storm it, but 
is Repulsed with Heavy Loss— Grant's Various Attempts— He goes down the River— Bat- 
tles of Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills, Big Black — Vicksburg Invested 
— Pemberton Surrenders— Grant Drives Johnston from Jackson— Fight at Milliken's Bend 
— Operations in Louisiana and Texas under General Banks — His Repulse at Port Hudson 
— Second Attack — Gardiner Surrenders — Minor Operations. 

All these operations, East and West, although they entailed great 
loss of life, had not given the Uriited States Government command of 
a single Southern State, nor of any decisive point. The Mississippi 
was still held with a firm hand by the Confederates, who had made 
Vicksburg a place of great strength, and from that point controlled 
the navigation of the great river. It lies on one of the highest bluffs 
on the river, and had been fortified with great diligence and skill. 

The necessity of reducing it had early been felt by the United 
States. General Grant, in November, 1862, began operations against 
it, but his depot of arms, provisions, and munitions at Holly Springs, 
left under the care of Colonel Murphy of Wisconsin, with a thousand 
men, was captured by Van Dorn, almost without striking a blow. 

This disconcerted all Grant's plans ; but General W. T. Sherman, 
with the Army of the Tennessee, descending on Commodore Porter's 
gunboats, on the 26th of December made an assault on Vicksburg 
from the north ; but the defences were impregnable to simple assault. 
A garrison there might be surprised or starved out : if it did its 

duty, the place could never be stormed. The bayous and swamps so 

Sog 



8io Sherman's attack on vicksburg. 

covered it that there were only four points where it could be reached, 
and these were defended with all the best eneineerine skill. Yet 
Sherman trusted that valor could triumph. On the 26th and 27th of 
December, he landed his men on the south bank of the Yazoo, and 
pushed them forward in four columns, driving the enemy to the bluffs. 
But Chickasaw Bayou could be passed only at two points. General 
Steele found his way barred by an impassable swamp ; Morgan 
pushed on to the bluff ; Smith came to a sand-spit swept by the enemy's 
fire ; farther to the right was A. J. Smith's division. The next day 
the assault was made, and never did men go more gallantly into the 
fight. But Pemberton's rifle-pits were lined with sharpshooters : his 
artillery, covering every approach, rained grape and canister on the 
advance. Human nature could not stand it : slaughtered as they 
struggled through morass and quicksand, the troops at length recoiled. 
Two thousand men had been sacrificed in this desperate assault. 

Sherman was baffled, but did not despair: he concerted with Por- 
ter an attack on Drumgoold's Bluff ; but before he could carry it out, 
General McClernand, his senior in command, arrived. 

That general led the army to a new field. He sailed down the 
Mississippi and ran up the Arkansas, to attack Fort Hindman at the 
point known from the early French times as the Post of Arkansas. 

On the I ith of January, the attack was begun by Hovey, Thayer* and 
Smith, supported by the artillery. At three the guns of the fort were 
silenced, and a general assault was ordered ; but the Confederate Gen- 
eral Churchill saw that resistance was useless. He raised the white 
flag just as the 120th Ohio was swarming over his intrenchments. 
McClernand had carried the fort, and taken some five thousand pris- 
oners. After destroying the works, and all that he could not remove, 



COMMODORE PORTEr's CLEVER TRICK. 8ll 

he returned to Milliken's Bend. Just at Vicksburg is one of the 
great bends of the Mississippi. Grant's next project was a ship-canal 
across it, so that boats could run up and down without passing Vicks- 
burg : but after long toil, this proved utterly useless, and was aban- 
doned. A smaller canal to Lake Providence proved of some service. 

An attempt of General Ross to Bank the defences of Vicksburg by 
way of the Yazoo Pass failed, the gunboats in March being unable to 
silence or take the enemy's works. Then a passage by Sunflower 
River was tried, but this too was well defended by nature and art. 

Meanwhile, the Queen of the West ran past the Vicksburg batter- 
ies, and ascending the Red River, did considerable damage.to the Con- 
federate cause, till a treacherous pilot ran the vessel ashore. The 
commander, C. K. Ellet, and his crew, had to abandon the Queen, 
and in the Era reached the ironclad Indianola. That fine ironclad, 
ascending the Mississippi, was attacked during the night of February 
13th by the Confederate rams Webb and Queen of the W^est, which 
they had refitted, and two smaller gunboats. They attacked the In- 
dianola with great energy and skill, butting with their rams, until at 
last the Webb, striking her for the seventh time, stove in her stern. 
The Indianola in a sinking condition was then surrendered and run 
ashore. 

This gave the Confederates control of the Mississippi from Vicks- 
burg to New Orleans : but they lost their advantage by a queer trick 
of Commodore Porter. He fitted up an old flat-boat with clay furnace 
and smoke-stacks of pork-barrels to look like some new and terrible 
ram, and set her afloat. As the tide carried her past Vicksburg, all 
the batteries opened on her, and warning was sent to the Webb and 
Queen. Both fled in all haste ; the Indianola, which they were re- 



8l2 FEIGNED ATTACK ON HAINEs' BLUFF, 

pairing, was blown up, and the river was again clear : but all attempts 
of real gunboats above Vicksburg to pass below failed — all that tried 
the experiment being lost. 

Grant resolved on another attempt. As soon as the roads were 
practicable, in March, he took the field and pushed down to Hard 
Times ; then Porter ran the batteries, with his gunboats well pro- 
tected, and pouring into the Confederate batteries as they passed a 
furious broadside ; but the transports were not so fortunate : the 
Clay was burned, the Tigress sunk, the Forest Queen disabled. 

To confuse the Confederates, Grant sent Colonel Grierson, with a 
body of cavalry, to sweep as far as possible through the country. In 
a forced march of sixteen days he traversed six hundred miles, burn- 
ing railroad bridges, -cars.-stores, arms, and munitions, capturing five 
hundred prisoners, with the loss of only twenty-seven men. The 
enemy sent, out troops in all directions to head him off, but he baffled 
them all, and rode into Baton Rouge in safety, after fighting four 
times in the last tvyenty-eight hours of his daring ride. 

On the 29th of April, Grant resolved to try the batteries at Grand 
Gulf. Porter opened on them with his gunboats, but the enemy's 
works were too high. Despairing of success here. Grant fell down 
the Mississippi to Rodney, and crossing there on the 30th, pushed 
on the 13th Corps to Port Gibson, in the rear of Grand Gulf, the 17th 
Corps following close. Sherman, who had been left above, now with 
some of the gunboats that had not run down made a feigned attack 
on Haines' Bluff, a strong position on the Yazoo above Vicksburg, 
and kept it up till Grant summoned him to join the other corps below. 

Grant's advance under McClernand was met on May 2d, near Port 
Gibson, by a Confederate force under General Bowen, but, in spite 



VICKSBURG CUT OFF FROM SUPPLIES. 813 

of the difficult nature of the ground, McClernand fi_nally defeated him 
with heavy loss, and drove him into Port Gibson, which was abandoned 
that night. The strong works at Grand Gulf were also evacuated by 
the Confederates, leaving Grant master of the situation. A river, 
the Big Black, which passes near Vicksburg, emptied into the Miss- 
issippi at Grand Gulf. Up the left bank of this river Grant advanced, 
McPherson's corps nearest the river, McClernand's on the ridge, 
Sherman in the rear. Near Raymond the Confederate General 
Gregg attempted on the 12th to check the advance, but the fight was 
a short one. The furious Southron charge was met with a terrible 
fire of grape and canister under which it broke and fled, leaving 
nearly a thousand dead, wounded, and prisoners. McPherson then 
pushed on to Clinton,, on the Southern Mississippi Railroad, and 
began to destroy it from that point to Jackson, where it joins the 
Mississippi Central Railroad. But he was not to reach Jackson with- 
out a fight. A force of South Carolina and Georgia troops under Gen- 
eral Walker, had come up, and disputed the passage. McPherson 
charged. His whole line swept forward, driving the enemy into Jack- 
son. Artillery was soon planted to open on the capital of Mississippi, 
but the Confederates evacuated it ; and McPherson entered, Sher- 
man reaching it almost simultaneously by the road from Raymond. 

Vicksburg was now cut off from all supplies or reinforcements by 
railroad. 

General Pemberton was in position near Edward's Station, and 
Grant resolved to attack him before Walker's troops from Jackson 
could reach him. General Johnston, the Confederate commander-in- 
chief, equally anxious to effect a junction with Pemberton, ordered 
that commander to march on Clinton ; but when he reached Cham- 



8 14 VICKSBURG COMPLETELY INVESTED. 

pion Hill, Hovey's division in Grant's advance met him. McPherson 
supported, but McClernand did not come up. Unequal as the num- 
bers were, Hovey, though crowded back again and again, massed his 
artillery, and finally drove the Confederates back, losing in the long 
and desperate struggle, one-third of his force, while McPherson by a 
brilliant charge gained the enemy's rear, and cut off one division, 
which fled southward. 

Grant at once pursued. Pemberton made a stand at the Black, but 
Carr's division carried an important point, and the Confederate gen- 
eral fled across the river by bridges he had made of steamboats and 
now destroyed, leaving eighteen guns, one thousand five hundred 
prisoners, and quantities of arms and stores ten times more valuable 
to him than to Grant. 

Before Grant could force a passage, Pemberton was safe within the 
intrenchments of Vicksburg, which was completely invested by Grant 
on the 19th of May. Porter at once attacked Haines' Bluff, but the 
enemy fled, leaving guns, forts, munitions, tents, everything in fact, 
to fall into the hands of the fleet. Yazoo City, a great naval depot 
and workshop, was then taken. 

Grant was now before Vicksburg, and felt that no time was to be 
lost, as Johnston, the able Confederate commander, was in his rear, 
receiving reinforcements from Bragg's army. A general assault was 
ordered on the 19th of May. Blair's division actually planted its 
colors on the enemy's works, but the advantage gained was too slight, 
and the troops were recalled. On the 22d the assault was renewed. 
Again Blair led the storming party, but no troops could stand the 
deadly fire poured on them. The survivors recoiled. In vain did 
Ewing, Giles, and Kilby Smith try at various points. Flags were 



THE FALL OF VICKSBURG. 815 

planted on the works, and men mowed down like grass, but at night 
the troops were withdrawn : there was no success sufficient to bal- 
ance the heavy loss. 

McClernand had carried a couple of works, but was taken as in a 
trap. The other assaults were fruitless. At eight o'clock the men 
were recalled from the more advanced positions, and the assault 
ended, having cost Grant nearly three thousand men. 

He now (^.etermined on a regular siege, which Pemberton, driven 
into the city after a defeat, was in no position to continue long, as he 
needed provisions and ammunition. But he held out gallantl)'. Grant 
drew his siege-lines nearer, and ran mines under the main works. The 
first of these was sprung on the 25th of May ; then came another 
assault, that failed : and so the siege went on, fort after fort being 
mined ; Pemberton trying by countermines to defeat Grant's plans. 
The citizens, exposed to furious bombardment from the land side and 
the river, lived in caves dug into the bluff, with famine staring them 
in the face. At last, after forty-five days' siege, Pemberton, seeing that 
Johnston could not relieve him, hoisted a white flag. Grant at first 
demanded an unconditional surrender, but finally agreed that Pember- 
ton's men should be paroled and marched out of his lines, arms, public 
stores, and munitions to be surrendered. On the 4th of July, Grant 
entered Vicksburg, so long the object of the United States : the Con- 
federate arms were stacked ; the cannon looked idly on the river, 
where along the wharves lay the American gunboats. But this tri- 
umph had not been gained without blood. Nearly nine thousand was 
the fearful loss of the army from its landing below Grand Gulf. To 
the Confederate cause the fall of \^icksburg was a terrible blow. In 
the siege and the various actions, their loss in killed and wounded was 



8i6 banks' attack on port Hudson. 

ten thousand, and in prisoners thirty-seven thousand ; besides their 
strongest post with all its war material. 

Johnston, watched by Sherman, had been endeavoring to cut his 
way into Vicksburg. On him Grant now turned his strength. Sher- 
man with an army of fifty thousand men at once pursued that Con- 
federate general, driving him into Jackson. There Sherman invested 
him, but Johnston, eluding him after a brief action, fled across the 
Pearl, destroying bridges as he went. 

Another fortress fell soon after. General Banks had been operating 
in Louisiana, with a view to recovering Texas, but a series of disas- 
ters on the coast of that State baffled his projects. His force was too 
small to occupy all necessary points and invest Port Hudson, where 
the Confederates lay in strength. He began some operations on the 
Atchafalaya, but as Farragut proposed to run the Port Hudson bat- 
teries, he was summoned to attack that fortress. Farragut got past 
with part of his fleet, but the frigate Mississippi ran aground, was cut 
up and set on fire, floating down the great river at last one mass of 
flame. His other vessels suffered severely, and a land attack was aban- 
doned. Banks carried out his original campaign, breaking up Gen- 
eral Taylor's operations, capturing two thousand men and twenty-two 
guns. About the middle of May, on Grant's offer of aid, he proceeded 
to invest Port Hudson. This he effected May 26th, General Augur 
joining him from Baton Rouge, after defeating a force sent out by 
General Gardiner, the Confederate commander. A gallant assault was 
made the next day, but though the fleet aided, and caused the Confed- 
erates great loss, Banks' columns were hurled back with severe loss by 
the unseea enemy, who poured down grape and canister and volleys of 
musketry. A loss of nearly two thousand men was the result. 



MILITARY AFFAIRS IN TEXAS. 8l7 

A regular siege began, and after weary days of digging in the 
trenches, a second assault was made on the loth of June, with no 
important success. Gardiner was at the last extremity, nearly starv- 
ing, and Banks' mines ready to blow up his citadel, when, on July 
6th, news came that Vicksburg had fallen. When convinced of this, 
Gardiner at once opened communication with General Banks, and on 
the 8th surrendered the post with his garrison as prisoners of war. 
While Banks was operating before Port Hudson, the scattered posts 
in Louisiana were suddenly attacked by General Dick Taylor. Most 
of the commanders displayed incompetence and cowardice. Post 
after post was taken almost without a blow, no serious resistance 
being made ; but when Port Hudson fell, Taylor abandoned his con- 
quests as rapidly as he had made them, and retreated toward Texas. 

That State, by the wish of the Administration, was to be the scene 
of the next operations of the United States forces. An expedition 
under General Franklin, consisting of four thousand men, was sent 
with several orunboats under Lieutenant Crocker to attack Sabine 
Pass. Listead of landing his troops and marching on the enemy's 
works, Franklin let Crocker attack the fortifications. He lost two 
vessels, a third ran aground, and his killed, wounded, and prisoners 
equalled the whole Confederate force engaged. Such was the affair 
of September 8th, after which Franklin returned to New Orleans. 
Other reverses followed at Morganzia and Opelousas. 

Banks, meanwhile, prepared a new Texas expedition, which he 
led in person. Landing at Brazos Santiago on the 2d of November, 
he took successively Brownsville, Point Isabel, Aransas Pass, and 
invested Fort Esperanza at Matagorda Bay. This was all he deemed 
it prudent to do with the force he could spare. General Dana, left 



8l8 BURNSIDE COMMANDS THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 

in command, scoured the country, secured Indianola, and asked to 
be allowed to move inland and crush the Confederate forces in the 
State, but he was overruled. 

The frontier bordering on Mexico was now, however, in the hands 
of the United States Government for the first time since the com- 
mencement of the war. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

The Army of the Potomac under General Burnside — He Crosses the Rappahannock and At- 
tacks Lee's Position at Marye's Heights — He is Repulsed with heavy Loss, and Recrosses the 
River — Removed when about to Renew the Attack — General Hooker takes Command — He 
Crosses the Rappahannock — Battle of Chancellorsville— His Right W-r.g Turned by Jack- 
son, who is Killed — Desperate Fighting — Hooker Stunned by a Cannon-ball at Chancellors- 
ville — Sedgwick, Operating below. Attacked by Lee's whole Force and Driven across the 
River — Hooker Recrosses — Longstreet — Lee Flanks Hooker's Right — Milroy Surprised at 
Winchester — Lee Crosses the Potomac — Hooker, unable to Obtain the Garrison of Harper's 
Ferry, Resigns — Meade placed in Command — Movements of the Armies — They come in 
Collision at Gettysburg — The Battle — General Reynolds Killed and his Corps Driven through 
the Town — The Halt on Cemetery Hill — Sickles takes a wrong Position — Hancock — Meade 
Arrives — Sickles Driven Back — The Terrible Charge of Lee's whole Line — Its Repulse — Lee 
Retreats— Manassas Gap — Warren and Hill — The Armies Resume their old Positions — 
Mine Run — Droop Mountain. 

General Burnside, when placed in command of the Army of the 
Potomac, immediately commenced preparations for a movement of 
his forces down the Rappahannock to Frederick, Lee following on 
the opposite side of the river. Sumner, with the van, attempted to 
cross at Fredericksburg on the 17th of November, but failed, the 
Confederates having burned the bridge, and pontoons failing to ar- 
rive from Washington. The United States eunboats ascended the 
river, but were driven back, and the channel effectually closed by 
batteries. 

Fredericksburg refused to surrender, and having been occupied by 



Meagher's charge at marye's heights. S19 

sharpshooters who annoyed the American troops, was bombarded 
and greatly damaged. 

At last pontoons came, and the army crossed between the loth 
and 1 2th of December, in spite of the constant fire of Confederate 
sharpshooters, whom not even the fire of Burnside's batteries crashing 
into the houses could dislodge. At last a call was made for volun- 
teers to cross in small boats. Robert H. Hendershot, drummer-boy 
of the 7th Michigan, sprang into a boat, and, when compelled to 
leave, clung to the stern and crossed. Just as he landed, a fragment 
of a shell knocked his drum to pieces, but he soon found a musket, 
and returned to camp at the close of the day with one of the few 
prisoners brought off. 

Lee was drawn up behind the blufYs of the Rappahannock, as far 
down as the Massaponax. His army was divided into two corps, 
Jackson on the right, Longstreet on the left. Jackson was confronted 
by Franklin's division, forty thousand strong, while Hooker and Sum- 
ner were on the right, with at least sixty thousand. 

The attack began on the 13th of December, Couch's division mov- 
ing up Marye's Hill, through a storm of artillery and musketry, only 
to be confronted by a stone wall from which a perfect hurricane of 
fire poured on them. Hancock's corps, including Meagher's Irish bri- 
gade, charged with all the gallantry of their race against this wall of 
fire, till only two hundred and eighty men were left out of one thou- 
sand two hundred. Never was life so ruthlessly wasted. But fresh 
troops were sent up again, till the terraces and slopes leading up to the 
Confederate works were piled with dead and wounded. Franklin on 
the left lay inactive meanwhile, awaiting explicit orders, and, though 
he gained at last some advantage, fell back, when Lee, having repulsed 



820 BURNSIDE REMOVED — HOOKER IN COMMAND. 

every assault on Marye's Height, could turn his whole force against 
him. Night fell at last on this scene of un military slaughter, in which 
the army of the United States lost fifteen thousand men, including 
many officers of high merit, like Major-General George D. Bayard, 
Brigadier-General C. F. Jackson, and Colonel Heenan. Lee's loss 
was less than half that of Burnside, as his men fought behind defences 
and used their artillery effectively. 

Yet Burnside wished to renews the attack the next daj', and was with 
difficulty dissuaded. He remained two days in Fredericksburg, to see 
whether Lee would come out of his stronghold to fioht him — then re- 
crossed the river. 

He prepared plans for a new flanking movement, but his army was 
thoroughly disorganized. His subordinate generals remonstrated to 
Washington against him, and while he was about to dismiss several of 
them, he was himself relieved from command on the 2Sth of January, 
1863, ending his brief and unsatisfactory career. 

Major-General Hooker was then appointed to the dangerous post, 
to find the efficiency uf the army almost destroyed. Desertion and 
corruption prevailed: the enemy's cavalry were raiding all around the 
army. The first work was to reorganize, and to this Hooker devoted 
himself for two months, infusing new spirit into his officers and men, 
and creating confidence in himself as commander. In April, he sent 
General Stoneman with the cavalry to cross the river to strike Fitz- 
hugh Lee's Confederate Cavalry near Culpepper Court House, and 
then to push on toward Richmond, destroying bridges, crippling rail- 
roads, and impeding in every way the retreat of Lee. 

Then, by a masterly movement, deceiving Lee completely by throw- 
ing troops across at Franklin's and Pollock's Mill, below Fredericks- 



HOOKER IN A DIFFICULT PLIGHT. 82 1 

burg, Hooker silently pushed his main body up the river to Kelly's 
Ford, and crossing there, moved on Chancellorsville, driving in Gen- 
eral Anderson. 

Lee at once, leavino- a small force to face Sedgfwick below and hold 
the heights of Fredericksburg, advanced with .all his forces to mc t 
Hooker. 

That general was in a difficult country of woods and thickets of 
which he knew nothing. His movements were uncertain. He could 
not tell his antagonist's force at any point. Sykes, leading the Fifth 
Corps, advanced toward Fredericksburg, but soon met the enemy in 
superior numbers, and was ordered to fall back. Sickles' corps, the 
Third, had been posted in reserve at the centre . Slocum ajid Howard 
held the right. Thus the army stood on the morning of May 2d. 
Sickles soon saw Lee's troops passing- toward the right, and charged 
them, capturing many, but the movement was continued further off. 
He pushed on, cautious and watchful ; but his warnings had been un- 
heeded by General Hooker as well as by Generals Howard and Slo- 
cum, who had not even thrown up earthworks or batteries. 

At si.x o'clock, as the winter day was closing, the movement was 
explained. Stonewall Jackson, with twenty-five thousand men, at- 
tacked the Eleventh Corps on three sides. It was not in line, and was 
scattered in a moment, every general and colonel disabled or taken, 
and the whole corps driven in wild confusion on Chancellorsville. 

Sickles, finding at last that the Eleventh Corps was routed, called 
on Hooker to sustain him, but that general could not even send him 
a division of his own corps. Sickles, with two divisions of his corps, 
was left to hold out as best he could. He was well posted; and 
Pleasanton coming with a small body of cavalry, arrested Stonewall 



822 DISASTER AND SLAUGHTER AT CHANCELLORSVII.LE. 

Jackson's charge on Sickles' corps, which he hoped to treat as he had 
Howard's. But Keenan, with the 8th Pennsylvania, died Hke heroes, 
to give Pleasanton time to get into position, while Sickles gathered 
all the fugitives he could to swell his force. Suddenly from the 
woods burst the Confederate line with all the fury of their usual 
charge : but the ground was covered by Pleasanton's guns double 
shotted with canister, and the yelling masses were hurled back to the 
woods. Three times was the charge repeated, and as often repulsed. 
General Thomas Jonathan Jackson, the famous Stonewall, being 
mortally wounded. When the respite, came. Sickles and Pleasanfon 
strengthened their position, and even regained some of Howard's lost 
ground. But General Hooker ordered Sickles to fall back. 

In the morning, his corps bore the brunt of Lee's first attack, made 
with utter recklessness by J. E. B. Stuart, reinforced again and again, 
until Sickles began to yield. He called upon Hooker for reinforce- 
ments, but the commander of the army lay senseless at the Chancel- 
lorsville House, a cannon-ball, striking a pillar, having dashed him to 
the ground. No one assumed command. Sickles fought on, repelling 
five charges. French and Hancock charging the enemy's left and re- 
lieving Meade, who was hard pressed. 

At last. General Couch ordered the whole army to fall back toward 
the river. 

Meanwhile, Sedgwick had pushed on, entered Fredericksburg, and, 
with some loss, carried the heights, so fatal to Burnside. Then he 
moved forward on the Chancellorsville road. By this time, Lee, hav- 
ing seen all fighting cease at Chancellorsville, detached forces to meet 
Sedgwick. Before that general lay a strong position, which it became 
more and more difficult to carry, while his own position became critical. 



I 



LEE DECIDED ON A BOLD MOVE. 823 

Hooker had recovered, and taken command again ; but he did not 
attack Lee, who, seeing all safe in that direction, turned his whole 
force on Sedgwick, and drove him across the river with the loss of 
five thousand men. Hooker then recrossed, and the strangely fought 
battle ended. 

Hooker had lost full eighteen thousand men, with a host of able 
and experienced officers, among whom may be mentioned Generals 
Berry and Whipple. The Confederates made no statement of their 
losses, but from the reckless bravery of their assaults it was probably 
as great, and the loss of Stonewall Jackson was a terrible blow. 

Stoneman's cavalry movement effected some little damage, but was 
an utter failure so far as the cutting off of Lee's communications 
with Richmond was concerned. 

While this battle was fought, General Longstreet, with part of 
Lee's army forty thousand strong, was besieging Suffolk. But Gen- 
eral Peck, aided by gunboats, though his force never exceeded four- 
teen thousand, kept Longstreet at bay, and even captured one of his 
batteries, men and guns. At last, after losing nearly a month, and 
two thousand men, Loncrstreet retired. 

For a time the two armies lay watching each other, when Lee de- 
cided on a bold move. He resolved to elude Hooker, and strike 
northward. Leaving a small force in Fredericksburg, he pushed on 
to the Shenandoah Valley, unperceived by Hooker, or by the ofificers 
in command there. Winchester was held by General Milroy, with 
ten thousand men ; when the approach of the enemy in force was re- 
ported, he derided it, but on the 14th of June was attacked by Ewell. 
He attempted to escape, but it was too late — the enemy were in his 
rear, and cut off his flight ; not half his force reached Harper's Ferry. 



824 GENERALS CHANGED ON THE EVE OF BATTLE. 

The Government now took alarm. Pennsylvania called out her 
militia; New York, New Jersey, Ohio, and West \'irginia were 
called upon by the President to send militia to the relief of the 
threatened State. But the country was disheartened by the length 
and errors of the war, and its bravest men were in the army, or dead 
on the countless battle-fields. Not more than fifty thousand re- 
sponded to the call. 

General Hooker, on the day of the attack on Winchester, began his 
march northward ; but the Confederate cavalry swept along in Lee's 
front, and were already in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, levying con- 
tributions. General Ewell, pursuing Milroy, entered it on the i6th 
of June. Hooker at last covered Washington, and reinforced by part 
of the troops in the defences at Washington, had at last a hundred 
thousand men to meet Lee, who marched through Hagerstown with 
ninety-one thousand, and six thousand cavalry, while at least five 
thousand cavalry were spreading havoc through Penns)lvania. 
Hooker, with the eye of a general, resolved to secure the mountain 
passes, and cut off Lee's line of retreat through the Cumberland and 
Shenandoah Valleys, and for this purpose wished to use the troops 
near Harper's Ferry. But General Halleck, as general-in-chief, would 
not permit him to add to his army the garrison at Maryland Heights 
On this, General Hooker asked to be relieved of his command, and 
General Meade was appointed to command the Army of the Potomac, 
which thus changed generals on the very eve of a battle. 

Major-General George C. Meade, thus suddenly and unexpectedly 
raised to the command of the army when he actually expected to be 
arrested on charges preferred by Hooker, was a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, and, from an early period of the war, connected with the re- 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG OPENED, 825 

serves of that State. He was the very reverse of the bold and dar- 
ing Hooker ; he was cautious, judicious, careful. General Hooker, on 
retiring, truly styled him " a brave and accomplished officer, who had 
nobly earned the confidence and esteem of the army on many a well- 
fought held." He had displayed his ability at Gaines' Mill, Malvern, 
South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville. 

When he assumed command of the Army of the Potomac, Lee, who 
had been levying heavy contributions on the people of Pennsylvania, 
was rapidly concentrating his troops at Gettysburg, intending to march 
on Harrisburg, and not yet aware that Hooker was almost in sight, 
Meade had either to meet Lee at Gettysburg, or draw him to ground 
of his own selection. The choice was not left to him. His cavalry, 
in the advance under General Kilpatrick, encountered Stuart's Con- 
federate horse near Hanover, and a sharp fight ensued, in which Kil- 
patrick drove his antagonists off only when Custer came to his aid. 
General Buford, moving from Gettysburg, at Willoughby Run, two 
miles from town, encountered the van of Lee's army, Heth's brigade 
of Hill's corps. General John F. Reynolds, with the First and 
Eleventh Corps, Wadsworth's division in the van, were near at hand, 
and the First pressed rapidly forward through Gettysburg, and forcing 
back Hill, seized and held the ridge overlooking the place. Reynolds 
was with the advance, and saw that it was the place for battle. He 
sent back for the other corps to support him, but while reconnoitering 
was struck by a sharpshooter's bullet, and fell forward on his face 
dead. Thus opened, on the ist of July, the battle of Gettysburg. 

That pretty little old-fashioned village lies on the northern slope 
of a hill, Stevens' Run winding through the valley below, and a 
college and seminary dotting the opposite hillside. When Reynolds 



826 ALL THE CORPS ORDERED TO GETTYSBURG. 

fell, General Abner Doubleday took command ; but the Eleventh 
Corps did not come up, and Hill pressed Wadsworth back. But that 
general yielded without confusion and with a purpose, for when the 
eager pursuers under Archer were pressing on him, he suddenly 
swung around his right division, and caught Archer, and nearly a 
thousand men, the whole of Davis' Mississippi brigade, in a perfect 
trap, the cut of an unfinished railroad. 

When Doubleday reached Seminary Hill, Howard came up with the 
Eleventh Corps, and taking command of the First, put Schurz at the 
head of the Eleventh. Here the battle was renewed : the two corps, 
well posted, repelled all assaults till one o'clock, when the Confederates 
saw Ewell's corps coming to their aid from the direction of York. 
They came rapidly into the fight, and threw their whole force on the 
Eleventh Corps. It was routed and sent back on Gettysburg, carrying 
with it the First, which had hitherto done so well. The two corps, 
suffering terrible losses, were driven throu-h the town, but were at 
last rallied on Cemetery Hill, reduced to one-half their numbers. 

Sickles, with the Third Corps, was at Emmettsburg, halting by 
Meade's order ; but on Howard's call he pressed on, leaving a part 
of his force at Emmettsburg. Just as Howard had taken post on 
Cemetery Hill, Sickles came up and took post on his left. Meanwhile 
Meade, at Taneytown, learning that the battle had unexpectedly 
opened, sent on General Hancock to assume the chief command, and 
that general stationed VVadsvvorth's shattered division on Gulp's Hill, 
at his right ; and part of Slocum's Twelfth Corps, which now came up, 
he ordered to Round Top on his left. Meade, satisfied now that Get- 
tysburg was the place for battle, ordered up all the corps. During the 
night, Hancock's corps, the Second, under General Gibbon, came up. 



DEADLY STRUGGLE AT ROUND TOP. 827 

and Sedgwick's, the Sixth, was alone wanting ; but was rapidly ap- 
proaching, having thirty-six miles to march. His right, consisting of 
the Twelfth. Corps and Wadsworth's division of the First, on Gulp's 
Hill ; the Eleventh, with Robinson's and Doubleday's divisions of 
the First, held Cemetery Hill ; left of them lay Hancock's Second 
Corps ; while the Third, under Sickles, formed the left wing, run- 
ning from Hancock to Round Top. 

Lee, too, drew up his army. Hill's corps formed his centre, Ewell's 
the left ; the right to be held, when he arrived, by Longstreet. The 
day was nearly spent in these manoeuvres, and Meade had just posted 
Sedgwick, who had arrived with the Sixth Corps, when the battle 
opened. Sickles had injudiciously advanced, exposing himself greatly. 
Lee ordered Longstreet to attack him ; while Ewell assailed Slocum, 
who held the right. Sickles was crushed back, and the Confederates 
pressed on to gain Little Round Top, a position of vital importance to 
Meade. They had almost carried it when Sykes, sent by Meade to 
save it, came up, and it cost a fierce and bloody struggle. Sykes suc- 
ceeded ; but Humphreys, on Sickles' right, assailed in front and flank, 
only by a most heroic and skilful fight was able to fall back to the 
position which Sickles should never have left. Then came a deadly 
strueSfle for Round Top. 

Slocum, on the right, weakened by detachments, lost some ground 
under Ewell's stern pressure ; and Lee closed the day by an ineffec- 
tual attack on Howard's corps, which held the face of the hill. 

Lee was hopeful and confident. Three of Meade's seven corps had 
been terribly reduced ; Reynolds was dead ; Sickles had lost a leg ; 
Zook, one of his brigadiers, was dead ; while of the rank and file the 
loss must have been nearly twenty thousand men. 



828 GREAT ARTILLERY COMBAT THE DAY IS WON. 

All prepared for the morrow, when the decisive struggle must be 
made. The garrison of Maryland Heights, which had been refused 
to Hooker, were not called on by Meade, who here yielded to the 
ideas of others. There w^as no reserve, no reinforcement to help him. 
He must fisfht out the battle as he was. 

Cemetery Hill was the centre of Meade's line. Early had in vain 
attacked it the first day. On it Lee now turned the fire of no less 
than a hundred and fifteen heavy guns posted along Seminary Ridge. 
It was the greatest artillery combat ever seen in America. Meade's 
guns, inferior to Lee's, were at last silent. Then Lee charged with his 
whole line, three or four miles long, and the Confederates rushed furi- 
ously on, attacking Meade's whole line as it lay veiled in smoke from 
the Round Top, where Sykes held out, to the Cemetery, where Han- 
cock was grimly awaiting them. On they came in three lines, with 
the disciplined steadiness of veterans. The first line was swept away 
by the cannonade and musketry of Meade ; but the second line 
pressed on, driving in his lines, bayoneting the gunners at their pieces : 
but where they gained an advantage like this, artillery would open 
an enfilading fire, and again they were swept away, or so isolated that 
they had no alternative but to lay down their arms and surrender. 
Whole regiments, and even a brigade, thus yielded to Hancock's 
sturdy corps. 

In spite of their terrible earnestness, their splendid drill and 
bravery, the Confederate troops failed to carry a single point of 
Meade's line, heavy as his loss was in officers and men. Lee gathered 
up the broken fragments of his splendid force, formed his lines, and 
marched away. The day was won. The Army of the Potomac 
could boast of one decided and decisive victory. 



AFTER THE GREAT BATTLE. 829 

But Meade was without ammunition or fresh troops to renew the 
struggle and profit by his victory. Sykes pushed on, indeed, recov- 
ering the arms and wounded left in Sickles' repulse, and capturing 
some prisoners. 

The battle of Gettysburg, in desperate and continued fighting, had 
as yet been unequalled in the war. Meade left nearly three thou- 
sand dead on the field, while his wounded and missing numbered 
twenty thousand. Lee's losses were fully as great, and included many 
generals and higher officers ; he left, too, over thirteen thousand pris- 
oners in Meade's hands, and twice that number of" arms. 

In this battle, Henry Shaler, a boy attached to an Indiana reg- 
iment took more prisoners than any other. On the morning of the 
4th, noticing a party of Confederates near where he was, he went out 
with his poncho over his shoulders, and they mistook him for one of 
their own army. He told them to lay down their arms for a minute, 
and come help carry some wounded off the field. They followed him 
without mistrusting ; but when he got them some distance, he rode 
up to the lieutenant in command, and ordered him to surrender, which, 
with a revolver pointed at his head, the ofificer did. Henry then 
marched ofificer and men into camp. 

During the 2d and 3d, the cavalry of the two armies had several 
slight collisions ; but on the 3d, the Confederates, under Hood, made 
a vigorous effort to turn Meade's left on the Emmetsburg road; 
but this was defeated by Merritt's cavalry and Farnsworth's bri- 
gade. 

Though urged by some of his officers to make a general advance, 
Meade only sent out bodies of cavalry on the 4th, who returned with 
prisoners, reporting the Chambersburg road strewn with wounded 



830 LEE RECROSSES THE POTOMAC FOLLOWED BY MEADE. 

and stragglers, ambulances, and caissons, showing the enemy to be 
in full retreat and greatly demoralized. 

On the 5th, Sedgwick was at last sent in pursuit of Lee with the 
Sixth Corps. Near Funkstown, his advance under Howe and Buford 
came upon the enemy. Although, from Meade's cautious policy, 
they sought to avoid a general engagement, they took up a strong 
position, which the Confederates attacked ; but Howe's troops were 
remarkably good — they quietly repulsed the Confederates twice, and 
the third time sent them in full retreat back into Funkstown. Lee, 
by showing a bold front to Sedgwick at Fairfield Pass, prevented an 
attack, and at last, by what must be deemed a marvellous escape, 
reached the Potomac at Williamsport. But his troubles were not 
ended. General French, who had lain idle at Frederick, had sent a 
cavalry force to Falling Waters, which captured Lees guard and de- 
stroyed his bridge. Lee was forced to prepare for an engagement, 
for Meade was in full force near him. He drew up his army to make 
a desperate fight ; but on Meade calling a council of his corps com- 
manders, he found that a majority, and among them the oldest and 
most experienced, opposed the plan of attacking Lee. Meade yielded 
to their advice, and stood still while Lee crossed the Potomac, no at- 
tempt to molest him being made, except a cavalry charge by General 
Kilpatrick, about two miles from their bridge .a't Falling Waters. In 
this skirmish the Confederate General Pettigrew, commanding Lee's 
rear-guard, was killed, with a hundred and twenty-five of his men, 
fifteen hundred being captured. 

General Meade crossed the Potomac at Berlin, on the i8th> and 
pushed on to Warrenton, resuming the line of the Rappahannock, 
which the army under his command had left hardly two months before 



THE SHARP ACTION AT BRISTOW STATION. 83 1 

— and a most eventful two months they had been. He had out- 
stripped Lee, and seized the passes through the Blue Ridge, pre- 
venting the Confederate commander from coming out of the Shen- 
andoah Valley in that direction ; but that energetic general soon 
reached his old lines south of the Rappahannock. 

The two armies were thus in the same position which they had so 
long occupied. Lee soon after sent part of his forces to reinforce 
Bragg ; and Meade having by cavalry expeditions under Buford, Kil- 
patrick, and Pleasonton, ascertained this, crossed the Rappahannock, 
and took post at Culpepper Court House, throwing forward two corps 
to the Rapidan, and was about to cross it when he was ordered to send 
the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps, under Hooker, to aid our army at 
Chattanooga. On receiving reinforcements, Meade again advanced, 
but Lee pushed boldly upon him. Then, on the 13th of October, 
Meade retreated to Cattell's Station and Centreville, pursued so rap- 
idly by Lee's cavalry that they actually got into the midst of his army. 
A sharp action occurred on the 14th, near Bristow Station, between 
Hill's corps and General Warren's, the Second Corps of Meade's army, 
in which the United States troops repulsed the Confederates, and held 
the field till evening, when they followed the rest of the army, whose 
retreat they had covered. 

Then Lee, having with an inferior force chased our army almost up 
to Washington, destroyed the railroad by which it received its sup- 
plies, and large quantities of valuable stores, and taken two thousand 
prisoners, recrossed the Rappahannock. 

At the same time, Imboden's cavalry had dashed through a gap in 
the Blue Ridge and captured Charlestown, near Harper's Ferry, with 
four hundred and twenty-four men, and valuable stores. 



832 Meade's attack at mine run. 

Eager to retrieve his credit, Meade wished to attack Fredericksburg, 
but Halleck overruled him. Then he made an attack with Sedof- 
wick's Fifth and Sixth Corps on Lee's position at Rappahannock 
Station. The attack was gallantly made on the 7th of November, 
by General David A. Russell's division, the 6th and 20th Maine 
and 5th Wisconsin leading. It proved perfectly successful, carrying 
the works, while the 121st New York and 5th Maine swept down 
on the right, cutting off the retreat of the Confederate garrison, cap- 
turing sixteen hundred of them, with four cannon and two thousand 
muskets. 

At the same time, the Second and Third Corps, under General 
French, crossed on a pontoon bridge at Kelly's Ford, General de 
Trobriand leading, and captured the 12th Virginia regiment. 

Lee, thoroughly worsted, fell back to Culpepper, and the next 
night crossed the Rapidan. 

Meade, after some delay, pushed on cautiously, and with his army 
of seventy thousand men, on the 27th of November, came up to Lee, 
who had his fifty thousand posted at Mine Run. Meade's first attack 
was delayed by French's corps failing to come into line in time. Lee 
kept strengthening his already formidable position, so that Meade 
found it rash to attack him in front, which was bristling with abattis, 
parapets, and batteries. After a careful reconnaissance, an attack 
directly in front was negatived by the majority of the generals. Then 
Warren was sent southward, with the Second and Sixth Corps, to 
feel the enemy's flank and turn it. On his report that an attack was 
practicable at that point, Meade massed several corps there, and pre- 
pared for a battle, Sedgwick to attack on the right as soon as Warren 
began. 



MEADE HAMPERED BY ORDERS FROM WASHINGTON. 833 

Artillery and skirmishes opened the action early in the morning of 
November 30th, but soon word came from Warren that Lee's de- 
fences were too strong to attack with any hope of carrying them. 

Meade hastened to the spot, and concluded to desist for the day. 
The next day he fell back beyond the Rapidan ; and thus terminated 
the campaign of the Army of the Potomac in 1863. 

It seems strange that the army made no attempt to bring Lee to 
battle ; but Meade was not one who liked to assume too great a re- 
sponsibility, he was hampered by orders from Washington, and the 
corps commanders, from motives of their own, always decided against 
active measures. 

The only other operations in Virginia at this period were cavalry 
raids, sometimes successful, sometimes repulsed. Late in the fall, 
General Averill, with a force of five thousand men, engaged the 
Confederates under General Echols, on the top of Droop Mountain, 
in Greenbriar County, and routed him with heavy loss. West Vir- 
ginia was by this blow delivered from the Confederates, who never 
afterward attempted to occupy it, contenting themselves with occa- 
sional raids. 



CHAPTER IX. 

Morgan's Raid through Indiana and Oh'io — The War in Tennessee — Rosecrans flanks Bragg 
and drives him to Lafayette — Bragg Faces— Battle of Chlckamauga— Rosecrans Defeated — 
Grant succeeds him— Bragg sends Longstreet against Burnside — Campbell's Station — 
Longstreet Repulsed— Cavahy Raids — Grant's Campaign — Hooker Crosses the Tennessee 
— Wauhatchie— Lookout Mountain— Mission Ridge — Sherman — Cleburne checks Hooker at 
White-Oak Ridge — Knoxville Relieved — The War in Missouri, Arkansas, and Indian Terri- 
tory— Marmaduke at Springfield, Hartsville, Batesville, and Cape Girardeau — Coffey's Oper- 
ations — Quantrell's Cruelties — Indian Operations — The Sioux War. 

The West was at this time the theatre of one of the wildest and 
boldest affairs of the war. 

This was Morgan's celebrated raid into Ohio. Morcran was a great 
partisan cavalry leader in the Confederate service, and had already 
given the United States commanders infinite trouble in Kentucky 
and Tennessee, by the boldness and celerity of his movements. This 
bold rider, who will long be remembered in the West, started from 
Sparta at the end of June, and crossed the Cumberland, with some two 
thousand men and four pieces of light artillery. Every preparation 
Avas made for rapid movement, his men and horses being of the best. 
His first operation was not ominous of success. On the 4th of July 
he came upon two hundred men of the 25th Michigan, under Colonel 
Moore, at Tebb's Bend of Green River, and summoned them to sur- 
render. Moore replied that, being the glorious Fourth, he couldn't 
entertain the proposition. Morgan at once assaulted, but Moore 
had hastily and well defended his position. For several hours he 
kept Morgan at bay, killing fifty of the assailants, including several 
of Morgan's best ofificers, and wounding two hundred and fifty. At 

last the Confederate commander drew off. 

834 



morgan's raid into OHIO — CAPTURE. 835 

At Lebanon he was more successful. With some loss, he defeated 
Colonel Hanson, and firing the place, compelled him to surrender. 
Then he pushed on to the Ohio, and seizing two steamboats, crossed 
over, his original force being swelled to four thousand men by recruits 
from Kentucky Secessionists. Reaching the northern shore, he moved 
irregularly to avoid pursuit, knowing that General Hobson was after 
him. He galloped through Corydon, Greenville, and Palmjra, cap- 
tured three hundred and fifty Home Guards at Salem, Indiana, 
destroyed railroads, bridges, telegraphs, and depots, exacting contri- 
butions as he went, and sweeping off horses. The militia at Old 
Vernon turned out so formidably that he avoided an action, and 
sweeping around Cincinnati, reached the Ohio at Buffington Island, 
expecting to cross and escape to West Virginia. 

But Hobson had resolved to head him off, and had sent to Louis- 
ville to have the river patrolled by gunboats, and the people in Ohio 
obstructed the roads leading to the river, so as to impede Morgan. 
When the Confederates attempted to cross at Pomeroy, they were re- 
ceived by a volley, and a gunboat opened on them, while three heavy 
columns of infantry opened fire on their rear and right. There was 
little time for deliberation : leaving his guns and wagons with six hun- 
dred sick, wounded, and dismounted men, Morgan fled up the river to 
Belleville, and began to cross, when Hobson and Shackleford were on 
him again, and gunboats confronted him. Some three hundred got 
■over, retreated to a high bluff, and fora time held out ; but the strug- 
gle was hopeless. Morgan and a small band managed to escape, but 
the rest surrendered. The commander himself, continuing his desper- 
ate flight, was hemmed in by militia and home guards near New Lis- 
bon, and surrendered July 25th. His raid of nearly a month had 



S36 ROSECRANS PREPARED TO ADVANCE. 

thrown the whole State into confusion, and the destruction of property 
was considerable; but of his whole force of four thousand, only four 
hundred escaped back to the Confederate lines, and at least five hun- 
dred were killed and wounded. So exasperated were the people, that 
Morgan and several of his officers were taken to Columbus, confined 
in the penitentiary and treated as felons ; but Morgan, with six others, 
dug their way out, and escaped to Kentucky, where they found 
friends who aided them to reach the Confederate lines. 

The great operation of the war in the West was the advance of 
Rosecrans. Bragg lay before him, superior in cavalry, with abundant 
railroad lines of supply or retreat in his rear ; while Rosecrans, infe- 
rior in cavalry, depended on one line, which, running through a coun- 
try favoring the Confederate cause, had to be protected by troops at 
almost every step. When Rosecrans obtained from the reluctant 
authorities at Washington the cavalry and horses he needed, he pre- 
pared to advance. 

Bragg's army was in three divisions. Polk was in a formidable 
position at Shelbyville with another intrenched camp at Tulla- 
homa. Hardee was on his riorht at Wartrace with twelve thousand 
men ; while Buckner was near Knoxville and Chattanooga. 

Rosecrans resolved to force him out of his strong position by a flank 
movement, and a feigned attack on Shelbyville. On the 24th of June 
he began his march, although heavy rains made the roads almost im- 
passable. General McCook, with the 20th Corps, pushed on to- 
ward Shelbyville, and carried Liberty Gap by a vigorous attack, 
Thomas pushing on Manchester, with the 14th Corps, carrying 
Hoover's Gap with Wilder's mounted brigade. On the 27th, Rose- 
crans had his headquarters in Manchester, and Bragg, overpowered and 



ERAGG AGAIN OUTGENERALED BY ROSECRANS. 837 

deceived, had been forced back to Fairfield. Granger and Stanley 
tlieii carried Guys Gap, llie Confederates retreating to tlieir rifle-pits 
near Slielbyville. Althougli at tlie risli of being overvvlielmed by 
superior numbers, Granger and Stanley pushed on, and at six o'clock 
in the afternoon carried Shelbyville itself, with five hundred prisoners 
and a large store of provisions. 

Rosecrans at once sent Wilder with his cavalry to destroy Elk 
River bridge in Bragg's rear, and proceeded to flank the Confederates 
at Tullahoma ; but Bragg, completely outgeneralled, decamped, and fled 
so hastily, that Rosecrans, having to guard his lines, could not pursue 
him ; and though some blamed him, all who knew the country and its 
condition justified the wisdom of his course. 

In nine days, at a loss of only five hundred men, he had cleared 
Middle Tennessee of the enemy, capturing one thousand six hundred 
prisoners, with arms, artillery, and stores. 

By the 25th of July, Rosecrans had collected the provisions re- 
quired for an advance through a sterile and exhausted mountain 
region. He then moved on Chattanooga, the remaining Confederate 
stronghold in Tennessee. Upon this Rosecrans now moved with great 
rapidity, and yet with caution. Sheridan, Reynolds, McCook, and 
Brannan crossed the Tennessee at points selected by Rosecrans, 
where they would be least observed ; Crittenden pushed on to Look- 
out Mountain, and looked down into Chattanooga, while Thomas pushed 
across Mission Ridge to the Chickamauga Valley. Bragg was again 
outgeneralled : he relinquished Chattanooga, and saved his army, re- 
tiring South to Georgia, drawing up at Lafayette. There he concen- 
trated and called for aid. Buckner, eluding Burnside, hastened to his 
support from East Tennessee ; Lee, holding Meade inactive, sent to 



S38 BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA. 

Braggs aid Longstreet with his veterans ; militia were sent up to aid 
liiin in guarding bridges, depots, etc. 

Rosecrans, who supposed him retreating on Rome, pushed on to 
meet an army of nearly a hundred thousand men, the finest army the 
Confederates ever massed west of the Alleghanies. 

On the 10th of September, the van of Rosecrans' army, under Crit- 
tenden and Thomas, found the enemy in force at Tunnel Hill and 
Dug Gap. McCook, flanking Bragg, found that he was no longer in 
retreat. Rosecrans had been infoi-nied by General Halleck that Bragg 
had sent part of his army to reinforce Lee, and was thus misled — find- 
ing Bragg not weakened, but greatly reinforced. 

Aware now that he had been deceived and misled, he saw that he 
must concentrate and light. Bragg, his inferior in generalship, had 
failed to entrap Rosecrans. 

The American general's arm,y, as now concentrated, was drawn 
up with seven divisions forming the main line, ranging from right to left 
from Gordon's Mill northward — Gordon Granger in reserve in the 
rear of the left, covering the roads to Chattanooga. Bragg attempted 
to turn and crush the left, while Polk pressed Rosecrans' front at Gor- 
don's Mills, and Hill covered his left flank. 

The battle opened on the 19th of September, at Reed's and Alex- 
ander's bridges over the Chickamauga, Thomas attacking : the Confed- 
erates, however, soon sent up fresh troops, and a long and fierce strug- 
gle ensued, as each side was reinforced. By four o'clock, Thomas had 
repulsed the assaults, killing the Confederate General Preston Smith, 
but he prepared for fresh attack. This time it came on his right, a 
charge so impetuous that his men recoiled, till General Hazeu, of 
Crittenden's corps, massing his artillery on a ridge, sent the enemy 



THE BATTLE ON SUNDAY. 839 

back in disorder. Cleburne, indeed, again led up the Confederates ; but 
when night fell, Thomas held his ground. 

On the right, Eosecrans had done well. McCook had met and sus- 
tained firmly the charge of Hood. 

When night came, Rosecrans had lost no ground, but he saw that 
he was outnumbered, and could expect no reinforcements, while Bragg 
was constantly receiving them. He drew up his line to the utmost ad- 
vantage, and at daylight galloped along the lines, and ordered some 
changes of position. The battle on Sunday, the 20th, began by Breck- 
inridge making a flanking movement across the Eossville road. Rose- 
crans sent up to support Beatty and Baird, and Breckinridge was 
driven back in disorder. Other Confederate corps came up succes- 
sively, but Thomas stood like a wall of iron : Bragg failed to turn his 
flank and get between him and Chattanooga. 

Rosecrans fared badly, however, on the right, which had been weak- 
ened to support Thomas : at an unfortunate moment, when a gap was 
left in the front by a misconceived order, Longstreet charged, Hood, 
supported by Buckner, crashing through Rosecrans' line, separating 
five brigades from the rest of the army, cutting off nearly half of 
them, and sending the rest in confusion toward Chattanooga. Rose- 
crans rallied and reformed the commands of Sheridan and Davis at 
Eossville, and then hastened to Chattanooga, to prepare for a desperate 
efi"ort to hold it, if the worst came to the worst. 

The main body of the army was under Thomas, and could not be in 
better hands. Brannan and Hood had been posted on Mission Ridge 
in his rear, while Gaw massed all the reserve artillery. Thomas thus 
provided for any attack on his rear. Gordon Granger, at RossviUe, 
findincr no enemy in his front, and hearing the battle going on, re- 



^40 ROSECRAXS RELIEVED OF COMMAND. 

porfed at three o'clock to Thomas, bringing in what he greatly needed 
a .small supply of aniiuunitioii. At that time the enemy were press- 
fug him in front and ou both flanlvs, and Hindmau was creeping up a 
gorge to assail his right iu flank and rear. By a vigorous charge, 
Granger hurled him baclv, taking the gorge and a ridge beyond it! 
Bragg, furious at the stubborn resistance which seemed to sweep away 
a victory already gained, made a general attack on all points of 
Thomas' line at four o'clock ; but iu vain did Lougstreet, McLaw, Pres- 
ton, Breckinridge, Cleburne, Hindman.and the flower of the Confeder- 
ates pour down on his line. Thomas withstood and repelled assault 
after assault till the sun set. Then, by order of Eosecrans, he began 
to withdraw from tlie position he had so gallantly held. A part of the 
Confederate force appeared, but was charged with such eff-ect that it 
. was repulsed, leaving many prisoners in his hands. There was no pur- 
suit. Thomas retired, and took up the position at Rossville appointed 
by Eosecrans. So ended the fiercely fought battle of Chickamauga. 
Bragg admitted a loss of eighteen thousand, sixteen th.msand in killed 
or wounded. Eosecrans lost about eleven thousand in killed and ! 
wounded, and seven thousand five hundred prisoners, thirty-six guns, 
and eight thousand ar.ns. Bragg had won an undoubted victory,' ^ 
but that was all. Eosecrans held Chattanooga, and was a commander I 
with an army not to be despised. Though defeated, the hero of luka 
and Corinth had secured the great strategic object of the campaign. 

The authorities at Washington, themselves responsible for the event, 
made Eosecrans the scapegoat, and on the 19th of October that able 
general received an order removing him from command. He at once 
took leave of his companions in arms, and General Thomas became the 
general of the Army of the Cumberland. 



BURNSIDE IX HAST TENNESSEE. 84 1 

While Rosecrans had been conducting a life-and-death struggle with 
Bragg, General Burnside, at the head of a small independent army, 
had overrun East Tennessee, hailed with delight by the Union men, 
and finding no enemy in the field to oppose. Neither he nor his supe- 
rior, General Halleck, seem to have suspected that the Confederate 
troops had all been sent to aid Bragg. So that, instead of reinforcing 
Rosecrans, General Burnside, after capturing General Frazier with two 
thousand men in Cumberland Gap on the 9th of Sej ember, scattered 
his forces, having an occasional skirmish with some isolated Confeder- 
ate band. Had he joined Rosecrans, the result would have been dif- 
ferent. 

As it was. Brngg, after forcing Rosecrans back to Chattanooga, sent 
Long-street to crush Burnside. Long-street, advancing silently and 
rapidly, fell upon Colonel Wolford, at Philadelphia, on the 20lh of 
October. Wolford escaped with difficulty. The surprise was com- 
plete Six hundred and fifty men, six pieces of artillery, and a great 
stock of arms were taken. Burnside, roused by the tidings of danger, 
concentrated all his available forces at Campbell's Station. Here he 
made a bold stand, and by means of his artillery checked Longstreet; 
lallinc. back to another ridge when the Confederate general endeav- 
ored to flank him. When his trains had a fair start he resumed his re- 
treat to Knoxville. By the 17th of November, Longstreet was before 
him • but Burnside had not been idle. Formidable earthworks cover- 
inc heavv batteries were not to be carried without heavy loss. Long- 
street's first assault carried a hill on Bnrnside's right ; and on the 
28th he assaulted, with a storming party of three brigades. Fort San- 
ders on the left of Bnrnside's line ; but General Ferrero repulsed the 
attack, and Longstreet drew off, after sacrificing eight hundred n>en 



§42 " I WILL HOLD ON TILL WE STARVE THOMAS." 

in his rash attempt. By this time his opportunity was lost. He could 
no longer serve Bragg, and retreated rapidly into Virginia. 

When Rosecrans was removed, Halleck telegraphed to Grant to tak^ 
command of the army, and ordered troops from all parts to Chatta- 
nooga : but Grant was sick at New Orleans, and meanwhile Bragg's 
cavalry under Wheeler had captured in Sequatchie Valley Thomas' 
train of a thousand wagons loaded with supplies ; then another train at 
McMinnville, besides destroying railroads and bridges to prevent re- 
lief reaching him. Thomas was reduced to terrible straits. When 
Grant at last reached Louisville, October 18th, he telegraphed to 
Thomas to hold Chattanooga at all hazards, and that general replied : 
" I will hold on till we starve." Grant, on arriving at Chattanooga on 
the 23d of October, proceeded with General Thomas and his chief en- 
gineer to examine the river. It was decided that Hooker should 
cross at Bridgeport, where he was, and advance on Wauhatchie in 
Lookout Valley. This he did on the 2Sth, while four thousand men 
under Brigadier-General W. F. Smith dropped down the river by night 
and seized the heights at Brown's Ferry, and in the morning completed a 
pontoon bridge. Grant had thus gained the shortest line for concen- 
trating his troops, and a convenient road for supplies. With scarcely 
a skirmish between pickets he had made Chattanoo-a safe. 

Law's division of Longstreet's corps on Lool^out Mountain had 
watched Hooker, occasionally sending a shell into his line. He was 
not strong enough to fight Hooker by daylight, but hoped to surprise 
part of his force in the woods, and at least cripple him by capturing 
a train. At one o'clock in the morning he attacked Geary with a 
wild yell, charging on three sides at once. But Gearv held his own • 
and Schurz came up to his aid, while Tyndale's brigade gallantly car- 



THE BATTLE ABOVE THE CLOUDS. S43 

ried a liill on his left, and tiie T3d Ohio charged up a hill still farther 
behind. Foiled and badly shattered, Law's line recoiled into the dark- 
liuu; woods, leaving one hundred and fifty-three dead and more .than 
a hundred prisoners. Hooker followed up his success by clearing Rac- 
coon Mountain of the enemy. 

Bragg, weakened by the absence of Longstreet, made no further at- 
tack, but held to his strong line along the western and northern slopes 
of Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge, and across the valley at the 
moulh of Chattanooga Creek. 

Sherman, ordered by Grant to join him, had marched from Yicks- 
burg with his coriis, harassed all tfie way by the enemy ; but Grant 
ordered him to use all dispatch, and on the loth of November he re- 
uorted in person. Grant at once sent this new force to threaten 
Bragg's extreme right ; but wlien he had engaged Bragg's attention 
there, he quietly crossed at the pontoon bridge, and moving around 
Chattanooga, took position on Thomas' left. On the 23d, Thomas au- 
vanced with Granger's corps, Sheridan, Wood, and Palmer. With one 
bold rush they carried Orchard Ridge, taking the Confederate rifle-pits 
and many prisoners. Then Hooker moved on Lookout Mountain, 
which was held by General Stevenson with six brigades, and soon re- 
inforced. But Hooker pressed on, seizing a bridge here, building one 
there. Then he opened with all his artillery, and Wood and Gross, 
dashing across, joined Geary, and swept down the valley, driving the 
enemy before them up the mountain, and following at full speed over 
ledge and chasm ; while Geary swept round the summit and pressed 
on. Hooker, for fear of surprise, had ordered them to halt at the sum- 
mit ; but they kept on, driving the shattered remnant of the enemy 
down the eastern side of the mountain. At two o'clock so dense a 






844 SHERMAN HOLDS MISSION RIDGE. 

cloud enveloped the mountain that no further movement was possible : 
but Hooker made good his position by good though hasty works. 

About sunset the enemy made a final effort to gain the mountain-, 
before morning they abandoned it, leaving rations by the thou.sand, 
and abundant camp equipage. A difficult mountain position, held by a 
brave enemy, with brave troops had been carried. 

While he was resting, Sherman was busy crossing, and by noon had 
bridges across the Tennessee and Chickamauga, eight thousand men 
over, and the rest crossing, eager to join in the hot work of the day. 
The firing soon began. A sharp struggle was made for Mission Ridge, 
but Sherman planted himself there, and soon made his line too strong 
to fear attack. 

Thomas pushed on to join the advanced positions of Sherman and 
Hooker, while Thomas' cavalry under Colonel Long swept along 
Bragg's rear, burning Tyner's Station, capturing wagons, and destroy- 
ing stores — playing the same game on Bragg that he had played be- 
fore on Rosecrans. Bragg was beaten out of his strong line : he 
abandoned Lookout Mountain ; but Hooker pressed on, delayed by 
the destruction of bridges. While Osterhaus swung around Mission 
Ridge on the east, and Geary on the west, Crufts moved upon the 
enemy's front, well protected as it was by breastworks. At a charge 
they swept on, bearing the Confederates before them, flanked as they 
were by Osterhaus and G-eary, who captured all who attempted to 
escape. At sunset, Hooker had cleared the mountain, and encamped 
amid the rocky heights he had so nobly won. 

Sherman met harder work as he advanced down one mountain-slope 
and up another in face of the enemy. A long, stubborn fight ensued, 
actually hand to hand ; but Corse could not carry the enemy's works, 



GRANT IN POSSESSION OF THE STRONGHOLD. 845 

which were held by General Cleburne, under Lieutenant-General 
Hardee. But Smith and Loomis flanked the enemy's works ; and 
though the reserves were driven back by a fierce artillery fire, Sher- 
aum lost no ground, but was held by the stubborn resistance of hia 
antagonist. Generals were disabled and carried from the field ; but 
though the fight went on, no success had been gained at three 
o'clock. 

Thomas was already in movement. Driving the Confederates undei 
Anderson from their rifle-pits at the foot of the mountain, his mei\ 
pursued them under a fearful volley of grape and canister up the hill- 
side, no wavering in his long line till he reached the summit, captur- 
ing prisoners, cannon, and ammunition. Only on the left was any 
resistance made by General Bates. Then the enemy, at the railroad 
tunnel in front of Sherman, gave way, and were captured or driveu 
across Chickamauga Creek. So rapidly were all these movements 
made, that large bodies of Confederates, in endeavoring to retreat, 
were caught in between different portions of Grant's army and cap- 
tured. 

By midnight the whole of Bragg's strong position on Lookout Moun- 
tain, Chattanooga Valley, and Mission Ridge, was in Grant's posses- 
sion, with prisoners, artillery, and small arms in great number ; and 
as be confessed, he owed the escape of his army only to his own 
thorough knowledge of the country, and Grant's comparative igno- 
rance of it. 

Grant, sending off Granger to relieve Knoxville, let Sherman and 
Hooker at daylight, on the 26th, pursue Bragg, who was iu full retreat 
on Greysville and Ringgold. Many prisoners and some guns were 
taken in this pursuit ; but the stubborn Cleburne made a stand at the 



S46 " THE QUININE BRIGADE " FIGHT AT SPRINGFIELD. 

Gap, in White-Oak Ridge, losing a hundred and thirty men, but de- 
laying Hooker, and causing him a loss nearly four times as great. 
The pursuit was not continued beyond Ringgold, as Sherman too turned 
toward Knoxville, and by a forced march compelled Longstreet to 
raise the siege. 

In this glorious series of battles, which effectually broke the Confed- 
erate power in that section, Grant lost, in killed, wounded, and missing, 
about fifty-six hundred men, capturing more than six thousand pris- 
oners, forty cannon, and seven thousand stand of arms. Bragg lost in 
killed and wounded about three thousand, but his loss in war material 
was very heavy ; and the spirit of his army was broken. 

The operations west of the Mississippi were occasional movements 
of Confederate forces from Arkansas, which was one of their strong- 
holds, upon Missouri, where they were always sure to find sympathizers 
and recruits. These campaigns served only to till Missouri with des- 
olation and ruin, and did not contribute materially to the final results 
of the war. When the Confederates lost the control of the Missis- 
sippi by the battle of Belmont, the loss of Fort Henry, Donaldson, 
and Island No. 10, as well as of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, and 
New Orleans below, and finall}', by the loss of Vicksburg, their armies 
west of the Mississippi were completely cut off from those which were 
fighting the great contest on the east. 

Early in 1863, four thousand men under General Marmaduke issued 
from Arkansas, and avoiding General Blunt, struck at Springfield. But 
General Brown, in command there, was a man of resolution and re- 
source. Although he had only militia at his command and men of the 
118th Iowa, and some convalescents, or, as the soldiers called them, 
"the Quinine Brigade," he fought Marmaduke so bravely and skil- 



FIERCE FIGHTING IN MISSOURI. 847 

fully, all through the 8th day of January, that the Confederates at 
uight drew off, having lost two hundred men. 

Marmaduke then moved on Hartsville, but was confronted by Colo- 
nel Merrill, and agaiii repulsed after a spirited fight, in which he lost 
several prominent officers. Fearing that General Blunt would be 
upon him, Marmaduke retreated to Arkansas, and was soon after at- 
tacked at Batesville. 

Fayetteville was the chief outpost of the United States forces on 
the Arkansas frontier. It was held by Colonel Harrison, when, on the 
18th of April, it was attacked by General Cabell at the head of two 
thousand mounted men. But the cavalry charge of the Confederates 
was met by a determined and skilful resistance, and Cabell withdrew 
as rapidly as he advanced. 

Two days later, Marmaduke again entered Missouri at the head of 
an army swelled by reinforcements from Price's corps. The object of 
his expedition was Cape Girardeau, on the Mississippi, where there 
was a large depot of army stores. General John McNeil, seeing his 
aim, pushed for the same point from Bloomfield, with twelve hundred 
men and six guns, and took command of the post, where he found only 
tivo hundred men. Sending off all the stores he could remove, he pre- 
pared to fight. Marmaduke summoned him to surrender, giving him 
only thirt}' minutes to decide. McNeil at once opened, and though 
again summoned, was too busy to talk, but kept on firing. Marma- 
<luke, who had not expected such a warm reception, lost severely, and 
aeeiug gunboats approach with troops on board, again made for the 
Arkansas frontier. 

Down in the Indian Territory there was also fighting. At the be- 
£i;iiniing of the war, the agents of the Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws, 



848 INDIANS FIGHT IN BOTH ARMIES. 

and Chickasaws were Southern men, and many of the Indians, who 
had adopted white waj's, favored the cause of the seceding States^ 
The Indians were easil}- persuaded that the United States Government 
was overthrown, and tliat 1 heir only hope was to join the South. Whea 
the Confederate government was organized, Albert Pike was ap- 
pointed Commissioner of Indian Affairs, treaties were made with the 
tribes, and many Indians took up arms on the Confederate side. Be- 
fore the end of the first year, however, manj' began to see that they 
had acted rashl}-. Two parties at once arose, some siding with the- 
United States, while the rest adhered to the enemy. On the 20th of 
May, 1863, Colonel Phillips, who held Fort Blunt in the Creek 
Nation, with eight hundred white soldiers and a regiment of Creek 
Indians, was beset bj^ a large Confederate force under Colonel CofiFey;; 
but after driving off some cattle, they retired, and were soon pursued 
by Phillips, who drove them across the Arkansas with loss. 

On the 1st of July, a wagon-train of supplies for Fort Blunt, 
although guarded by a cavaliy force, and eight hundred negro soldiers 
and five hundred Indians, was attacked at the crossing of Cabin Creek 
by a force of Texans and Indians under Standwatie, a Cherokee. But 
the attack was as badly managed as it was rashly planned, and Stand- 
watie was driven off. 

This was a curious battle, from the mixture of races. The Confed-. 
erates from the commencement of the war employed the negroes la 
building fortifications, throwing up earthworks, and even occasionally 
as soldiers. As the armies of the United States penetrated into slave 
territoiy, numbers of negroes flocked into camp, and it was soon found 
necessai'y to employ them. General Hunter at Hilton Head began to 
organize them as soldiers. This excited some protests in Congress, but 



MIXTURE OF RACES IN THE SAME ARMY, 849 

his course was sustained. General Phelps did the same at Ship Island, 
and, when General Butler forbid it, and required him to use them only 
in menial labor, resigned his commission : yet Butler himself was soon 
forced to adopt the same course. The Confederate Government viewed 
this step with alarm and rage : the President of the Confederacy, Jef- 
ferson Davis, by an order of August 21st, 1862, declared Hunter and 
Phelps outlaws, and directed any officer who had been engaged ia 
drilling or organizing negro soldiers, to be treated as a felon when 
taken, and not as a prisoner of war. 

But this threat did not deter any one. Negro regiments were 
formed, and rendered essential service on many occasions. An act 
of Congress was passed July 16th, 1862, formally authorizing it ; and 
when volunteers began to decrease in number, and it was found neces- 
sary to resort to the unpopular course of conscription or drafting, so 
repugnant to every Anglo-Saxon community, no further difficulty was 
made about accepting negro soldiers. 

President Lincoln, at a later date than that of which we are treat- 
ing, July 30th, 1863, issued an order directing that a Confederate sol- 
dier should be executed for every negro prisoner put to death by the 
Confederates ; and a Confederate soldier put to hard labor in retalia- 
tion for every negro soldier sold or enslaved by the eneu)}-. 

The Indians employed in the contending armies did some service, 
but the tribes suffered terribly. Their country was ravaged, the tribes 
were divided into factions, and their progress in civilization checked, 
while all their bad qualities were called out by war. Those in the 
army gained something perhaps by the habits of subordination and 
system which they acquired, but when thrown back into the tribes 
were not improved. 



850 LAWRENCE, KANSAS, PLUNDERED BY QUANTRELL. 

These oijenitious around Fort Blunt roused General Blunt to take 
steps to protect that advanced post. Having ascertained that the Con- 
federate General Cooper lay at Honey Springs with six thousand men, 
awaiting reinforcements before advancing, Blunt resolved to attack him 
at once. Marching at midnight with three thousand men, he crossed 
the Arkansas, and on the 17th of July came upon Cooper's encamp- 
ment. He charged instantly, and with such a dash that he carried 
their position though well covered. The Confederates held their ground, 
fighting well for two hours, but then broke and fled in disorder, having 
lost nearly seven hundred men. While Blunt was pursuing them, 
Cabell came up with the Texan reinforcements, but he did not attack 
Blunt, and that commander was too prudent to risk his battle-worn 
men with a fresh foe. By morning, however, when they were ready 
to meet the enemy, Cabell had disappeared. Blunt pursued him in 
vain into the Choctaw Nation, and, after taking Fort Smith, was nearly 
captured by Quantrell, a sanguinary guerrilla leader, while returning 
with a small escort. The guerrilla captured and butchered in cold 
blood many on this occasion, eighty in all being killed. 

A Confederate attack on Pineville, in the southwest of Missouri, 
was repulsed by Colonel Catherwood with the Missouri cavalry; and 
Coffey, after suffering severe loss in men and supplies, retreated. 

About this time the sanguinary leader who went by the name of 
Qnantrell began a series of raids. Hie first blow was struck at Law- 
rence, Kansas, which had from the time of the old troubles been a 
ph.ce hateful to the South. At early dawn on the 21st of August. 
Qantrell surprised this place, killed every negro and German "who 
could be found, and many others-in ali, one hundred and forty unre- 
sisting persons; he then plundered the place, and burned a hundred 



MAk.MADUKE AGAIN UNFORTUNATE. 05 I 

and eighty-five buildings. He retreated in all haste, and managed to 
outstrip his pursuers, although some of his joarty were killed. 

After the siirrcmler of Vicksburg, a force under G-eneral Steele was 
sent to reduce Little Rock. With a force from Missouri under Gen- 
eral Davidson, Steele had nearly twelve thousand men at his command. 
Davidson took the advance, and, after a series of skirmishes, reached 
Bayou Fourche, five miles from Little Rock, on the 9th of September, 
after crossing the river. Here Marmaduke was drawn up in a strong 
position to oppose him with a force of cavalry, infantry, and artillery. 
Steele, on the other side of the river, galled Marmaduke by an artillery 
fire, and then Davidson by a resolute charge broke Marmaduke'sline : 
and the United States troops, sabre in hand, rushed into the city as the 
Confederates lied thr.jugh and beyond it. The capital of Arkansas 
was then formally surrendered, but steamboats and railroad cars had 
been destroyed by fire by Price before evacuating. 

In these o[;er:itions Steele lost few men by death or wounds in bat- 
tle, yet his force was reduced nearly one-half by sickness, marching 
as they did through low swampy lands late in the summer. 

The Confederates endeavored to retrieve their loss b}' an attack oa 
Pine Blutf ; but ]\Iarmaduke was again unfortunate. His force of 
twenty-five hundred men was repulsed bj' Colonel Powell Clayton, 
wdio held the place with only six hundred men. Marmaduke's shells 
fired the town, but he utterly failed to carry it, and finally drew oCF, 
after losing nearly two hundred men. 

Then Shelby and Coffey made a dash into Missouri. They reached 
Booiieville, onlv to begin a hasty retreat. General Brown was at their 
heels, and finally overtaking them at Arrow Rock, on the 12th of Oc- 
tober, fought them till nightfall, and lying on his arms during the night, 



852 CONFEDERATE AGENTS INCITE THE SIOUX. 

in the morning completely routed them, with the loss of all their artil- 
lery and baggage, and some three hundred in killed, wounded, and 
prisoners. General McNeil joined in the pursuit, and was soon after 
appointed to command the Army of the Frontier. 

It was not on]}' among the Southern Indians that the Confederates 
had exerted an influence. Agents fruui their side, and from the Brit- 
ish possessions, had roused the Sioux against the white settlers. That 
warlike and treacherous nation of Indians needed little to stimulate 
them to a war. On Sunday, the 17th of August, 1862, while the 
frontier towns were in peaceful repose, the Sioux began the work of 
blood. Five persons were murdered at Acton. Then, as if maddened 
at the sight of blood, or following out the concerted plan, they fell next 
day on settlers in the fields and roads, and even lured into an ambus- 
cade a party of troops under Ca[)tain Marsh, killing him with many of 
his men. The old scenes of terror so familiar in New England, Wy- 
oming, Cherry Yallej", and Kentuck}-, were revived. Men fled from 
their newly formed homes, happ}' if they reached a large village in 
safety. New Ulm was crowded with fugitives, and had just organized 
a force for defense, when, on the 19th, a body of three hundred In- 
dians assailed the place, killing some of the people, firing houses, and 
waylaying all who approached the town. But the resistance was 
sturdy, and when Captain Flandreau came dashing down upon them 
with a mounted troop, killing many of the dusky warriors, the Sioux 
drew off, and hastening across the countiy, nearlj' surprised Fort 
Ridgeley, where treacherous half-breeds had rendered the guns use- 
less. For three days they kept up the attack, but were steadily re- 
pulsed. 

Then thev once more tried to take New Ulm. There not a moment 



THE SIOUX WAR VIRTUALLY ENDED. S53 

had been lost — the place was made extremely strong; but the Indian 
force had swelled in numbers, and came on with great ftuy. The 
pickets are driven in ; the first houses reached and fired ; the Sioux 
are actual!}" in the town, their deadly rifles bringing down man after 
man : but Flandreau b}- a bold dash drives them out of the town. 
All day long the fight goes on, and the next day — half the place is in 
ruins. A small force arrives at last to help them : but all agree to 
retire and leave the town to its fate. Around that beleaguered place, 
in settlements, and in deadly fight, nearly five hundred people 
had fallen. Fort Abercrombie was furiously assailed by another band, 
who were driven off with loss. Here their success ended. The peo- 
ple were thoroughly alarmed and on their guard. Troops were con- 
centrating from various points. The Indians, recreating in all haste, 
are overtaken bj' General Sibley at Wood Lake. There Little Crow 
was utterly routed, and fled with a part of his tribe to Dakota. Five 
hundred Indians were taken, and a court martial at once proceeded i n 
determine their fate. Three hundred were sentenced to be hanged ; 
but of these onlj' some forty were actually' executed. 

The next summer, General Sibley followed up his success, defeating 
(he Sioux at Missouri Couteau, Big Moiunl, Dead-Buffalo Lake, and 
Stony Lake, killing a hundred and fifty, while Sully, in September, 1863, 
routed a band at Whitestone Hill, killing many, and copluring a hun- 
dred and fifty prisoners. The remnant fled across th: Missouri and 
eluded pursuit.- This virtually ended the Sioux War. 



CHAPTER X. 

Operations from North Carolina to Florida in 1863-3 — Capture of Fort Pulasm — Jackson- 
ville taken and abandoned — Hunter repulsed at Secessionville — The Nashville — Dupont 
Repulsed — Ironclad Raid from Charleston — Attack on Fort Sumter — The Swamp Angel — 
Wagner taken— Hill at Newberne — Vallandigham's case — The Draft-Riots in New York — 
Negro Soldiers. 

On the Southern coast some operations had meanwhile taken place 
which did not reflect any great credit ou the arms of the United 
States. The occupation of Port Royal had not led to any important 
result, the expeditions to various points having gained no decisive vic- 
tory. In June, General Hunter planned an attack on Secessionville, a 
strong post on James Island held by Colonel Lamar. At early dawn, 
on the 16th, a lorce of six thousand men under General Wright ad- 
vanced on these works. Over a narrow neck of land swept b}' grape 
and canister pressed the United States columns, led by General 
Stevens ; but a ditch and high parapet faced them, and the brave men 
of Michigan, and the New York 79th, Highlanders, were mercilessly 
mowed down. In half an hour half the force lay dead and dying ; and 
80 fierce was the struggle that, with all their defenses, more than two 
hundred of the Confederates were struck down. 

Wright drew off, leaving his dead and wounded on the field ; and 
thus ended General Hunter's attempt to capture Charleston. 

General Mitchell, the astronomer, who next took command, planned 
a movement to break the railroad connection between Charleston and 



OPERATIONS ON THE SOUTHERN COAST. 855 

Savannah. Biri he was soon after prostrated by disease. Then 
General Brannan attempted it, and pushed on to Pocotaligo. where. the 
Confederates under Walker met and checked his advance, until Bran- 
nan saw that troops were coming up from Savannah and Charleston, 
and that he must retire to avoid capture. Gunboats had meanwhile 
run up the Coosa whatchie, and Colonel Barton landing, attacked a 
train bearing troops from Savannah, and after dispersing it, advanced 
on Pocotaligo, but he too was forced to retire, and the whole object of 
the expedition was missed. 

Fort McAllister, on the Ogeechee, was a strong Confederate work 
guarding the navigation of that river, interrupted here by piles driven 
in the channel. Under its guns lay the Nashville, ready to sail as a war 
vessel. On the 27th of February, Captain Worden, in the Montauk, 
ascended the river to attack and destroy her. In spite of the torpe- 
does in the channel and the fire of the fort, he ran within less than a 
mile of his antagonist and opened fire, sustained by three consorts 
which could not approach so near. Before long a shell exploding in 
the Nashville set her on fire, flames burst from every part, her guns 
exploded, and her magazine at last blew up, shattering the vessel to 
fragments. 

Elated by this. Commodore Dupont attacked Fort McAllister, with 
the Passaic, Patapsco, Montauk, Ericsson, and Nahant, all ironclads ; 
but this action of March 3d showed that if ironclads could stand the 
fire of forts, forts built of sand cannot be injured by ironclads. After 
a tremendous expenditure of ammunition on both sides, lasting for 
hours, not a man was killed on either side, and no material injury 
done. 

Soon after the Confederates captured the United States steamer Lsaac 



856 UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT OX FORT SUMTER. 

Sinitli, sent up the Stoiio, and taking heart at their recent successes, 
ou the 31st of Jauuar}" scut out from Charleston two ironclads, the 
Palmetto State aud Cliicora, with three steamboats as tenders, to at- 
tock the blockading fleet, having learned by spies that the Powhatan 
and Canaudaigua, the two largest men-of-war, were at Port Royal coal- 
ing. The Palmetto State ran into the Mercedita, and sent a seven- 
inch shell through her steam-drum, completely disabling her, and com- 
pelling her to strike. Then she attacked the Keystone State, setting 
her on fire with a shell. Captain Leroy drew ofif to extinguish the fire, 
and then tried to run the Palmetto State down ; but his steam-chests 
were al.-o pierced, and the rifled shells tore through his vessel. The 
fleet now bore down and rescued the two vessels; upon which the Confed- 
erate gunboats sailed back — and General Beauregard and Commodore 
Ingraham issued a proclamation declaring that the blockading fleet 
had been sunk, dispersed, or driven off, and that therefore the port 
was open and the blockade raised. 

The United States Grovernment then resolved to make a serious 
elfort to reduce Fort Sumter aud the other defenses of Charleston. 
Twelve thousand men, Foster's 18th Corps, were sent down from North 
Carolina, and Commodore Dupont prepared his ironclads and gun- 
boats for action. On the Gth of April, a beautiful morning, with a 
slight haze hanging over the scene, the fleet steamed in. They passed 
Morris Island, and kept on toward the channel between Fort Sumter 
and Sullivan's Island, when at last the fort opened upon the Weehaw- 
ken. The plan had been to pass beyond Sumter and attack the north- 
west face, but this was soon found impossible : the channel on each side 
was closed by rows of piles or hawsers with torpedoes attached. The 
fleet had then to engage the fort on its strongest sides, under the fire 



FIFTEEN, minutes' FIGHT THE WHITE FLAf",. 857 

of all the batteries erected by the Confederates on the land side. 
The Keokuk, Captain Rhind, ran gallantly up to within five hundred 
yards of Fort Sumter, and kept up a steady fire till she was riddled 
(and sinking. The Catskill and Montauk, close up to her, the Nahant, 
Passaic, Nantucket, and Ironsides, all poured in their broadsides ; but 
the artillery of the fort, hundreds of the best rifled guns, fired with 
careful aim, proved too much for the fleet of the United States. Con- 
vinced at last of the uselessness of the attempt, the ships drew off, but 
the Keokuk sank just as she got outside, the wounded having been re- 
moved, the well swimming for their lives. 

This tremendous artillery fire had caused little loss of life on either 
side : the Confederates had two guns dismounted, and had crippled and 
sunk one vessel. 

A movement with troops under General Truman Seymour was 
abandoned on the failure of the ironclad attack. 

The next work for the navy was to capture the Atlanta, an old 
blockade-runner, which had been transformed into a sort of Merrimac 
ironclad at Savannah. On the 17th of June she came out of the 
Wilmington River, with two steamboats, the latter loaded with ladies 
and gentlemen from Savannah, who came to see a victoiy won. The 
Weekawken, Captain John Rodgers, seeing the ironclad, ran up to en- 
gage her. The Atlanta opened fire, but Rodgers kept steadily on till 
within three hundred yards, when he opened with hisheav}' fifteen-inch 
gun. His terrible balls went crashing into the Atlanta as he advanced. 
A port-hole shutter is shattered ; the pilot-house swept away like chaff ; 
the iron and wood fly in splinters, as a ball tears through from side to 
side, killing and wounding fourteen men before it dropped into the 
water. Fifteen minutes' fight, and the white flag is raised : tlie steam- 



S58 FEDERAL TROOPS ON MORRIS ISLAND. 

boats steal away crest-fallen, with grave doubts about the speedy 
raising of the blockade. 

General Gillmore and Commodore Dahlgren next took command 
of the army and navy before Charleston. In the plan of operations 
devised by General Gillmore, the first point was to establish himself 
firmly on Morris Island. To effect this, he began a series of opera- 
tions to bewilder the Confederates : he sent out expeditions in various 
directions ; General Terry made a demonstration on James Island ; 
while Colonel Higginson ascended the Edisto as if to renew the old 
attempt to cut off communications between Charleston and Savannah 
While the enemy's attention was thus distracted, Gillmore cautiously 
threw men and guns upon Folly Island, where General Yogdes was 
already posted. 

On the 8th of July, Terry again ascended the Stono, while Strong with 
two thousand men pushed up in boats to the junction of Light-house 
Inlet. At daybreak, Vogdes' batteries, forty-seven guns in all, opened 
on the Confederates in their front, and the ironclads running up can- 
nonaded Fort Wagner. Then Strong threw his men ashore in spite 
of a heavy fire of artillery and musketry. By nine o'clock he had 
carried all the Confederate batteries on the south end of Morris Island, 
giving the United States forces possession of three-fourths of that 
island. 

The next morning, General Strong attempted to carry Fort Wag- 
ner by assault ; but the gunboat cannonade had not weakened it or 
disconcerted its defenders. Strong's columns were met by so fierce a 
fire that they recoiled. It was clear that the place was too strong to 
be captured except by regular siege. 

The Confederates saw the danger of the advantage gained, and at 



FAILURE TO TAKE FORT WAGNER. S59 

once prepared to thwart Gillmore. Terry was attacked with great spirit 
on the 16th of July, but he was on the alert, and aided by the gun- 
boats, easily repulsed the assault. 

Two days after, the bombardment of Fort Wagner began. All day 
long the land batteries and ironclads poured in shot and shell, till 
the United States commanders believed the place a wreck and the 
garrison disheartened and scattered. 

The next day the assault was made. Colonel Shaw leading with his 
Massachusetts regiment of colored men. Under a heavy fire the 
column pushed on till they reached the ditch, when cannon and mus- 
ket opened at short range a perfect hurricane of fire. On pressed the 
assailants up the rugged face of the fort, and the Stars and Stripes are 
planted on the top. In a moment of deadly straggle, Shaw fell dead, 
General Strong was mortally wounded, and ofiBcor after officer went 
down, till at last, to stop the slaughter. Major Plj-mpton, the highest 
surviving ofiBcer, drew off the remnant of the brigade — Shaw's regi- 
ment, commanded by a lieutenant, Higginson, himself a mere boy. 

Fearful as the slaughter had been, the United States commander did 
not despair. Another assault by the second brigade, led by Putnam'& 
New Hampshire regiment, was as nobly made and as gallantly repulsed. 
Fifteen hundred men in the uniform of the United States lay dead or 
wounded on the parapet and slopes of Wagner or the line of ap- 
proach. 

Failing in this attempt to cany Wagner by storm, Gillmore, a good 
engineer, pushed on his siege-works, defending his parallels well 
against a sudden sortie from the fort, into which the Confederates 
could easily throw a large force from Charleston for any such move- 
ment. Gillmore had not only to meet the fire of Wagner and Battery 



86o THE MARSH BATTERY THE "SWAMP ANGEL." 

Gregg behind, but also to protect himself against the cross fire of Fort 

Sumter. 

To check the latter, he planted batteries of very heavy guns within 
Uvo miles of that renowned fort, and these, manned by Admiral Dahl- 
gren, soon began a fire that told on the stout walls of Sumter, although 
Commander George W. Eodgers, of the Catskill, was killed. 

This did not satisfy Gillmore. A marsh west of Morris Island 
seemed to him a spot from which Charleston itself could be reached 
by shot and shell. To plant a battery amid the mire and ooze, at 
least sixteen feet deep, seemed impossible ; but he drove down piles 
to reach the firm sand, and on them built a heavy-gun platform. On 
this he established the Marsh Batter^', protected by a sandbag parapet 
and epaulemeut. One single gun, an eight-inch rifled Parrott, was 
planted here, and all looked eagerly to see what it would eff"ect. 

On the 17th of August the bombardment of Wagner and Sumter 
was renewed, and all day Ipng the thunder of artillery resounded, as 
batteries and ironclads replied to the forts. B}' the 23d, nearly all 
the barbette guns of Sumter were dismounted, its walls were masses 
of ruin ; so that the Confederates removed many of the cannon. 

Then Gillmore summoned Beauregard to abandon Morris Island and 
Sumter, threatening to bombard Charleston if he refused. As no re- 
ply came, Gillmore opened from the Marsh Battery, whence the 
" Swamp Angel," as the soldiers called the piece placed there, soon 
sent shells into the startled streets of Charleston. 

Wagner, however, was not surrendered ; so Gillmore pushed on his 
works till he reached a narrow neck within two hundred and forty 
yards of the fort. Before him the ground was filled with torpedoes, 
and the approach was covered by a concentrated fire of the fort. 



CHARLESTON FEELS THE REALITIES OF WAR. 86l 

Trenching could go no further. Up then to the front came mortars 
and rifled guns, and powerful calcium lights enabled them to work 
steadily on while blinding the enemy by their glare. 

On the 6th of September these batteries and the ironclads opened, 
and the besieged were driven to their bombproofs. Then the sappers 
plied their implements, till the guns of the fort were completely under 
range of a battery as soon as it should be placed. 

The Confederates had contested the place long and well. Now the 
€nd had come, and while Gillmore was preparing to storm it in the 
morning, the garrison escaped silently by night, and moved so stealthily 
that only seventy men fell into Gillmore 's hands. This sand fort had 
stood a fearful cannonade from the heaviest artillery known, yet the 
bombproofs were unharmed. 

The next day, September 8th, Commander Stephens, with thirty 
rowboats of Dahlgren's fleet attempted to take Sumter ; but the men 
clambering over the ruined wall were fired upon by Major Elliot, the 
Confederate commander, and their boats were destroyed by the Con- 
federate land-batteries. Of the two hundred gallant tars sent upon 
this rash expedition some eighty were killed, the rest made priso- 
ners. 

The Swamp Angel had done little real damage to Charleston, but 
Wagner and Battery Gregg were now turned on the city, and new- 
batteries of mortars and rifled guns planted on the island brought half 
the city under fire. 

Charleston, the city where Secession was first proclaimed, was thus 
at last made to feel the realities of war. The profitable blockade run- 
ning ceased ; and day by day shot and shell -came hustling inCo the 
aiity, spreading destruction and making a part of it a deicM. 



862 GENERAL FOSTER DEFENDS WASHINGTON, N. C. 

But the people did not yield. The barriers still prevented the approach 
of the United States ironclads. Sumter was still theirs, and they eii» 
deavored to remount guns, but this only drew ou the ruined fort a new 
bombardment, which was renewed whenever any signs of activity 
were perceived amid the ruined works. Then attempts were made to 
destroy the shipping by torpedoes, but this too failed, and for the rest 
of the year the condition of affairs remained unchanged, Grillmore's 
great and well-won advantages not giving the cause as yet either Sum- 
ter or Charleston, two points on which the heart of the North was 
set. 

In North Carolina there had been no important operations. Gen- 
eral D. H. Hill was indeed sent by the Confederate government to 
recapture Newberne ; but his large force was easily held in check till 
reinforcements came up. 

Washington in that State was his next point. On the 30th of March 
he appeared before that place. Fortunately for the cause of the 
United States, General Foster, commandant of the department wa& 
there, and prepared for a vigorous defence, although he could not pre- 
vent Hill from securing several important ridges commanding the 
town. 

Hill, however, acted feebly, losing valuable time and enabling Fos- 
ter to strengthen his works. 

At last the bombardment began, Hill opening with fourteen heavy 
guns to which Foster steadily replied, and even endeavored to capture 
Hill's battery on Rodman's Point. 

Meanwhile a small fleet of gunboats came up with a land force of 
three thousand men under General Prince, who refused, however, to 
attack the Hill's Point battery. Foster nearly out of ammunition was 



CONDUCT OF TIIK WAR A GIGANTIG STRUGGLE. 863 

thus almost reduced with abundant reinforcements near him. Row- 
boats by night alone enabled him to obtain ammunition to keep up the 
fight, till at last a steamboat bravely ran the gauntlet of the Confeder- 
ate batteries, and debarked at the fort the Fifth Rhode Island. Fos- 
ter at once protecting the steamboat's works with hay, ran down to 
Newberne, and brought up seven thousand men stationed there under 
Oeneral Palmer, and taking up Prince's men, landed to attack Hill's 
Point. Hill, however, did not wait to receive him ; he abandoned his 
works and was in full retreat when Foster came up. 

Some minor operations took place during the summer, a bold dash 
of Colonel Jones, with some Massachusetts troops on a Confederate 
outpost at Gum Swamp in May ; and cavalry raids to break up the 
Weldon and Wilmington railroads at different points being the only 
events worth noticing. 

The war at first was carried on by militia, and the few regulars con- 
stituting the United States Army ; then volunteers were called out 
from the several States. The same course had been followed in the 
Confederate States, although they had no regular army to begin with. 

As the war which few at first supposed likely to last more than a 
few months dragged along, and became a gigantic struggle, in which 
the whole strength of two great sections of the country was arrayed 
in arms, it became evident that neither side could long depend on vol- 
unteer enlistments, which after the first enthusiasm gradually decreased 
in numbers. Large bounties were then offered, and this brought in a 
new class of enlistments. The South having less resources, was the 
first to adopt a system of conscription or drafting, similar to that in 
France. By an act of the Confederate Congress, passed April 16th, 
1862, all able-bodied white males between the ages of eighteen and 



864 DRAFT ORDERED VIOLENT OPPOSITION. 

thirty-five were made liable to enrollment in the army for the period 
of the war. This enabled the South to fill up its sadly-thinned ranks. 

The government of the United States was not slow in following the 
example thus set, and which made a similar course necessary. On the 
3d of March, at the very close of a session, Congress passed an act 
by which provost marshals and other officers were to enroll all able- 
bodied white citizens, and aliens who had declared their intention to be- 
come citizens. Those between the ages of twenty and thirty-five con- 
stituted the first class, all others the second class. The President was 
authorized to draft at his discretion after Jul}' 1st the number needed 
for the army. Any one drafted had to pay a commutation of three 
hundred dollars or report himself for service within a given time un- 
der penalty of being treated as a deserter. 

Such a step was unheard of ; it was repugnant to the whole feelings 
of the people, England even never having resorted to such a measure in 
any of her wars. It accordingly excited throughout the country the most 
indignant protests. The Supreme Court in New York and in Penn- 
sylvania declared the act unconstitutional, but the Administration 
prepared to enforce it at all hazards. To strike down opposition by a 
bold blow, Clement L. Vallandigham, a prominent Democratic politi- 
cian of Ohio, who had in recent speeches denounced with unsparing 
severity the acts of the Administration, which he deemed in violatioa 
of the Constitution and laws of the United States and the rights of the 
States, was arrested by military authority at night while in bed in his own 
house in Ohio, for words uttered by him in a speech at Mount Vernon. 

It was one of the gravest violations of the rights of a citizen that 
had ever occurred in the United States, and one that mast ever be 
deplored. 



VALLAXDIGHAM SENT THROUGH THE LINES. 865 

This civilian, in no way connected with the array, was brought be- 
fore a court martial, and of course deiued a trial by jury. The farce 
ended by his conviction on a charge of expressing sympathy for those 
in arms against the government, and he was sentenced to close con- 
finement to the end of the war, Geueral Burnside designating Fort 
Warren in Boston harbor as the place of his confmemeat. 

President Lincoln recoiled from this, although he confirmed the pro- 
ceedings ; but he directed Mr. Vallandighaui to be sent through the 
military lines of the United States into the Southern Confederacy, 
ordering that if he returned he was to be confined as directed by the 
Court. A United States Judge applied to for a huieas corpus refused 
it. 

Torn from his home and sent into the scene of military operations, 
Mr. Yallandigham made his way to Wilmington in Xorth Carolina, and 
' thence by way of Nassau to Canada. In vain meetings were called 
[ in various pai'ts to protest against an act which struck at the very 
j vitals of American liberty ; the Administration, conscious of its 
I strength in the support of an immense arm}', overruled all opposition. 
' It was very evident that it would enforce the obnoxious Draft Act. 
The 13th of July was appointed for its enforcement in the great city 
j of New York ; everything foreboded trouble. The drawing at 
the corner of Third avenue and Forty-sixth street had gone on for 
} about half an hour, when the mob which had gathered attacked the 
j house, scattering officers and clerks, tearing up all the documents con- 
j nected with the draft. The building was then set on fire. The police 
I and draft officers were powerless to check the rioters, who had in- 
creased in numbers to thousands, and drove off a small force of the 
' invalid corps sent to check them. Almost immediately the spirit of 



866 DRAFT RIOTS IX NEW YORK. 

riot spread throughout the city ; the great factories and public works 
slopped, aud the rioters swelled by constant accessions. Many, who 
had beheld at first in the resistance to an unjust law only a course 
eimilar to that of our fathers in 1776, recoiled at the scenes of vio- 
lence and bloodshed that now disgraced New York. The rioters pur- 
sued all negroes whom they saw, hanging several in the streets, driv- 
ing others out of their houses, and destroying all they possessed. The 
Colored Orphan Asylum was in this way attacked and burnt to the 
ground after the complete destruction of all its contents. Everywhere 
houses were pillaged and property destroyed. The mob ruled the 
oity. The public conveyances stopped running ; business ceased ; peo- 
ple kept in their houses, or vainly endeavored to escape from the city 
in their panic. This terrible state of affairs lasted for three days, and 
spread even to Brooklyn, where a nne grain elevator was destroyed 
by a mob. 

Gradually military came in, militia were called out, and a series of 
battles in various parts of the city took place, one of the most impor- 
tant being on Third avenue, where the rioters made a decided 
stand against Captain Putnam of the Twelfth regulars. This was on 
Thursday, and that night, and the next day, saw the city filled with 
a military force able to overawe all opposition. 

The series of battles in the streets of New York during the Draft 
Hiots were attended with great loss of life, so great that every effort 
was made to suppress details. Yet there can be little doubt that 
nearly a thousand people were killed or mortally wounded. 

The City Government at once raised money to procure men to fill 
up the quota demanded from New York, and thus prevented a repeti- 
tion of the bloody work. 



LINCOLx\'s PROCLAMATION OF AMNESTY. 86/ 

The obnoxious act called out similar but less organized and bloody- 
opposition in Boston, Jersey City, Troy, Jamaica (N. Y.), and in parts 
of Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. 

The ensuing elections showed that a majority of voters in the 
Northern States were resolved to sustain the Administration in all 
measures, and the Republican party ruled with a stronger hand than 
ever ; the courts were filled up with judges who decided with the pre- 
dominant party, and it was evident that, according to the old Roman 
maxim, " amid arms the laws are silent." 



CHAPTER XI. 

Aji Ofier of Amnesty — Gillmore's Operations in Florida — Seymour defeated at 01aste«-— A 
Convention at Jacksonville in favor of the United States — Unsuccessful Operationg in 
South Carolina — A Stirring Campaign in North Carolina on Land and Water — Bank's Red 
River Expedition — He retires — The Fleet carried over the Rapids by Engineering Skill — 
Operations in Texas and Arkansas — llosecrans in Missouri — Price's last Attempt to carry 
the State — Battles at Pilot Knob, Little and Big Blue, Little Osage and Newtonia. 

When the Congress of the United States opened on the 7th of 
December, 1863, President Lincoln sent in his annual message accom- 
panied with a proclamation of amnesty in which he offered a free par- 
don to all engaged in the opposition to the governiucnt of the United 
States, on condition of their taking an oath to support the Constitution, 
and to "abide by and faithfully support all acts of Congress passed 
during the existing rebellion, having reference to slaves." As all the 
leaders on the Confederate side, whether civil or military, were ex- 
cepted, no notice was taken of this Amnesty, and only in rare cases 
did any one come forward to profit by its terms. 

Matters remained in the same position before Charleston, but when 



868 JACKSONVILLE TAKEN SEYMOUR DEFEATED. 

Bahlgren refused to atterai^t to fight his way up to the city with hia 
ironclads, Gillmore, not to remain idle, opened the operations of the 
year 1864 by sending a force into Florida in twenty steamers uuder 
the command of General Truman Seymour. 

Jacksonville was occupied without opposition on the 7th of Feb- 
ruary, and the next day Seymour's advance, under Colonel Henry, 
pushed on to surprise Finnegan's Confederate force eight miles west 
of Jacksonville. The camp was captured, most of the Confederates 
having retired ; Baldwin was next taken, with large amounts of muni- 
tions and provisions, some guns and camp equipage. Still pushing on, 
he captured Sanderson with more spoil, and at eleven o'clock on the 
morning of the 9th, he came upon Finnegan in a strong position. He 
fell back to await Seymour's arrival with the main body. Finnegan, 
however, fell back to Olustee. and when Seymour came up, he started 
in pursuit in direct contravention of the orders of General Gillmore, 
who had come to Florida, but returned. 

On the 20th of February, Seymour's little array, wearied out with a 
toilsome march, came upon Finnegan covered by a swamp and pine 
forest, with his flanks well protected. Seymour threw his troops upon 
the enemy, pushing his guns up to the very edge of the woods. The 
men went down like chaff ; regiments were cut to pieces by a fire from 
an enemy whom they could not see. Seymour fought with reckless 
bravery, rushing from point to point to rally his men, but showing lit- 
tle generalship. Colonel Montgomery, by a charge of the 54th Mas- 
sachusetts, and 1st North Carolina, checked and repulsed a Confeder- 
ate attack and saved the army from a rout. Then under fire of his 
remaining guns Seymour began to retreat, having lost fifteen hundred 
in killed and wounded on his ill-advised advance. 



OPERATIONS IN FLORIDA AND NORTH CAROLINA. 869 

Destroying property as he retired, he at last reached Jacksonville. 
There a Convention was called, but it was a mere farce. The at- 
tempt to restore Florida to its rank as one of the States had utterly 
failed. The defeat at Olustee destroyed all hopes of gaining the 
State, and beyond the destruction of some salt works near St. 
Augustine and at Lake Ocola, which supplied the Confederate army, 
the operations of the United States army in the ancient land of 
Florida were perfectly fruitless. 

Similarly mismanaged was an expedition for South Carolina, in 
which four brigades were sent in July to attack the Confederates at 
Legareville. The troops had no artillery, and coming upon a Con- 
federate battery well supported, sent a negro regiment to attack it, 
and when in five spirited charges it had lost nearly a hundred in 
killed and wounded the whole force retired from the Battle of 
Bloody Bridge. 

The operations in North Carolina were more stirring. The foot- 
hold gained there by the United States forces had been retained and 
that was all. But this was galling to the Confederates, who early in 
1864, resolved on a vigorous effort to dislodge them. On the ist of 
February, the Confederate General Pickett suddenly attacked and 
carried by assault an outpost at Bachelor's Creek, near Newbern, and 
menaced that city, a part of his daring men in boats gallantly board- 
ing the United States gunboat Underwriter, lying at the wharf under 
the guns of two batteries. When these opened the captors fired 
their prize and retreated. Plymouth was held by General Wessels 
with twenty-four hundred men, composed of New York, Pennsylvania, 
and Connecticut men. His position was well fortified, and three gun- 
boats were anchored in the river. The Confederates advanced upon 



S70 A GALLANT CONFEDERATE VICTORY. 

the place so stealthily, that General Hoke, with seven thousand men, 
was within two miles of the place before Wessels was apprised of his 
danger. Fort Warren, the highest outpost up the river, was first 
attacked, and a ^unboat ofoins; to her assistance was disabled : then 
Fort Wessels below was surrounded and forced to surrender. Mean- 
while, the Albemarle, a Confederate ram, ran past Fort Warren, and 
sinking the gunboat .Southfield, so cut up the Miami, killing her 
commander and many of her men, that she fled down the Neuse, 
leaving the Albemarle in command of the river to co-operate with 
General Hoke in his attack on the town. 

Next morning Hoke made his grand attack. Ransom, with one 
brigade on the right ; Hoke himself with two on the left, in the face 
of a murderous fire carried two forts, taking- the whole garrison pris- 
oners. The town was then easily carried. Wessels still held Fort 
Williams, and was pouring in grape and case-shot with deadly aim, till 
he was so enfiladed that resistance was hopeless. He at last surren- 
dered, with one thousand six hundred effective men. Hoke's loss 
was very severe, but his victory was gallantly won. 

Washington at the head of Pamlico Sound was then evacuated. 
So that almost in a moment all the posts gained by the United States 
arms were swept away, and little left of them but Newbern and Ro- 
anoke Island. Hoke prepared to follow up his advantage, but a re- 
verse came. The Albemarle ran down with two consorts to attack 
the United States trunboats at the mouth of the Roanoke. The eun- 



e>' 



boats soon drove her consorts out of the fioht, and a strufrele beofan 
between the Albemarle and her three antaoonists. After a cannon- 
ade that did no harm on either side, though at short range, the 
Sassacus ran the Albemarle down, sendinfr h^r luill under water with 



THE CONFEDERATE STEAMER ALBEMARLE SUNK. 8/1 

the shock, but not sinking her. Then the cannonade was renewed, 
the Sassacus at every opportunity sending a shot into some vulner- 
able point, till a Confederate bolt jjierced one of her boilers, com- 
pletely disabling her ; yet she kept up the fight, and as the steam lifted 
from the scene, she saw the Albemarle retiringr from the fiojit, badh,' 
injured ; the Sassacus, crippled as she was, followed, keeping up her 
fire. Hoke's hopes of besieging Newbern were based on the co-oper- 
ation of the Albemarle, fie endeavored to repair her, and bring her 
again into action, but Lieutenant Gushing, in October, ran up in a 
steam launch and fired a torpedo boat which sunk the Albemarle be- 
hind her barricade of lo^s, Cushincrand his men refusine to surrender 
when their launch was disabled by the Confederate batteries, but 
managing to escape and reach the vessels in the river below. 

Hoke had meanwhile been summoned to Virginia, and Commander 
Macomb, running up the river, recaptured Plymouth, taking sonn^ 
prisoners, guns, and stores. 

The year wore away without any more real fighting in North Caro- 
lina, although General Wild, in October, led a force of colored troops 
into Camden county, which returned to Roanoi^e Island with twenty- 
five hundred slaves, and a great many horses and cattle. 

On the Atlantic coast little had been gained if anything at all dur- 
ing this year. From North Carolina to Florida things remained as 
they were : the people showed no disposition to yield, or to abandon 
their new Confederacy for the old Union. What the United States 
could hold by its troops, that bent to its sway and no more. 

In the Southwest there were some important operations, which failed, 
however, to produce the expected results. General Halleck formed n 
plan for a campaign on the Red River, in which ten thousand men 



8/2 RED RIVER CAMPAIGN UNDER BANKS. 

from Sherman's army under General A. J. Smith, were to capture 
Fort de Russy, and then push on to Alexandria, where General Banks 
was to meet him with fifteen thousand men from New Orleans. The 
■combined army was then to move on Shreveport, to which General 
Steele from Arkansas w^as also to march with fifteen thousand men. 
The plan was badly concerted, and prepared for a disastrous failure. 

Smith's force in transports conveyed by Admiral Porter's ironclads, 
ascended the Red River to Simmsport, wdiich the Confederates evacu- 
ated, falling back to Fort de Russy. The gunboats removing obstruc- 
tions in the river, kept on to that fort as Smith did by land. \\"ith 
remarkable energy, he started from Simmsport at daylight, marched 
fort}^ miles, built a bridge, and finally reaching Fort de Russy, as- 
saulted it and carried the place, taking ten guns and nearly three hun- 
dred prisoners, and accomplished it all before sunset. 

The Confederate force under General Walker, retreated up the 
river. Porter's vessels then reduced Alexandria, on the i6th of March, 
and General Lee, with the cavalry of Franklin's command in Banks' 
force, entered that place on the 19th, and on the 20th, his whole force 
arrived. Steele, however, was still far away ; and part of Smith's 
command was called to Vicksburg, while the necessity of establishing 
a depot of supplies and guarding it still further reduced Banks effec- 
tive force. The enemy were not going to let Shreveport fall without 
a struggle. Troops from Texas and Arkansas came on, so that Gen- 
eral Kirby Smith confronted Banks with a force somewhat superior 
to his in numbers. Still Banks pushed on, and met the enemy at 
Sabine Cross Roads, three miles below Mansfield ; the main body of 
the Confederate line, being hidden in pine woods beyond the crest of 
a hill. Franklin was in the rear, and the advance was outflanked by 



GENERAL EMORY COVERS THE RETREAT. Sj^ 

the Confederates and forced back. At five o'clock Franklin came up, 
and a new line was formed, but the Confederates, elated with their first 
victory, again flanked Banks, and charging desperately crowded his 
army back, capturing nearly a thousand men and ten guns, as tlu-y 
became crowded in the narrow road. Nearly the whole baggage and 
supply-train of two hundred and sixty-nine wagons fell into the hands 
of the enemy. A general rout ensued, unequaled since the field of 
Bull Run. In vain did Generals Banks and Franklin endeavor to rally 
their men. Fortunately, General Emory, hearing that the battle was 
lost, drew up his command at Pleasant Grove, four miles in the rear, 
carefully selecting his ground, and posting his men. Banks' men came 
upon them in wild confusion and were allowed to pass, and reform if 
possible. The Confederates came rapidly on. Emory reserved his 
fire till they were close, and then gave a terrible volley. The Con- 
federates were staggered ; General Mouton, and a host of their 
bravest were dead or dying ; but they had a great superiority in num- 
bers, and until daylight ceased they continued to charge with reckless 
bravery on Emory's division ; but it stood firm and saved the army 
from annihilation, and with it the fleet which could not have escaped 
from the shallow river. 

Falling back to Pleasant Hill during the night. Banks found Smith 
there, and now with a force of fifteen thousand men, prepared to re- 
new the battle, his line drawn up across the road. 

At eleven in the morning, the Confederates came up, and cautions 
skirmishing began. The day wore on, and Banks thinking that no 
general action would take place, had begun sending to the rear, artil- 
lery and trains guarded by most of his cavalry, when at four o'clock 
in the afternoon, tlie Confederates in two heavy columns, charged on 



874 banks' costly victory at SABINE CROSS ROADS. 

his left centre, crushing back after a desperate resistance Benedict's 
brigade of Emory's division. The other brigades surrounded on 
three sides were also forced back ; but Smith now led up his veterans, 
and the Confederate column was hurled back, and driven for nearly 
two miles, losinfr men and Quns in their flicrht ; but the charge was 
not without its loss to the United States forces, the brave Colonel 
Benedict wounded in the opening of the action, here falling mortally 
wounded as he saw the day retrieved. 

Banks had won a victory, but he had lost four thousand men ; he 
was without water, his ammunition was on the transports ; so the 
next day he fell back to Grand Ecore. Porter's fleet, which had 
reached Springfield Landing, near Shreveport, was recalled, and his 
passage down the shallow dangerous river, was under a constant fire 
from Confederate batteries and sharpshooters, and at last by regular 
attacks of infantry and cavalry, which were driven off by a furious 
cannonade, inflicting such severe loss that they abandoned all hope 
of intercepting them. 

On the 13th, several of the vessels got aground at Compte, but 
Banks sent up troops to their relief. At Grand Ecore the large ves- 
sels were aoround, and much time was lost in eettincr them afloat. 
The Eastport sank ; and although raised and repaired, grounded again 
and again, till at last she was fired and blown up, just as a large Con- 
federate force appeared. Too late to capture the Eastport, they 
made a rush at the Cricket, but were driven off by volleys of grape 
and canister, Fort Hindman and another gunboat also joining. 

Banks was already far ahead, and his retreat was thus covered. 
The fleet kept on undisturbed till the vessels reached Cane River. 
There the Confederates had planted a battery, and as the United 



GALLANT CHARGE BY COLONEL FESSENDEN. S75 

States fleet rounded a point, the Cricket leading the line, the fire 
opened on them with well aimed guns. The shells tore through the 
Cricket, disabling her aft gun, and killing or wounding every man at 
it ; and almost as promptly and effectually the after gun. Her decks 
were completely swept, but Admiral Porter who was on board put 
negroes at the gun, and with an impromptu engineer, placed himself 
in the pilot-house and ran her past. The Juliet also ran down, but 
the Hindman could not till after dark. The Champion was disabled, 
set on fire, and destroyed. 

Porter had run down meanwhile to bring up an ironclad, but he 
oot aeround, and on reachine the Osagfe ironclad found her engaged 
with another Confederate battery ; the Lexington, her consort, hav- 
ing already suffered severely. 

After this terrible ordeal of fire, the fleet reached Alexandria, 
The river had been ingeniously used by the Confederates to embar- 
rass the United States gunboats. It was the season when the water 
is high, and Porter so expected to find it, but the Confederates by 
damming up the outlets of several lakes that feed the river, kept the 
water at an unprecedently low state ; giving Porter great difficulty^ 
and occasioning the loss of some of his boats. 

General Banks was at Grand Ecore, but hearing that General Bee 
had taken post at Cane River, with eight thousand men, in hopes of 
checking Banks' army completely, the United States general, on the 
22d of April, suddenly moved at daybreak, and halted at night ready 
to attack Bee in the morning. Then Emory assailed the Confederates 
in front, while General Birge, moving up the river, flanked Bee's right 
and in a gallant charge led by Colonel Fessenden completely worst- 
ing the enemy. Bee abandoned his position and all attempt to 



876 THE GUNBOATS GET OVER THE DAM. 

assume the offensive, and retreated hastily toward Texas by the 
Fort Jessup road. 

Banks had driven off his antagonists on land, but it seemed im- 
possible to save his gunboats. The river was so low that the fleet 
could not be got down the falls. Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph Bailey, 
engineer of the nineteenth corps, was, however, equal to the emer- 
gency, and will ever be remembered for his ability. On one of the 
battle fields, he had suggested to General Franklin a plan, which 
General Banks sanctioned, although Admiral Porter did not show 
much faith in it. 

However, Bailey, now that the time of action had arrived, set to 
work and began to build a dam across the river below the falls, so as 
to give the fleet water enough to float down. After eight or nine 
days' severe toil, a dam 758 feet long, of wood and stone, was run across 
the river; but on the 9th of May the current swept part of it away. 

Porter convinced of the success of Bailey's plan sent the Lexington 
down. She went smoothly over the falls, and flew like the wind 
through the opening in the dam, hung for a moment on the rocks, 
and then swept safely into the deep water below amid the cheers of 
the army. 

The Neosho was next sent down, but her pilot faltered, and she did 
not get through unharmed. A hole was knocked through her bottom. 
The Hindman and Osage fared better, and glided through fearlessly 
and safe. The heavier gunboats were still above. But Bailey, en- 
couraged by the success already obtained, went to work again on his 
dam, and in three days more had the consolation to see the Mound 
City, Carondelet, Pittsburg, Ozark, Louisville, and Chillicothe, pass 
safely down the falls and dams. 



r 



^. RED RIVER EXPEDITION PROVES A p-AILURE. 877 

But the Confederates still checked navigation below Alexandria 
by their batteries. On the 5th of May they riddled the gunboat 
Covington, and compelled the gunboat Signal, and the transport 
Warren with four hundred troops on board to surrender. The City 
Belle, another transport, was soon after captured. 

Banks evacuated Alexandria to march to Simmsport. At Mansura, 
he encountered the enemy, and a battle ensued. Emory with Banks' 
right, and A. J. Smith with his left, flanked the enemy's position, 
and after a sharp struggle, drove them from their position, recaptur- 
ing some of the prisoners taken on the vessels. 

Crossing the Achafalaya, Banks after repulsing an attack on his 
rear, made by Prince Polignac at Yellow Bayou, turned over the army 
to General Canby, who had been appointed to command the trans- 
Mississippi Department, and returned to New Orleans. Smith re- 
turned to his own Department, and Porter's fleet resumed its watch 
on the Mississippi. The Red River expedition had been to all intents 
a failure. For the vast expenditure of labor and life, there was no re- 
sult except the cotton seized by the fleet or collected by speculators. 

Although Banks was able to withdraw his army with little compara- 
tive loss, this was not the case with some of the smaller armies that 
were co-operating with him. General Steele, with seven thousand 
men, had marched on the 23d of March from Little Rock to join Gen- 
eral Banks, and General Thayer with the Army of the Frontier, about 
the same time marched from Fort Smith, with a view to form a junc- 
tion with Steele at Arkadelphia. The Confederates retarded both 
these commanders, and at Prairie d'Anne, Steele had a brisk action 
with General .Sterling Price, who after a desperate dash at nightfall 
to carry Steele's guns drew off. But Steele had begun to hear of 



878 GENERAL STEELE REPULSES KIRBY SMITH. 

Banks' reverse, and instead of pursuing Price marched to Camden. 
Here he learned to a certainty that Banks' Red River expedition had 
been a failure. His own position had now become one of peril, as 
the Confederate forces were closing in around him rapidly. He 
moved at once. His trains sent out to forage were cut off ; first one, 
then another. Lieutenant-Colonel Drake made a gallant fight at 
Mark's Mill, but he was overpowered by General Pagan's Confederate 
force six thousand strong, and his whole command killed, wounded, 
or captured ; the negroes with the force, even servants of the officers, 
were shot down in cold blood after the surrender. Steele on this 
continued his retreat, but at the crossing of the Saline, on the 30th 
of April, was attacked at daybreak by a powerful Confederate army 
under General Kirby Smith. 

In the miry-wooded bottom, where men and horses sank at every 
step, the troops who had been toiling all night were in no trim. for 
fighting. The wild Confederate rush swept back Colonel Engel- 
mann's and Rice's brigades, but could not break the line. Three as- 
saults were repelled with great slaughter.- Then troops which had 
already crossed came to their relief ; and the 43d Illinois, and 40th 
Iowa, crossing Cox's Creek, prevented a flanking movement on the 
right. 

Then gathering up for a final charge, Kirby Smith hurled his com- 
pact masses on Steele's centre and left : it yielded, but was at once 
supported, and at noon had completely repulsed Smith, and driven 
him a mile from the field. Steele now crossed quietly, having lost 
seven hundred men in this fierce infantry fight ; the Confederate loss 
amounting to three times as many. 

A Confederate force under Pagan was between Steele and Little 



CONFEDERATE SUCCESS IN ARKANSAS. 8/9 

Rock, but the United States general avoided it, and with ahnost in- 
credible hardship reached Little Rock on the 2d day of May. 

After this all through the summer there were partisan encounters 
and r nds, which it would take long to describe. The fortune of war in 
these operations varied ; here a Confederate force would be captured ; 
there troops of the United States. The fight on Big Creek was a 
curious one. The 56th United States, a regiment of negroes, was 
attacked on July 26th, by a large Confederate force under General 
Dobbins. Brooks stood firm, but Dobbins was preparing for a de- 
cisive charge, when he was startled by the clattering of cavalry. 
Major Carmichael going down the Mississippi on a steamboat, with 
a hundred and fifty of the 15th Illinois, hearing the cannonade, had 
landed in Dobbins' rear to take a hand in the fii^htine. He came 
upon the Confederates' rear at a charge, and swept through their line, 
enabling the hard-pressed troops whose gallant Colonel had just 
fallen, to drive Dobbins ofT. 

On the whole, the United States lost in these operations beyond the 
Mississippi. Arkansas had been recovered, a legislature organized, 
and a new State Government installed ; but Steele's reverses gave two- 
thirds of the State to the Confederates, and they restored their own 
government, and their cavalry swept through the State, shutting up the 
United States forces in the posts held by them, and filling with terrorall 
who had professed any attachment to the government at Washington 

The Confederate success in Arkansas had inspired them with the 
hope of at last wresting Missouri from the hands of the United 
States, and attaching it forever to the fortunes of the Confederacy. 
Price was gathering his army for an invasion, and a secret society in 
Missouri, which numbered thousands, was ready to join him as soon 



88o GENERAL EWING RETREATS TO HARRISON. 

as he appeared. General Rosecrans, who had been assigned to the 
Department of Missouri, found on his arrival at St. Louis, at the 
close of January, 1864, that in a State disaffected within, menaced 
from without, he had scarcely any force at his command except militia, 
some of whom would certainly join Price as soon as he reared the 
Confederate standard on the soil of Missouri. He appealed to the 
President for aid, but the only step taken by General Grant, was to 
send to Missouri General Hunt, who considered that there was no 
danger, and no need of reinforcements. Even when Rosecrans ar- 
rested the State Commander, and several prominent members of the 
secret " Order of American Knights," he received an order to liberate 
the Commander. At last he was allowed to raise some twelve 
months' men. While he was thus battling with the obstinate incre- 
dulity that prevailed at Washington, the crisis was approaching. On 
the 3d of September, General Washburne commanding at Memphis, 
warned General Rosecrans that Shelby was at Batesville in Arkansas, 
ready to join Price and invade Missouri. Then at last they began to 
believe. General A. J. Smith then moving up the Mississippi river, 
was ordered to proceed to St. Louis. 

On the 26th, Price had made his way to Pilot Knob, and with his 
army of ten thousand men invested General Hugh S. Ewing who 
held it. Rude as his works were Ewino- showed firrht, and in an 
obstinate resistance repulsed two assaults in which Price lost full a 
thousand men. But when night came, Ewing who saw that he could 
not hold out with one thousand men against nine times his number, 
spiked his large guns, and blew up his magazine, making. good his 
retreat to Harrison, where he was attacked by Shelby, and again 
fought obstinately till relieved. 



9 

PRICE RETREATS IN UTMOST HASTE. 88l 

Rosecrans remained at St. Louis, overawinor the disaffected and 
gathering his forces. Price moved rapidly, his men being nearly all 
mounted. He destroyed bridges and railroads to prevent pursuit. 
But Smith was on his trail, and others were gathering in his van. As 
he menaced Jefferson City, Generals McNeil and Sanborn reached it 
in time to make a defence : Price did not attack but marched west- 
ward. 

Pleasonton, who took command of the United States forces, sent 
Sanborn in pursuit, and that officer brought him to action at Ver- 
sailles, hoping to delay him till Smith came up. Price was now in 
great danger as superior forces were closing around him ; but he 
eluded them and started southward. 

Pleasonton brouoht him to action on the Bi'j Blue, and after a bat- 
tie lastino- from seven in the mornincr till one in the afternoon, routed 
him. Smith, sent off his right track, could not reach Price's line of 
retreat in time. But Curtis, from Kansas, and Pleasonton brought 
him to action again, at Marais des Cygnes and I^ittle Osage. The 
last action was particularly disastrous to Price, who lost eight guns 
and more than a thousand of his men were taken prisoners, including 
Generals Marmaduke and Cabell, and great quantities of arms and 
trophies. 

After this it was a mere flight ; Price retreated in the utmost haste, 
strewinor- the roads with the wrecks of his wagons and his stores. 

The last action was at Fayetteville in Arkansas, where Colonel 
Brooks held out against Pagan's command, and then against Price's 
army till Curtis came up and raised the siege. 

Price with Shelby and the Missouri recruits had in his operations 
in this campaign at least twenty-five thousand men : of these in this 



882 LIEUTENANT-GENERAL U. S. GRANT, 

last Confederate invasion of Missouri, lie lost two thousand in. pris- 
oners, and more in killed and wounded. There was no general rising, 
as he had anticipated, among the Secessionists of the State, and his 
force as he retreated dwindled sadly. 



CHAPTER XII. 

General Grant in Virginia — He takes Command of tlie Armies — The Army of the Potomac 
Reorganized — Kilpatrick sent against Richmond — Death of Dahlgren — Grant Fights the 
Battle of the Wilderness — Spottsylvania — Hancock Storms the Lines — His Captures — Sheri- 
dan and J. E. B. Stuart — Butler Operating south of the James — Action at Port Walthall 
Junction — Beauregard attacks Butler — Gunboats blown up — Grant at the North Anne — A 
sharp Action — Burnside Defeated — Repulse at Cold Harbor — Butler's Operations against 
Petersburg — Meade at the Weldon Railroad — Defeat of Hancock and Gregg — Close of the 
Campaign of 1S64 — Jones and Avery in the Shenandoah Valley — Early threatens Washing- 
ton — Sheridan sent against him — Battles of Opequan and Fisher's Hill — Early Surprises 
Crook at Cedar Creek — Sheridan's Ride — A Defeat turned into a \'ictory by a single man. 

The government had now resolved to confer a higher rank and 
greater powers on General Grant, investing him with the command 
of all the armies of the United States. In February, 1864, an act 
was passed reviving the grade of Lieutenant-General, never conferred 
on any one but the Father of his Country. President Lincoln at 
once approved the act, and nominated General Grant. 

Summoned from the West by telegraph, he proceeded to Washing- 
ton, and received his commission as Lieutenant-General, commanding 
all the forces of the United States. General Halleck, who had so 
long directed the operations of the war, became Chief-of-StafT of the 
Army. 

Lieutenant-General Grant on taking command announced that his 
headquarters would be in the field, and for the time being with the 



HE TAKES COMMAND OF THE ARMIES. 88^ 

Army of the Potomac. A new military division, tliat of tlie Missis- 
sippi, comprising the Departments of the Ohio, the Cumberland, the 
Tennessee, and the Arkansas, was created, and General \V. T. Sher- 
man assigned to it, General McPherson assuming command of the 
Department of the Tennessee. 

The Army of the Potomac, which was now to do active service 
under the eye and direction of the Lieutenant-General, was now re- 
organized and formed into three corps, the Second under General 
Hancock, the Fifth under General Warren, and the Sixth under 
General Sedgwick. Burnside then joined it with his, the Ninth Corps, 
swelling its effective strength to more than a hundred thousaji-d men. 

The operations began by cavalry expeditions. General Custer, at 
the end of February, with fifteen hundred horse crossed the Rapidan, 
and moved rapidly down to Charlottesville, where he was met by a 
superior force, and retired, followed by hundreds of negroes, having 
done considerable damage to the railroads, depots, and bridges. But 
his main object was to divert attention from a raid under Kilpatrick, 
who about the same time crossed the Rapidan, and pushed on through 
Spottsylvania Court House, Beaver Dam, across the South Anne to 
Kilby Station, and so on till he got within the defenses of Richmond, 
passing the first and second lines, and for several hours attacking 
the third. He encamped, the night of March ist, between Richmond 
and theChickahominy, but being attacked, moved down toward Fort 
Monroe, from which General Butler sent out a force to meet him. 

Another expedition, under Colonel Dahlgren, was to strike Rich- 
mond on the south, but lost its way, and did not appear before the inner 
fortifications of that capital till the 2d, when he was repulsed with loss, 
and was checked at Dabney's Mills, on his retreat, by local militia, who 



884 LEE OPENS THE TERRIBLE CAMPAIGN. 

killed him, and dispersed his command, capturing many. Young Dahl- 
gren, a brave officer and gentleman, was treated when dead with the ut- 
most indignity, and the Confederate authorities refused to give him up 
for burial, pretending most incendiary documents were found on liim. 

Butler, too, menaced Richmond with his army, so that the Con- 
federates were obliged to look to the safety of their capital as well 
as confront Grant. 

On the 4t 1 of May, the Army of the Potomac, under INIeade, crossed 
the RapiJan on Lee's right ; Warren and Sedgwick at German ia 
Fords ; Hancock at Ely's ; followed next day by Burnside. They were 
moving on Chancellorsville. The district was known as the Wilder- 
ness, and well deserved its name. A rocky table-land, cut up b)' deep 
ravines, and covered with dwarf trees and dense bushes, with few 
roads through it, and those of the most primitive character. Lee re- 
solved to keep Grant here, and moved out of Mine Run, to open the 
terrible and bloody campaign, in which Lee's generalship and tact 
were matched by the stubborn Grant's plan, which was to flank Lee's 
right, and force him to leave position after position in the hope of 
findincr a battle-o-round where he could slve him a decisive defeat. 
This he hoped to do between the Rapidan and Chickahominy, but 
Lee was a consummate general. 

The first battle in that campaign was that of the Wilderness, 
fought from the 5th to the 12th of May. 

On the 5th, as Grant's army was marching to the positions he had 
selected, Lee struck them in force. Warren and Sedgwick, on the 
right of Grant's army, were met by Hill and Ewell between the Old 
Wilderness Tavern and Parker's Store. Hill repulsed the attack of 
Warren, and was charging Warren's left flank when Hancock with his 



SECOND day's fight IN THE WILDEIOJESS. 885 

divisions came up, and after a stubborn fight claecked the enemy. 
Ewell, attacking Sedgwick, had lost Generals Jones, Stafford and 
Pegram, and suffered severely without any real gain. 

The next day, Grant made an advance of his whole line, but Lee 
was already in motion, who first struck Sedgwick attempting to flank 
him. At eight o'clock Lee made a charge on Grant's whole front 
turning to account their thorough knowledge of the ground and en- 
deavoring to push in between our different corps, and attack them in 
flank. But Grant's line stood firm, and Hancock on the left actually 
forced Hill back across the Brock road, till Longstreet, comino- to 
Hill's relief, for a time threw Hancock's front into disorder. But 
Burnside came up, and the battle raged furiously. Lee's army, better 
arranged to move men to support the weak points, kept sending up 
fresh troops. Gathering up for a fresh onset, Lee again char^Ted, and 
Hancock and Burnside were forced back to their intrenchments and 
abatis on the Brock road, and there lost the brave Gen. Jas. S. Wads- 
worth, who had been in service from the commencement of the war. 

Grant's line was again formed, Hancock on the left, then Burnside, 
then Warren, then Sedgwick, at the right. After a lull Lee charged 
again with Hill and Longstreet's corps, and forcing back one of Burn- 
side's brigades pushed through to attack on the flank. But Hancock 
was on the alert. At a word Colonel Carroll's brigade sprang for- 
ward, the flanking Confederates struck in flank, themselves were 
driven back with heavy loss, and again the Army of the Potomac 
stood grimly awaiting another onset, but none came. After a long 
lull, however, just as night was falling, Lee, suddenly massing his men, 
struck swiftly and well on Grant's right, surprising and routing two 
brio-ades, and oettine off in the coming darkness with many prisoners. 



886 DEATH OF GENERAL SEDGWICK SPOTTSVLVANIA. 

So ended the second day's battle, in which many a brave man 
breathed his last, but in spite of the slaughter neither side had gained 
any advantage. Yet Grant had sacrificed full twenty thousand men, 
Generals Wadsworth and Hays were killed, Hancock, Getty, Gregg, 
Owen, and several other generals wounded. Lee, in spite of his be- 
ing the assailing party, seems to have lost much less : they admitted 
only eight thousand loss, but Generals Jones, Stafford, and Jinkins 
were killed, Longstreet severely wounded, with many others. 

The next day (Sunday), the 8th of May, Grant moved out of the 
Wilderness, slowly making his way through the intricate passes of 
that desolate district. As he emerged, he found Lee's troops in all 
favorable positions to check his advance. Skirmishing at once began, 
but the next day Grant had. the whole army of the Potomac, under 
Meade, drawn up around Spottsylvania Court House, Warren in the 
centre, Hancock on the right, and Sedgwick on the left. The last 
of these generals was placing his guns, and bantering some soldiers 
who shrunk from the bullets, when he was struck in the face by a ball 
and fell dead, and Grant was thus deprived of one of his best corps 
commanders, at the very moment when he was about to fight a seri- 
ous battle. General Wright succeeded to the command of the corps, 
and Burnside coming up took post on his left. 

Grant now became the assailant. He attempted to turn Lee's left 
flank, but failed ; and his charge on Lee's line, though made with all 
possible skill and bravery, failed to break them, till Wright's division 
by a gallant charge carried part of the Confederate works, capturing 
nearly a thousand prisoners with many guns. The day closed, how- 
ever, without any material success, the field strewn with dead and dy- 
ing. It was from this battle-field that Grant sent a dispatch contain- 



( 



HANCOCK HOLDS THE " BLOODY ANGLE. 887 

ing an expression that became a by-word : " I propose to fight it out 
on this Hne, if it takes all summer." 

Again Grant rearranged his line so as to assume the offensive when 
day came. Amid a fog that hung over the scene, Hancock pushed 
forward upon an earthwork before him, held by Johnson, one of 
Ewell's division generals. Swiftly and silently, Hancock swept over 
the rugged wooded space before him, and dashed with a cheer over 
the Confederate works, capturing Generals Johnson and Stewart, 
three thousand men and thirty guns. He had nearly captured Lee 
himself, and cut the Confederate army in two. Roused to despair, 
Lee accumulated troops to crush Hancock or drive him back ; but 
Grant too hurried up his men. Warren and Burnside charged, though 
in vain, the works before them, able only to keep the Confederates 
there from reinforcing the centre. There Lee was straining every 
nerve to overwhelm Hancock. Five times his men charged with all 
their Southern dash, and all the firmness of veterans that they were. 
Flags were often planted on opposite sides of the same breastwork. 
Hancock, striving not only to hold his own, but to push on, met their 
assaults with frisfhtful carnage, and charged in turn. Though rain set 
in, it was not till midnight that the noise of battle died away and Lee 
withdrew, leaving Hancock in possession of his dear-bought advan- 
tage. But he fortified a new line, and awaited attack. 

Grant, however, kept to his purpose. Fight he would, if he 
must, and at any sacrifice of men, but he was pushing on to Rich- 
mond. 

On the 1 8th and 19th of May were fought the last battles around 
Spottsylvania Court House. They had cost Meade's Army of the 
Potomac fully twenty thousand men. 



888 



BUTLER MISSES THE PRIZE AT PETERSBURG. 



On the night of the 20th, moving by the left, Grant resumed his 
march. 

Again the cavalry was sent out. Sheridan captured Beaver Dam 
Station, liberating four hundred United States soldiers, destroying the 
railroad track, and immense stores for Lee's army. Though Stuart 
came dashing down with all his wonted gallantry, he could not check 
Sheridan, who next destroyed Ashland Station, and pushed on 
toward Richmond. 

Stuart had massed his cavalry at Yellow Tavern, and was ready to 
meet him. One of the fiercest cavalry fights of the war followed, but 
Stuart fell mortally wounded, and his force was driven off. Again the 
cavalry of the United States dashed within the outer defenses of 
Richmond, sweeping off prisoners under its very guns, and then 
returned to Meade's army. 

The war was now crowding down toward Richmond, and Petersburg 
became a point of great importance, as all the railroad lines by which 
Lee could obtain men or supplies from the South centred there. To 
secure this as part of Grant's operations, Butler, in May, advanced up 
the James, with Smith's and Gillmore's corps, the Eighteenth and 
Tenth, with Kautz's cavalry. Ironclads escorted the transports, and 
all seemed to promise success. Fort Powhatan and City Point were 
seized, but owing to a want of harmony, and mistakes, the great prize 
was missed. Meanwhile the Confederates had taken alarm. Lee 
could spare no troops, so Beauregard was summoned from Charleston, 
and came hastening up as fast as railroads could bring him and the 
troops he gathered. While Butler supposed Beauregard at Charles- 
ton, that general suddenly on the i6th of May hurled Whitino's divi- 
sion on Butler's right, in the attempt to turn it. Smith's men gave, 



GRANT PUSHING STURDILY ON TO RICHMOND. 889 

but Gillmore finally checked the movement, and repulsed the as- 
sault. 

Butler was now convinced that the Confederates were in force be- 
fore him. Smith, with no time to intrench, resorted to a stratagem, 
which in a foggy morning was singularly successful. Finding a lot 
of telegraph wire at hand, he stretched it between the trees along his 
front, about two feet from the ground. This strange preparation was 
scarcely made when the Confederates, yelling and whooping, rushed 
on his front. Charging blindly on, the soldiers tripped over the wire, 
and went down to be shot or bayoneted before they could rise. 

But Beauregard again endeavored to turn Smith's right, and that 
general fell back, Gillmore doing the same. Beauregard, who had 
lost nearly as many men as Butler, then advanced cautiously and 
ran a line of works across the peninsula. 

"We are bottled up," wrote Butler to Grant, and the phrase be- 
came a by-word. The great object of his movement was indeed lost. 
and Petersburg was, as we shall see, to cost Grant many months 
and thousands of lives before it was reduced. 

Meanwhile Grant was pushing sturdily on to Richmond. From 
Spottsylvania Court House, he moved by another flanking movement 
to the North Anne. Lee, watching him from the high ground, made 
one attack and then fell back to confront him at the crossing. As War- 
ren came up to Jericho Ford, he encountered a fierce attack in the 
usual Confederate style, made on his right flank by General Brown, 
with three brigades of Hill's corps. In his furious charge. Brown 
swept back Cutler on his right, and Griffin on his left, but was 
checked and routed by McCoy's 83d Pennsybania, one of whose 
men seized Brown by the collar, and dragged liim into the United 



^90 BATTLES AT COLD HARBOR. 

States lines, where nearly a thousand of his men bore him company 
as prisoners. 

Hancock carried a bridge-head, and Grant thought that he had 
triumphantly crossed the river ; but Lee had merely left the river- 
bank to draw up on a height in a sort of horse-shoe shape that was 
almost impregnable. "Grant paused and pondered, studied and 
planned ; " but it was useless to waste lives there, so he kept on his 
march, and on the 28th of March, crossed the Pamunkey. 

Lee had of course not lain idle. Having a much shorter road, he 
was in advance of Grant, and already in position-his front holding 
both railroads, and the turnpike to Richmond, so as to make it next 
to impossible for Grant to cross the Chickahominy on his right. But 
there was no alternative, Grant had to try it. Reconnaissances along 
the front of Lee's line showed it.to be almost impregnable: so 
Wright's Sixth Corps was pushed across the Chickahominy, near 
Cold Harbor, where they were soon joined by General Smith, with 
ten thousand men from Butler's army. 

On the 2d of June, the battle of Cold Harbor began. Grant car- 
ried a good part of the Confederate advance line of rifle-pits, with 
many prisoners ; but failed to carry the second line, in front of which 
they bivouacked having lost two thousand In the brave but fruitless 
struggle. 

On the 3d of June, Grant resolved upon a general assault on the 
Confederate lines— well as Lee was posted-defended by the natural 
advantages which led his military skill to select It, and strengthened 
by the works which he at once threw up. At sunrise the attack was 
made by Hancock, Wright, and Smith, with all the intrepidity of the 
bravest : Barlow's division gained some advantage, but were hurled 



GRANT CROSSES THE JAMES RIVER. 89 1 

back ; Colonel MclMahon planted his colors on the Confederate 
works only to fall mortally wounded. Burnside swung round into 
action, but all in vain. 

The old battle oround where McClellan had foujrht, with Gaines' 
Mill in view, was again uselessly dyed with blood. A fiercer battle 
has seldom been known. In twenty minutes after the first shot 
was fired, ten thousand soldiers of the United States lay dead 
and wounded before Lee's works, while his loss had been only a 
thousand. 

Meade under Grant's direction, ordered the attack to be renewed, 
but the men refused to obey. 

Lee, encouraged by his success, made a night attack on Grant's 
line, and though repulsed, renewed it two nights later. 

Grant adhering to his plan, resolved now to cross the Chicka- 
hominy and James, and attack Richmond from the South. While 
preparing for this, he sent Sheridan out with his cavalry around 
Lee's left. Once in the saddle, that dashing commander swept 
around to the rear, tearing up the Virginia Central Railroad ; then 
the Fredericksburg road, then the Central road again at Trevilians, 
hard as Wade Hampton tried to prevent him, and so on down to 
Louisa Court House, where the Confederates had gathered in force 
to surround him. But he swept back to Trevilians, where he had to 
fight again for very existence, and galloped off to Grant's camp. 

That commander had crossed the Chickahominy almost unmo- 
lested by Lee, and reaching the James, at Charles City Court House, 
crossed to the South on the 14th and 15th of June. 

Just before this, on the 8th, Butler had made another attempt on 
Petersburg; Kautz's cavalry having actually entered the place, but 



S92 FOUR GUNS AND FOUR HUNDRED PRISONERS. 

being unsupported by GiUmore — who had halted within two miles of 
the city, after driving the Confederate skirmishers into it — had to 
retire. 

When Grant arrived, he ordered Butler to send Smith's corps — 
which had been restored to him — against Petersburg, to capture it 
before A. P. Hill could occupy it with his corps. Smith carried the 
outer line of rifle-pits, but halted ; and Hancock, who came up, had 
received no orders, so there they lay with the prize in their grasp, 
leaving Hill with his veterans to march in, fortify the place, and 
defy them to attack. That night's delay cost months of time and 
torrents of blood. By daybreak, the silent works before them were 
manned by the grim veterans of Lee, whose disciplined bravery han- 
. died by skillful officers, made them a match for ten times their num- 
bers. The armies that had faced each other at Gettysburg, fighting 
steadily all the way down across Virginia, were here again confronted. 

In Grant's army Smith was under Meade on the right, resting on 
the Appomattox, Warren on the left, with Hancock and Burnside in 
the centre. 

At six o'clock in the afternoon of June i6th, a general assault was 
made. The three corps moved on to the assault under a terrible fire. 
Birney of Hancock's corps carried the ridge before him, Burnside at 
daybreak took an outwork with four guns and four hundred prisoners : 
but the assault at other points failed, and when night came on, Lee 
concentrated all on Burnside and drove him out. 

To divert Lee if possible, Butler moved on Port Walthal Junction, 
but Longstreet forced him back, and the point was soon made im- 
pregnable. 

On the i8th. Grant ordered another general assault only to find 



INTRENCHED AT PETERSBURG BUTLER AT DEEP BOTTOM. 893 

that Lee had evacuated his former line to occupy a still stronger and 
better one in front of the beleaguered city. This was attacked on 
the afternoon of the iSth, but only to cover the ground with the 
corpses of his gallant men ; Grant had lost already ten thousand hu- 
man lives at Petersburg. 

He accordingly began to intrench, while the Second and Fourth 
Corps were sent to turn Lee's right. As usual, a large gap was left 
between the two corps ; and the Confederates aware of this system in 
the United States armies, resorted to their usual tactics : Hill charged 
through the gap, taking each corps successively in f^ank, throwing 
them into disorder, and capturing guns and men. Meade restored 
order, and advanced to the Weldon Railroad, where Hill again at- 
tacked, taking the advanced regiments in flank. Without any ma- 
terial gain, Grant had here sacrificed four thousand more. His cav- 
alry under Wilson and Kautz did some service by destroying part of 
the Weldon, Lynchburg, and Danville roads ; but they were repulsed 
at Stony Creek, and signally defeated at Reams' Station, losing guns, 
trains, prisoners, and horses, and barely escaping to Grant's lines. 
Even cavalry expeditions after this were suspended. 

Butler was at Deep Bottom, within ten miles of Richmond, and 
Sheridan with his cavalry operating on the same side. But active 
operations on Grant's were nearly suspended ; his armies, which in 
eight weeks had lost seventy thousand men, needed rest and rein- 
forcement, or at all events discipline for the raw recruits se-nt to fill 
up the decimated ranks. 

Lee, who had suffered less, took the offensive, and made two at- 
tacks on the 24th and 25th of June, which were, however, easily re- 
pulsed. Then he attacked Foster's post at Deep Bottom, but was 



894 THE CHARGE INTO THE CRATER OF DEATH. 

again defeated. Grant then sent the Second Corps to his right, and 
while Foster kept the Confederates engaged in front, Hancock turned 
their flank, capturing their outpost with four guns. The Confederates 
retreated, but held on to a strong work opposite Fort DarHng. Sheri- 
dan manoeuvred to take this work in the rear, so that Lee to secure 
it drew five of eight divisions from Petersburg. Then Burnside, who 
had mined a Confederate fort in his front, blew it up on the 30th of 
July ; but there had been confusion as to the party to charge into the 
crater after the explosion ; precious time was lost, an incompetent 
officer went in, and though supported by a black division, was finally 
driven out by the Confederates, who even including their losses by 
the mine, had sacrificed less than a thousand men, while Grant's 
killed, wounded, and prisoners, amounted to four thousand four hun- 
dred. So ended what Grant himself terms, "a miserable affair." 

Another attack on the 12th, made by Hancock on Lee's lines, and 
a night attack on the i8th, alike failed. 

The only advantage gained lay in the fact, that Lee was forced to 
concentrate his troops near Richmond. Taking advantage of this, 
Warren on the i8th, struck at the Weldon railroad, and holding it, 
pushed on toward Petersburg. But the Confederates saw the dan- 
ger, and were at their old flank movement. Taking a road unknown 
to Warren, they came suddenly on him, taking a Maryland brigade 
in flank, and hurling it back. But Warren arrested the charge ; 
repelled the Confederates ; and fortifying his position, held the 
Weldon railroad at last. 

But the usual slow movements nearly proved disastrous to Warren. 
He was without support, and at a distance from the rest of the army. 
The space between should have been filled by General Bragg, whom 



THE BATTLE AT CHAPIn's FARM. 895 

Warren again ordered to occupy it. Before it was done, Hill 
charged in, according to the uniform Confederate plan, striking 
Crawford on the flank and rear, and capturing twenty-five hundred 
men. Two of Burnside's brigades came up, however, and the lost 
ground was regained. But three days after, Warren saw the struggle 
coming. Lee was massing troops to crush him, and open the road. 
A terrible artillery fire opened upon him, and then on his front and 
left, the Confederates came swooping down with desperate courage. 
But Warren stood like a wall of iron, not only repulsing the assault, 
but driving them from the field, where they left their dead, and 
many men to fall as prisoners into Warren's hands. While this 
battle was going on, Hancock, who had been busy tearing up the 
road at Ream's Station, a few miles from Warren, was attacked by 
Hill. Heth, the Confederate, after three unsuccessful charges, at 
last carried Miles' position on Hancock's right ; Gibbons failed to 
retake it, and was in turn driven from his breastworks, and, unsup- 
ported, Hancock was at last forced from the road with heavy loss. 

As the summer had passed, and winter was approaching, Grant re- 
solved to push Lee vigorously. Another general advance was made. 
On the 29th of September, General Butler with Birney's corps, the 
Tenth and Ord's : the Eighteenth fought the battle of Chapin Farm, 
assaulting and taking Fort Harrison, with fifteen guns, and a long 
line of intrenchments. He failed to take Fort Gilmer, which Gen- 
eral Field held too firmly. Fort HarrisoVi was too important to be 
lost without a struggle to regain it. The next day, Field assaulted it 
on one side with three brieades, while General Hoke charq-ed on the 
other. But the long dread struggle died away with the day, leaving 
the battle-field strewn with dead and wounded ; Field drew off, hav- 



896 FIGHT AT THE BOYDTON PLANK ROAD. 

ing failed to accomplish his purpose ; although he subsequently sur- 
prised General Kautz on the Charles City Road, and captured five 
hundred of his men. 

On the first of October, Warren pushed westward to Squirrel Level 
Road, and intrenched after defeating and killing General Dunnovan. 
He at once threw up works to connect this position with that on the 
Weldon road. For a time the two armies lay in front of each other, 
the thunder and booming of cannon along the lines being the only 
movement. 

At last Grant resolved on another attempt. While Butler attacked 
on the left, Meade's Army of the Potomac was pushed forward to 
turn Lee's right flank. Warren, on the 27th of October, pushed for- 
ward with the Ninth and Fifth Corps upon the enemy's works at 
Hatcher's Run ; while Hancock reached and crossed the Boydton 
Plank Road. Warren could not carry the Confederate works before 
him, and Hancock and he were as usual separated, and in their igno- 
rance of the country, did not know each other's positions. The old 
opportunity was afforded to the Confederates, and they did not 
neelect it. Down through the woods came, silent and swift, Heth's 
division of Hill's corps. Drawing up, it burst with a yell on Mott's 
division of Hancock's corps, which gave way ; but Egan, without 
waiting orders at once faced, and as the Confederates emerged from 
the woods in pursuit of Mott, Egan swept down with two brigades 
taking them in flank, recapturing Mott's guns and taking a thousand 
prisoners. Heth fought like a hero, but his men were hurled back, 
and two hundred more retreating from Egan's terrible charge, ran 
into Crawford's lines and were taken. Had Crawford advanced none 
of Heth's division could have escaped. 



FEDERAL MOVEMENTS IN THE SHENANDOAH. 897 

Meanwhile Hancock's left and rear were assailed by Wade Hamp- 
ton, with five brigades of cavalry, and Gregg's cavalry only with 
great difficulty held their ground. At last the battle ended. Han- 
cock had held his ground, but as reinforcements might not come up 
in time, he determined to fall back. Grant's line thus extended to 
the Squirrel Level road. 

This action closed Grant's active operations of the year against 
Lee. In this bloody half-year, between the 5th of May, and 28th of 
October, his loss had been fully a hundred thousand men, seven 
luindred and ninety-six officers, and nearly ten thousand men killed ; 
about fift)'-four thousand wounded, and twenty-four thousand taken 
prisoners from the Army of the Potomac, the losses of Burnside and 
Butler swelling it to the fearful hundred thousand. 

Lee's losses were probably about half that amount. 

When Grant began his operations against Lee's main army, he had 
directed Sigel to move up the Valley of the Shenandoah ; but Sigel 
handled his army so badly, that he was routed at Newmarket by Gen- 
eral Breckinridge, who captured seven hundred men, six guns, a 
thousand stand of arms, Sigel's hospitals and part of his train. 

General Averill with his cavalry, attempted to destroy the lead- 
works at Wytheville, but he was defeated by Morgan and failed. 
General Crook did indeed defeat McCausland at Dublin Station, 
but was soon forced to retreat ; and the whole movement in the val- 
ley proved a failure. 

Hunter, succeedino- Sieel, found an easier task at his hand, Breck- 
inridge, and many other commands, having been ordered to reinforce 
Lee. On the 5th of June, Hunter brought General W. E. Jones to 
action at Piedmont near Staunton. In the spirited and well-fought 



898 EARLY DESTROYS B. AND O. RAILROAD. 

action Jones fell dead, pierced through by a minie ball, and his army 
was utterly routed ; Hunter gathering up fifteen hundred prisoners, 
three thousand stand of arms, and three pieces of artillery. 

General Hunter then pressed on toward Lynchburg, by the way 
of Lexington, at the head of an army of twenty thousand men. 
But this was no part of Grant's plan, who expected Hunter to move 
to Gordonsville. 

General Hunter's error was soon manifest, Lynchburg was too im- 
portant a city for the Confederates to lose. Anxious as he was to 
use every man, Lee detached troops to save Lynchburg ; and Hunter 
finding formidable forces gathering around him, retreated, sharply 
pursued to Salem. Thence he made his way through Newcastle into 
West Virginia, exposing the Shenandoah Valley. 

Early, who had been sent to relieve Lynchburg, saw his oppor- 
tunity, and marched in all haste to the Potomac. Sigel fled at his 
approach, abandoning valuable stores ; while Early destroyed the 
Baltimore and Ohio railroad, levied contributions, burned part of 
Williamsport, and carried his raids into Pennsylvania. Li fact, he 
produced such a panic that President Lincoln called on Pennsylvania, 
New York, and Massachusetts, for militia. 

Meanwhile General Lewis Wallace was gathering troops to meet 
Early, and at last with very inferior forces engaged him at the 
Monocacy. Early charged him on the morning of the 9th of July ; 
but though outnumbered, Wallace repulsed not only that, but another 
assault by Early's second line. Reinforcements had been promised 
him, but when at four o'clock. Early again advanced, he fell back. 
Colonel Brown gallantly holding a bridge which saved his force. 

While Early's cavalry menaced Baltimore, and a part under Gil- 



EARLY COMPLETE MASTER OF THE SHENANDOAH. 899 

mor burned the bridge over Gunpowder Inlet, capturing the passen- 
ger trains ; Early's main force pushed on to within six or seven miles 
of Washington City. There General Augur engaged him on the 
1 2th, and the place became too hot. He found that he had to escape 
at once if at all, as troops were approaching from Grant's army, and 
Hunter might block his way ; Wright's corps, the Sixth, was the first 
to give chase, but he moved feebly, for Early on the 20th of July, 
having reached the Shenandoah, and feeling as if on his own ground, 
turned on Wright with such impetuosity, as to drive back his ad- 
vance. Crook, succeeding Wright, followed Early to Winchester, 
but on the 23d of July, was furiously attacked by the able Confeder- 
ates, who routed him, killing among other eminent officers. Colonel 
Mulligan, the hero of Lexington, w^hose merit never won him a 
promotion. Crook, having lost twelve hundred men, retreated north 
of the Potomac. Early was complete master of the valley, and his 
cavalry raided in all directions, levying contributions. Chambersburg 
in Pennsylvania, unable to pay the hundred thousand dollars in gold 
which he demanded, was burnt by his cavalry under McCausland. 
Early had already in his first raid, burned Governor Bradford's, and 
Mr. Blair's residences near Washington. 

Averill at last drove the incendiaries across the Potomac ; and near 
Moorfield, on the 4th of August routed them, capturing their guns 
and wagons, and five hundred prisoners. 

It was evident that a General of more comprehensive mind and 
greater powers was required. Grant, therefore, sent General Sheri- 
dan to take command of the Middle Department, and troops amount- 
ing to thirty thousand men were placed at his command. It took 
some time to collect and arrange this force which he found widely 



goo EARLY FLEES BEFORE SHERIDAN. 

scattered, but Grant at last authorized him to assume the offen- 
sive. 

Sheridan waited for a moment when he could strike a blow to put 
his army in good spirits, and fill them with confidence. On the 13th 
of September, he saw his opportunity, and suddenly took Kershaw's 
division in flank, capturing a colonel and nearly two hundred of those 
South Carolina troops. 

The next morninof at two o'clock, he was on the move to attack 
Early's strong position on the west bank of the Opequan. By ten, 
Ricketts and Grover in the van, pushing through woodland and hill, 
rushed so resolutely on Early's first line that it was carried. General 
Rhodes being killed, and three of his Confederate colonels taken. 
Early, prompt as his antagonist, drove Grover and Ricketts back 
with fearful loss, but the shattered regiments rallied, and with the 
guns that came up, held an important pass, till, as the exulting Con- 
federates renewed their charges, other troops coming up took them 
in flank and front, and almost annihilated them. 

Then Sheridan charged with his centre, while the cavalry and 
Eighth Corps turned and struck Early's left flank. Sheridan's centre 
fired their last cartridges, but as Early's line still stood, charged with 
the bayonet. A height in the rear held out, but was soon taken by 
Crook, and Early thoroughly beaten fled, having lost three thousand 
prisoners, and many dead and wounded. Sheridan's loss was about 
three thousand, including General David A. Russell. 

Early made a stand at Fisher's Hill, eight miles south of Winches- 
ter, but here Sheridan striking him on the flank and rear with his 
Eighth Corps, and breaking his centre by a vigorous front attack again 
won a complete victory. 



THE DEVASTATION OF THE VALLEY. QOI 

; Early, hotly pursued, fled to the mountains, while Sheridan pushed 
on to Port Republic, and his cavalry captured and destroyed army 
supplies, and broke up railroads and bridges. 

On his return, Sheridan, under orders from General Grant to leave 
nothing in the valley that could invite the enemy to return, laid it 
waste with an unsparing hand. The destruction of Chambersburg, 
the bushwhacking of all his small parties, the murder of his engineer 
officer, Lieutenant Meigs, had steeled him. He destroyed more than 
two thousand barns full of grain and hay and seventy mills : he seized 
and issued to his troops three thousand sheep and a drove of four 
thousand cattle, and great numbers of horses. 

The South was filled with dismay and rage. The Confederate 
papers clamored for the burning of New York, Boston, or some North- 
ern city, and an attempt was actually made by Confederate agents to 
destroy the city of New York, by a general conflagration. 

As Sheridan retired from the valley. Early followed, and a few 
collisions occurred. Sheridan, however, deeming Early thoroughly 
beaten, proceeded to Washington. Meanwhile Eariy had been gath- 
ering his forces, and at nightfall of the 1 8th of October, moved silently 
out of his camp, and cautiously advanced flanking on both sides 
Crook's army of West Virginia, which lay in front of the 6th and 19th 
corps. Before dawn, the men of the South occupied the positions 
selected by the master-mind of the Confederate general. At the f^rst 
light of dawn, they opened a tremendous musketry fire, and charged, 
completely surprising the United States forces, many of the soldiers 
not even having their muskets loaded or time to charge them. In 
fifteen minutes the Army of West Virginia was a rabble of fugi- 
tives. 



902 BATTLE OF CEDAR CRtEK. 

Emory's Nineteenth Corps, after in vain endeavoring to arrest 
Crook's disordered flight, met the charge of Early's victorious troops, 
and held out till one-third of the men were either killed or wounded. 
The Sixth Corps, next assailed, retired steadily, leaving Early in pos- 
session of their camps, equipage, artillery, and numbers of prisoners, 
hale and wounded. 

Such was the tidinos which reached Sheridan at Winchester. He 
at once leaped into the saddle, and rode like the wind. By ten o'clock 
he reached the front of his crushed and defeated army. He at once 
stopped the retreat, and drew up his army again for battle, and for 
two hours studied the ground, and prepared for action. " Boys ! if 
I had been here this would not have happened," he cried, and they 
believed him. His new line was defended quickly, as well as time 
would allow, and every advantage taken of position. 

Early, eager to finish up the complete overthrow of the United 
States army, again attacked at one o'clock, but Emory on the left, in 
a dense wood, repulsed him with loss. 

At three, Sheridan charged along his whole line. Early's front line 
was carried, and Gordon, on Early's left, flanked and driven by the 
Nineteenth Corps. 

There was a pause in the thunder of artillery, and rattle of mus- 
ketry volleys, then came Sheridan's second charge, more determined 
than the first, with cavalry on both wings. Early could not stand the 
troops, well handled at eve, whom he had routed when badly-generaled 
at dawn. He gave way, and, pursued through Strasburg by the cav- 
alry, fled southward again, his army virtually destroyed ; Sheridan's 
war-worn men slept again in their camps, having lost three thousand 
men, but recovered many of their prisoners, taking fifteen hundred of 



PRISONERS OF WAR— CARTEL OF EXCHANGE. 9O3 

Early's men. They recovered their guns, and took twenty-three 
more, with caissons. 

This spirited action closed the operations in the wasted valley of 
the Shenandoah. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Sufferings of Prisoners— Andersonville— Forrest's Raids— He takes Fort Pillow— Fearful 
Atrocities — He routs Sturgis— Is beaten by A.J. Smith— Various Actions— Morgan's last 
Raid — Pursued and Killed— Sherman's Campaign against Johnston — His three Armies — 
Hooker takes Resaca — Davis takes Rome — Fight at Puinpkinvine Creek — New Hopes— Dal- 
las — Allatoona — Sherman repulsed at Kenesaw — Again flanks Johnston — Hood supersedes 
Johnston — He twice attacks Sherman and is Repulsed — Stoneman's Failure — Hardee De- 
feated — Hood abandons Atlanta — Sherman occupies it, and expels its Inhabitants — Hood 
endeavors to draw Sherman out of Georgia — French defeated by Corse at Allatoona — 
Thomas sent to defend Tennessee — Sherman prepares to march to the Sea. 

There were great numbers of prisoners taken on both sides, and 
the Confederates, from the disaster at Bull Run to the end of the war, 
always had thousands of United States prisoners in their hands. These 
prisoners fared badly. They were hooted at and reviled in the towns 
as they passed, and when the place of confinement was reached they 
were treated with great severity. The Northern papers were filled 
with accounts of the sufferings endured by the United States soldiers 
confined in Libby Prison, Castle Thunder, and other dungeons. 

The Confederate prisoners at Elmira, and other points in the North, 
complained as bitterly, and charged that the prisoners at the South 
fared no worse than the Southern troops. Some Southern prisoners 
to escape their harsh treatment entered the United States army to 
serve aeainst the Sioux, who liad begun to massacre the whites. 

The authorities at Washington were at first not disposed to recog- 
nize the Confederate government so far as to agree to exchanges of 



904 TREATMENT OF PRISONERS, NORTH AND SOUTH. 

prisoners, but after the disaster at Bull Run, when so many prisoners 
fell into tlieir hands, a greater willingness was shown. Finally a cartel 
was made by which prisoners were to be exchanged at Richmond on 
the East, and Vicksburg on the West. Various questions arose. The 
United States would not at f^rst recognize privateersmen as prisoners 
of war, and to the very end of the war, the Confederates refused to 
regard as such any negro soldiers who fell into their hands. Every 
negro taken by them was treated as a slave, even if born free in a 
Northern State. All such prisoners were sold as slaves, and many of 
them were held in slavery even after the close of the war. 

The lot of the white prisoners was a terrible one. The experience 
of the Bull Run prisoners filled the North with the terrors of prison- 
life at the South ; and at first every effort was made to effect ex- 
changes, but the Confederates raised difificulties, and toward the close 
of the war the United States showed as little desire to relieve the 
brave fellows who were wasting away in the filth and starvation of 
prisons. 

The prisoners taken from the Confederates were kept confined at 
various points in the North, Elmira in New York, and Johnson's 
Island in Lake Erie, among the number. They were both healthy 
localities, and the food supplied to the prisoners was good and suffi- 
cient, but great severity was required, especially at Johnson's 
Island, as plots were constantly on foot within and without. Con- 
federates in Canada planning to liberate them, and the prisoners 
themselves conspiring to escape to the British province. The boldest 
attempt of the kind was that made by a party of twenty men 
who got on board the Philo Parsons, at Maiden, in September, 1864, 
while on her way from Detroit to Sandusky. They seized the boat. 



MINOR OPERATIONS IN THE WEST. 9O5 

captured another steamer, tlie Island Queen, which they scuttled, and 
ran in toward Sandusky, where by the aid of Confederates in that 
city, they hoped tocapture the gunboat Michigan, but as their signals 
were unanswered, they ran over to the Canada side, and abandoned 
the vessel near Sandwich. 

It would be tiresome to follow all the minor operations of the war 
in the West, or to tell how Hurlbut's cavalry raided to Grenada, in 
Mississippi ; how Forrest dashed into West Tennessee, and made good 
his escape with more men and better horses than when he entered ; 
how Sherman's grand move to Meridian came to naught ; to tell of 
General W. Smith's race to Memphis, with Forrest at his heels. 

On the iith of March, there was, however, a brisk fight in the 
streets of Yazoo City, then held by one white and two colored regi- 
ments. The Confederates, under Ross and Richardson, dashed into 
the place in superior numbers, and a desperate battle was fought in 
the streets, in which the Confederates were rapidly gaining possession 
of the town, when cheering told the arrival of reinforcements of 
United States troops. The Confederates withdrew, but soon had the 
satisfaction of seeing the place evacuated by the American forces. 

Then again we hear of Forrest raiding in March into Tennessee, 
capturing a cavalry regiment at Union City, and finally investing 
Fort Anderson at Paducah. But Colonel Hicks, with his Illinois 
boys, prepared to make fight. In vain Forrest made assault after 
assault. Hicks repelled every charge, so that Forrest at last drew off. 

Then Buford summoned Hicks to surrender, but the Confederate 
was too wise to risk an assault. 

But Forrest was not always unsuccessful. Before sunrise, on the 
1 2th of April, he appeared before Fort Pillow, a post about forty 



906 BLOODIEST PAGE IN THE CIVIL WAR. 

miles above Memphis. It was commanded by Major Bootli, and gar- 
risoned by five hundred and fifty men. Major Booth held out, and 
the fight went on sharp and furious till nine o'clock, when Booth was 
killed. Major Bradford, however, kept up the fight, the gunboat 
" New Era," giving him some little aid ; but when she drew ofT, the 
Confederates stole down two ravines leading to the fort, and by a 
sudden dash entered it. Then ensued a scene of blood that is almost 
unparalleled in the annals of civilized warfare, and will form forever 
the darkest blot on the escutcheon of the Confederates. As the ear- 
rison with the women and children in the fort rushed down the slope 
toward the river, they were slaughtered without mercy, or dragged 
back to be wantonly put to death with refinements of crulty known 
only to savages. Not a negro was spared. Major Bradford was 
taken and murdered several miles from the place. They slew the 
negroes under the rules adopted ; and the whites for fighting for 
negroes. This horrible crime was attempted to be palliated by For- 
rest, and his superior officer Lee, but the stigma is ineffaceable, and 
even the British Parliament, which in other days thanked God for 
Cromwell's massacre at Drosfheda, did not trv to excuse the massa- 
ere of Fort Pillow, the bloodiest page in the Civil War. 

Forrest lost, he says, less than a hundred men, and butchered more 
than three hundred. He retreated in haste from the scene of mur- 
der, to safe quarters in Mississippi. 

An ineffectual attempt at pursuit was made by General S. D. Stur- 
gis, and somewhat later, an army of twelve thousand men under the 
same General, was sent against Forrest. He came up to the Con- 
federates at Guntown, on the Mobile railroad, on the lotli of June. 
Grierson's cavalry opened the action, and the infantry were hurried 



CONFEDERATE CAVALRY RAIDS IN THE WEST. 907 

up to their support without rest or judgment. A total rout was the 
consequence, Sturgis lost all his train, and nearly one-half his men. 

Mortified at this disgraceful defeat, the authorities in the West 
sent another army of twelve thousand men under General A. J. 
Smith, against Forrest. The Confederates impeded his progress by 
cavalry skirmishes, till Smith reached Tupelo, where Forrest had 
fourteen thousand men concentrated. He did not wait to be attacked, 
but three times in succession assaulted Smith's lines, sustaining such 
heavy loss that he drew off, leaving his dead and dangerously 
wounded on the field. 

This was on the 14th of July ; but Smith did not pursue Forrest. 
He returned to Memphis, and soon after, again marched to the Talla- 
hatchie. The active Confederate General had, however, given him 
the slip, flanking him by night, and, dashing into Memphis, at dawn 
on the 2 1st of August, made directly for the Gayoso House, where 
he hoped to capture several of the United States generals. He did 
indeed capture some officers, but was repulsed at Irving prison, where 
the Confederate captives were confined. He lost two hundred men 
in his two hours' stay, but destroyed a large amount of property, and 
carried off some three hundred prisoners. 

These Confederate cavalry raids were not confined to the banks of. 
the Mississippi. Wheeler swept down on a supply train from Chatta- 
nooga to Knoxville, and captured it easily near Charleston, on the 
Hiwassee, although it was almost immediately retaken by Colonel 
Long, who came clattering up with his Fourth Ohio cavalry. 

Morgan too was again in the field. He had to cope with Sturgis, 
whom Forrest had so well drubbed, and drove him back at least thirty 
miles. On the ist of June, Morgan dashed into Kentucky, at the 



908 CONFEDERATE RAIDER MORGAX KILLED. 

head of two thousand five hundred men, and eluding the watchfulness 
of General Burbridge, captured Mount Sterling, Paris, Cynthiana, 
and Williamstown, burning trains, tearing up railroad tracks, and 
sending small parties in all directions. One of these, only three hun- 
dred strong, captured General Hobson with sixteen hundred well- 
armed soldiers. But General Burbridge was now in full pursuit of 
Morgan, and on the 9th of June, defeated him at Moup.t Sterling. 
Then Morgan's band divided ; part, clashing through Lexington, 
burned the railroad depot, while another part set fire to the town of 
Cynthiana. On the 12th Burbridge was again up to Morgan, and 
attacked his camp while the men were at breakfast, killing, wound- 
ing and capturing seven hundred with a thousand horses, and liberat- 
ing many prisoners. The Confederate raider fled toward \"irginia, 
but, while endeavoring to form a new corps, was surprised at Green- 
ville, in East Tennessee, by General Gillcm. ^Morgan, in the con- 
fusion, attempted his escape, but he was intercepted and killed. 

Then the fortunes of war swayed to and fro. Burbridge, advanc- 
ing to destroy the Confederate saltworks at Saltville, near Abingdon, 
was defeated on the 2d of October by General Breckinridge, and re- 
treated, leaving his dead and wounded on the field. To counterbal- 
ance this reverse. General Gillem, on the 2Sth of October, attacked 
and completely routed a Confederate force under \'aughan and 
Palmer, capturing four hundred men and four guns ; but, while re- 
joicing over this victory, was in turn surprised at night by Breckin- 
ridge, on the 13th of October, and utterly routed, losing his battery- 
train, and almost all his arms. 

These were the minor operations of the war. The great move- 
ment in the West, was that made by General Sherman, simultane- 



I 



HARD FOUGHT BATTLE AT RESACA. 9O9 

ously with Grant's movement upon Lee. Sherman had under his 
control, the Army of the Cumberland, of sixty thousand men com- 
manded by General Thomas ; the Army of the Tennessee, about 
twenty-five thousand men commanded by General McPherson, and 
the Army of the Ohio, commanded by General Schofield, which 
numbered thirteen thousand. He had thus a force of nearly a hun- 
dred thousand men, with two hundred and fifty cannon. The Con- 
federate army before him was probably not more than fifty thousand 
strong, but it was commanded by General Johnston, the army corps 
being those of Generals Hardee, Hood, and Polk. 

The reinforcements which Rosecrans had asked in vain, were here 
given to Sherman, who was thus enabled to advance from Chattanooga, 
over the difficult country before him, and overwhelm his opponents. 

Johnston lay at Dalton, his front covered by a mountain pass, called 
Buzzard's Roost Gap, so fortified that no army could force it. Sher- 
man was too wise to attempt such a step, but while General Thomas 
made a show of attack in front, McPherson flanked Johnston's left, 
moving down toward his rear by Ship's Gap, Villanow, and Snake 
Gap, and actually menacing Resaca. Johnston, though he repulsed 
Thomas' charges, which were vigorously made in front, fell back on 
Resaca. Here Sherman again prepared to flank him, when Johnston 
turned furiously on Hooker and Schofield still on his front and left. 
The campaign opened with a hard-fought fight on the 15th of May, 
but Hooker drove the Confederates from several hills, and Johnston, 
abandoning Resaca by night, retreated, Hardee covering his rear. 
Thomas followed sharply, with Schofield on his left, and McPherson 
on his right. Johnston endeavored to make a stand in his strong 
works before Adairsville, but as Jefferson C. Davis, in Thomas' van, 



9IO ALLATOONA PASS EVACUATED BY CONFEDERATES. 

had taken Rome with its foundries and guns, he continued his re- 
treat. His only hope was the strong mountain country in his rear, 
where the natural defenses would put him more on an equality with 
Sherman. 

On the 19th of May, Sherman found him in a strong position at 
Cassville, but this was not Johnston's battle ground. He again re- 
treated, and at last drew up in a very strong position, covering the 
Allatoona Pass, in a rugged, difficult mountain tract. When Sher- 
man came up, he saw that it was too strong for a front attack. So 
he moved well to the ricjht, intendinof to concentrate his armv at 
Dallas ; but Johnston was on the alert ; he swung round so that when 
Hooker reached Pumpkinvine Creek, the Confederate was there con- 
fronting him in line of battle. Acjain the din of battle rane out, but 
Hooker failed to break the stubborn Confederate line, which the next 
day was seen to be well intrenched in very difficult ground, extend- 
ing from Dallas to Marietta. Nor was Johnston disposed to stand 
on the defensive. Just as Sherman was about to try another flank 
movement, he was himself attacked on his right. 

But McPherson had intrenched, and his men defended by breast- 
w^orks repulsed the impetuous charge of the Confederates. Sherman 
then in turn charged, and Howard's line swept down upon the 
Confederates, but Cleburne was never at fault, and he sent Howard 
back to his lines. 

Sherman at last so enveloped the Allatoona Pass, that Johnston 
was compelled to evacuate it. Sherman at once placed a strong gar- 
rison here, making it a base of supplies. He had thus far, by sturdy 
fighting and generalship, forced his antagonist back, but it had cost 
him the lives of many brave men. Fortunately at this moment. Gen- 



THE COSTLY REPULSE AT KENESAW. 9II 

eral Frank Blair arrived with part of the Seventeenth Corps and a 
brigade of cavalry. 

Once more Sherman began his march through the rugged land, till 
became in sight of Kenesaw, Pine, and Lost mountains, towering in 
rugged bulk before him. There lay Johnston, his long line defended 
in part by nature ; where too his veterans had reared defenses, or 
were still busy strengthening them. It seemed a desperate venture 
to attack such men well handled, and so defended ; but Sherman at 
last, on the 14th of June, attempted to force a passage between Kene- 
saw and Pine mountain. As the battle opened, Johnston and his gen- 
erals gathered to watch events. The group caught the eye of 
Thomas, who ordered a battery to open upon it. The Confederate 
generals got out of range, but General Polk in his anxiety to watch 
the battle, ventured out, when a three-inch shot struck him on the 
side and tore him to pieces. 

Sherman kept crowding on, losing heavily in men, but gaining 
o-round. A day's ficrhtinor made Pine mountain and Lost mountain 
untenable by the Confederates. Kenesaw, however, held out, the 
artillery hurling its iron hail on the approaches, and Hood even 
chareed on Sherman's line. 

Weary at last, the United States general, on the 27th of June, 
made a vigorous attack on Johnston's lines south of Kenesaw. But 
in vain did Thomas and McPherson sweep nobly up to the enemy's 
breastworks. Their position was unassailable, and the American flag 
was borne back in the recoil, General Harker, General Daniel 
McCook dead, and three thousand gallant officers and soldiers 
stretched dead, or wounded on the rugged mountain-side. 

Without pausing over this costly repulse, Sherman pushed forward 



912 CONFEDERATES MUST FIGHT FOR ATLANTA. 

his right, moving McPherson rapidly down to the Chattahoochee, at 
nieht fall. Johnston saw his dancrer, and through the lone summer 
night, troops moved swiftly through rock and woodland. When the 
sun rose the position had changed. Sherman's troops held the sum- 
mit of Kenesaw, and Johnston's army was passing out of Marietta. i; | 

Sherman was soon in pursuit, hoping to take Johnston at a disad- 
vantage at the crossing of the Chattahoochee, but his antagonist was { 
prompt and cautious. He was at the river-side, well intrenched, when 
Sherman came up, and held him at bay, while the army crossed the 
deep and rapid river, leaving only a few troops to hold the bridges, 
which were covered by works. To attack these was Sherman's first 
object : and he soon forced Johnston to abandon them, destro}ing the 
bridges ; then Sherman, with pontoons, threw his army across, and 
was at last, after long and almost unintermittent marching and fight- 
ing, face to face with Johnston before Atlanta — the first great object 
of his campaign. The Confederates must now fight for it. 

But the Confederate Government was dissatisfied. It chafed under 
Johnston's cautious policy, by which he had been steadily forced back, 
till a United States army had planted the American flag once more 
in the heart of Georgia. There was a clamor for a bolder man, who 
would attack instead of waiting to be attacked. The Confederate 
Government repeated the United States blunder in the case of Pope. 
General Hood, a dashing, but conceited and boastful commander, 
superseded Johnston. 

The new General acted promptly. Sherman, on the 22d of July, 
crossed the Chattahoochee, to close around Atlanta, the enemy's skir- 
mishers contesting the ground. McPherson on the extreme left, was 
breaking up the railroad, Schofield on his right, had reached Decatur, 



HOOD RECOILED AND RETIRED. 9I3 

and Howard's divisions of Thomas' army were closing on Schofield, 
when Hood suddenly appeared in force, bursting upon Howard's, 
Hooker's, and Palmer's corps. It was a surprise, but the troops stood 
firm. Terrible was the struggle, but the Confederates at last recoiled, 
leaving Generals Stevens, Featherstone, Armistead, and Pettus, with 
five hundred more dead on the field, and wounded men to thrice that 
number. 

The next day, Sherman reconnoitring Hood's lines, found them 
deserted. He pushed on towards Atlanta, only to meet a much 
stronger line of works near the city. To attack these defenses, and 
Atlanta itself was the work now before him, and he set about it. 
Blair had carried a hill, and was planting batteries to sweep the city, 
when it was found that Hood had outwitted them. The strong 
lines were held b\' a mere handful, while Hood, with his main arm}', 
marching by night, had turned Sherman's flank, and was already with 
Hardee in the van, pouring down like a torrent on Sherman's left 
and rear. In a moment McPherson, one of the best generals lay 
dead, Smith's division of Blair's corps was crushed back, eight guns 
were lost ; but Blair at last found a strong ground and held it, able 
ere long to repulse the Confederates by striking their right. 

Again Hood renewed tlic attack, pushing through the Fifteenth 
Corps, till Schofield by concentrating his batteries, drove them back 
by his shells. Then at Sherman's command, the Fifteenth Corps 
swept forward to retrieve its honor, and recover its lost ground and 
guns, succeeding in recapturing all these but two. 

Hood recniled, and retired within his works ; having lost twenty- 
two hundred killed, his wounded and missing swelling his loss to at 
least eiofht thousand. 



9H SHERMAN SURROUNDS ATLANTA. 

Soon after a great cavalry expedition under General Stoneman, 
supported by McCook's and Rousseau's divisions, started from 
Sherman's camp. Its object was a grand one ; it was not only to 
break up railroad lines, but to capture Macon, and then push on to 
Andersonville, there to liberate the thousands of United States sol- 
diers held as prisoners with such severity if not cruelty. 

McCook captured a valuable train belonging to Hood's army, but 
on reaching Lovejoy's, the appointed rendezvous, could learn nothing 
of Stoneman. That cavalry general, disregarding his orders, made 
no attempt to join McCook, and on approaching Macon, was driven 
off by a hastily collected force. Panic-struck, he fled, and dividing 
his force, was at last captured with a thousand men by Iverson, who 
had not half that number. 

While this movement was in progress, Sherman was again at work 
near Atlanta. He transferred the Army of the Tennessee, under 
General Howard, from his left to his right, with a view to flank 
Hood out of Atlanta, but the Confederate general, on the 20th of 
July, struck out heavily from his left at Howard's lines. Logan's, 
the Fifteenth Corps, held the crest of a wooded ridge. He had im- 
proved every moment to throw up a rough breastwork of logs and 
rails. After a brisk cannonade, Hood's infantry, under Hardee and 
Lee, swept bravely up to Howard's right flank ; but a deadly fire 
swept their line ; back they were hurled, but attain and a'^ain thev 
reformed and advanced, till nearly seven hundred lay dead, and 
thousands fell wounded. Hood, having sacrificed several thousand 
men, withdrew once more within his fortifications at Atlanta. 

Closer and closer Sherman drew his lines, pushing them to East 
Point, shelling Atlanta, and menacing the railroads on which Atlant? 



ATLANTA EVACUATED HOOD FLED. 915 

depended for subsistence. Hood sought to avert the final blow by 
dispatching Wheeler with his cavalry to operate in Sherman's rear. 

The United States commander sent Kilpatrick at once to break up 
the West Point and Macon railroads, which was done pretty effect- 
ively. Then he abandoned the siege of Atlanta, and sending his sick 
and his wounded, with his surplus wagons, to the Chattahoochee, he 
put his whole army in motion, and before Hood penetrated his design, 
was behind Atlanta, thoroughly destroying the railroads on which 
Hood depended. That general now divided his army. Hardee, with 
one portion, advanced to Jonesborough. Here, on the 31st of August, 
he came upon Howard, with the Fifteenth, Sixteenth, and Seven- 
teenth Corps. Howard had covered his front with a breastwork, 
and calmly awaited attack. It was made with great courage and skill, 
but after two hours of terrible struggle Hardee retreated, leaving his 
dead and wounded. 

Sherman then came up, with Thomas and Schofield, who had been 
breaking up the roads, and by a vigorous attack carried the Confed- 
erate lines at Jonesborough, capturing General Govan, with his 
brigade and batteries. Hardee retreated in haste. Hood, cut off 
from supplies, with his army scattered and beaten, blew up his maga- 
zine and, destroying his stores, evacuated Atlanta and fled, on the 
1st of September. 

Sherman, pursuing Hardee, found him well intrenched near Love- 
joy's, between Walnut Creek and Flint River. To attack him would 
entail a useless waste of life. But before he took any other course 
rumors came that Hood had fled : then a courier dashed up from 
General Slocum, announcing that he himself was actually in Atlanta. 

Without making the attempt to pursue and capture any of the 



9^^ GENERAL CORSE HOLDS THE FORT. 

scattered divisions of Hogd's army, Sherman concentrated his whole 
force at Atlanta. He ordered the removal of all the remainino- inhab- 
itants, allowing them to go North or South as they preferred. This 
severe measure, which General Sherman deemed imperatively neces- 
sary, as he could not supply the inhabitants with food, and none would 
be sent to Atlanta while he occupied it, drew from the South the most 
unsparing condemnation. 

While Hood's cavalry was raiding into Tennessee, Hardee had 
effected a junction with Hood near Jonesborough, and the defeated 
army was reinforced, and visited by Jefferson Davis, who sought to 
rouse the enthusiasm of the soldiers, in the gloomy days that had be- 
fallen them. Hood then crossed the Chattahoochee, and tearing up 
the railroad, menaced Allatoona : but General Corse, a sturdy man, 
was already there with his brigade to defend the valuable stores in 
the place. General Sherman, on the first tidings of Hood's move- 
ment, dispatched General Thomas to Nashville, to check any Confed- 
erate movements in that State, and now himself started in pursuit of 
Hood. Before-he could reach Allatoona, French, one of Hood's gen- 
erals, had invested the place on the morning of the 5th of October, 
and opened a sharp cannonade, which echoed through the mountains, 
and reached Sherman's ears as he pressed eagerly on. From moun- 
tain peak to peak, fla^s carried to Corse the cheering news that aid was 
at hand. " He will hold out," cried Sherman ; " I know the man." 

When Corse refused to surrender, French assaulted with all his 
forces, rushing again and again to the very parapet ; but Corse, his 
face streaming with blood from a bullet-wound, hurled them back at 
every onset, his brave men thinning, till at last, French finding Co.x 
approaching, retreated, leaving his dead on the field. 



CONFEDERATE CRUISERS — -THE ALABAMA. 917 

Hood, anxious to draw Sherman out of Georgia, pushed northwest 
to Kingston, and then on to Resaca, followed steadily by Sherman, 
who in vain endeavored to bring him to action. But Hood no lonoer 
cared to fight, he eluded Sherman and made off. Then Sherman 
halted at Gaylesvill, Alabama, and sending most of his cavalry and 
the Fourth Corps to Thomas, prepared for a march towards the sea, 
gathering up all his garrisons, destroying all railroads, foundries, 
mills, etc. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

The Confederates on the Sea — The Oreto, Alabama, Florida — Capture of the Revenue Cutter 
Chesapeake — Aid given by England and Her Provinces — Capture of the Florida and Japan 
— Engagement between the Alabama and the Kearsarge — The Alabama Sunk — Farragut in 
Mobile Harbor Destroys the Confederate Fleet. 

We will leave the land operations for a time to follow the move- 
ments of the armed vessels on the seas. Confederate cruisers, or 
rather English war-vessels under the Confederate flao-, still ravacjed 
the American shipping on the ocean. The steamer Oreto, in spite 
of the efforts of Mr. Adams, the United States Minister in England, 
was allowed to escape from Liverpool, and though she put in at 
Nassau, the English authorities disregarded the remonstrances of the 
Americans, and she was allowed to depart. Under British colors, 
she ran into the harbor of Mobile, through the neglect of the block- 
ading squadron, and on the 27th of December, 1862, sallied out on 
her work of destruction, commanded by John N. Maffit. The Ala- 
bama, also fitted out in England, and commanded by Raphael 
Semmes, was also soon on the ocean. Both these vessels used the 
British as well as the Confederate flag, and at British ports were al- 



9^^ DESTRUCTION OF AMERICAN SHIPPING. 

ways received with the warmest welcome. Early in May, 1863, the 
Florida, one of these cruisers, with the brig Clarence, which she had 
captured and fitted out as a privateer, ran along the Atlantic coast, 
capturing and destroying vessels. Reed, the commander of the Clar- 
ence, transferred his flag first to the bark Tacony, and then to the 
schooner Archer, in which, on the 24th of June, he boldly entered 
the harbor of Portland. Maine, and at night cut out the steam reve- 
nue-cutter Cushing. This bold act roused the place. Volunteers at 
once manned two merchant steamers, and gave chase. The Cushing 
was soon overhauled, and her captors took to their boats, and blew 
her up. The boats were soon captured, and the Archer forced to 
strike, and Reed and his comrades lodged in prison. 

Another bold act in the same waters, was the capture of the Ches- 
apeake, a steamer pljing between New York and Portland. On the 
6th of December, 1863, sixteen of the passengers proclaimed them- 
selves Confederates, and seized the vessel, putting the captain in irons, 
and murdering an engineer. The captors then ran her into Sambro 
harbor. Nova Scotia, but two United States gunboats, the Ella and 
Anna, ran in and recaptured her. The Confederates were handed 
over to the British authorities at Halifax, but were at once rescued 
by a mob. the people of all the British provinces showing, throughout 
the war, the most bitter and hostile feeling to the United Spates. 
The judicial authorities, however, restored the Chesapeake to its 
owners. In 1864, three new British cruisers sailed from England, 
the Tallahassee, Olustee, and Chickamauga. The ships destroyed 
by these cruisers up to January, 1864, were estimated at more than 
thirteen millions of dollars, but the ravages after that time increased 
with fearful rapidity. 






THE KEARSARGE AND ALABAMA. 919 

The Florida, after a successful cruise, ran into Bahia, in the midst 
of a Brazilian fleet, and under the guns of a fort. The United States 
steamer Wachusett, Captain Collins, had just discovered her, and with- 
out any regard to her being in a neutral port or well protected, he ran 
in. compelled her to surrender, and making fast a hawser, towed her 
out to sea, unharmed by the guns which the fort opened upon him. 
Captain Collins resolved to rid the sea of the Florida, even if it cost 
him his commission. Though pursued by the Brazilian fleet, he reached 
Hampton Roads, Virginia, with his prize. On the complaint of the 
Brazilian Government, he was, however, suspended from command. 

The Japan, another vessel built at Greenock, sailed from English 
waters in April, 1863, and assuming the name of Georgia, destroyed 
many ships, and returned to England. Sailing out again as a British 
merchantman, she was captured by the Niagara, Captain Craven, in 
August. 

The most famous of these cruisers, the Alabama, Captain Semmes, 
continued her ravages till June, 1864, when the Kearsarge, Captain 
Winslow, overhauled her. The Alabama w-as in the harbor of Cher- 
bourg, France, and on the 15th of June steamed out to meet the 
Kearsarge, firing three broadsides from her eight guns, before Wins- 
low replied. The Ivearsarge endeavored to board, but Semmes, who 
evinced ereat cowardice, leavinof his coin and chronometers on shore, 
and having a British yacht, the Deerhound, at hand to succor him in 
need, steamed rapidly awa)^ The Kearsarge kept pace with her, fir- 
ing slowly and surely, while the Alabama's gunners, picked men from 
I British men-of-war, shot wildly. The chase became a circle. Seven 
times the Kearsarge steamed around, narrowing in each time, disa- 
bling one of Semmes' guns, blocking up the engine-room, and cutting 



920 FARRAGUT LASHED IN THE MAIN-TOP. 

up the hold and rigging. The Alabama, after half an hour's fight, 
tried to reach the French shore, but as she was sinking, hauled down 
her flag, but kept up firing, while Semmes and his men attempted to 
reach the Deerhound in their boats. He succeeded in doing so, with 
forty of his men, and escaped to England. His vessel soon went 
down. The Alabama had lost nine killed, t\venty-one wounded, and 
sixty-five taken by the Kearsarge, which had three men wounded, 
one, the gallant William Gowin, mortally. 

This victory caused the greatest exultation in the United States, the 
ships having been equally matched, and the triumph complete and un- 
deniable. 

The United States Navy was now so increased as to be able to close 
all the Southern ports e.xcept Wilmington, in North Carolina, and 
Mobile, in Alabama, where forts prevented a blockading squadron 
from approaching, so as to cut off blockade-runners. 

In August, 1864, Rear-Admiral Farragut prepared to force a pas- 
sage in spite of Forts Morgan, Powell, and Gaines, assisted by the 
ironclad Tennessee and other Confederate gunboats under Admiral 
Buchanan. Farragut had four ironclads, and fourteen wooden ves- 
sels. He took post in the main-top of his flag-ship, the Hartford, and 
pushed in, the Tecumseh leading and engaging Fort Morgan, but she 
soon caught on a torpedo, which exploded, sinking her almost at once. 
In spite of this, Farragut pushed on, silencing the fort, and coming to 
action with the Confederate fleet. The latter opened fire, and the Ten- 
nessee bore down on the Hartford, while the gunboats poured broad- 
sides into her. Farragut then cast off the Metacomet, which was 
lashed to the Hartford, and ordered her to engage the Selma. A stir- 
ring fight ensued between the two, but after an hour, Murphy, the cap- 



OUTWORKS OF MOBILE CAPTURED. g2I 

tain of the Selma, having lost his lieutenant and five men killed, aiid 
being wounded himself, as were many of his crew, struck. The other 
Confederate gunboats, the Morgan and Gaines, fled to the cover of 
the fort-guns, and the Morgan finally escaped to Mobile, while the 
Gaines was run ashore and burned. 

But the Tennessee resolved to make one bold attempt to retrieve 
the day. Under a full head of steam, she dashed at the Hartford. 
The United States fleet closed around her. The Monongahela struck 
her in the side, coming at full speed, but the blow, and the broadside, 
left her unharmed. Aofain the Mononfjahela drew off, and came on, 
crushing in her own beak ; then the Lackawanna ran crashing on, to 
recoil shattered by the shock. The Hartford tried to strike her, but 
slid along. Then the Chickasaw and Manhattan, monitors, attacked 
her at the stern, battering her considerably. The Tennessee had 
bravely stood all this tremendous pummelling, but her smoke-stack, 
her steering-chains, her port-shutters were all disabled; it was useless 
to prolong the contest, so seeing the Hartford, Lackawanna, and 
Ossipee all about to ram her. Admiral Buchanan, severely wounded' 
himself, surrendered. 

Farragut's loss had been heavy, but the Confederate fleet was gone. 
His complete victory cost him in killed and drowned, a hundred and 
sixty-five, while a hundred and seventy were wounded. 

The remaining forts were now to be reduced, but in the night, Fort 
Powell was evacuated and blown up ; and the next day Fort Gaines 
was so effectively shelled that it surrendered, though Colonel Ander- 
son was bitterly reproached by General Page, and generally in the 
South, for yielding. Yet Page himself held out only one day in Fort 
Morgan. With its fall the outworks of Mobile passed into the hands 



922 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN WAR TIMES. 

of the United States, the Confederacy losing a fleet, three forts, a 
hundred and four guns, and nearly fifteen hundred men as prisoners 
of war. 



CHAPTER XV. 

The Presidential Election-Movements for Peace-The Negotiations at Hampton Roads- 
t orrest s last Raid-Hood advances, and Thomas falls back to Nashville-Bloody Battle at 
Frankhn-The Battle at Nashville- Thomas Attacks Hood on the right and left and Car- 
ries his First Line-He Storms Overton's Hill-Hood Routed and Driven across the Tennes- 
see— Breckinridge Driven into North Carolina— Saltville Taken. 

The year 1864, amid all the din of war, was the period for a new 
Presidential election, and party feeling was strong. A Radical Con- 
vention held at Cleveland, in May, nominated General John C. Fre- 
mont for President, and General John Cochrane for Vice-President, 
but both these soon withdrew. The Union National Convention of 
the Republican party met at Baltimore in June, and renominated Abra- 
ham Lincoln for President, while for Vice-President they put forward 
Andrew Johnson of Tennessee, a man of much ability and experience. 
It was a curious circumstance, that a party arrayed against the South 
thus selected as its candidates natives of Southern States. 

The Democratic Convention did not meet till August when Gen- 
eral George B. McClellan was nominated as President, and Georo-e 
H. Pendleton of Ohio, as Vice-President. 

Both parties prepared for the election by stirring appeals, but the 
general voice was evidently in favor of the Republican party. When 
the election came off, the vote in the States which were not under 
Confederate control, and in which alone the election was held o-ave 
Mr. Lincoln two inillion two hundred thousand votes, and McClellan 



CONFERENCE AT FORTRESS MONROE. 923 

one million eight hundred thousand ; but he secured the votes of only 
three States, New Jersey, Delaware, and Kentucky, which gave 
twenty-one votes ; all the rest giving two hundred and twelve votes 
for Lincoln and Johnson. 

With their power thus confirmed, the Republican party, at the next 
Congress, passed, 31st January, 1865, a Constitutional Amendment 
abolishing and forever prohibiting slavery. 

This bloody war had desolated the country for four years, and at 
last efforts were made to negotiate and restore peace. President 
Lincoln showed an inclination to meet the Confederate leaders, and 
he went down to Fortress Monroe, where, on the 3d of February, a 
conference was held between him and Mr. Seward, the Secretary of 
State, and three Confederate delegates, Alexander H. Stephens, 
John A. Campbell and Robert M. T. Hunter. The restoration of 
the Union was the point on which Mr. Lincoln insisted absolutely, 
but to which the Southern delegates would not listen. They, un- 
fortunately, were led by. their feelings, and threw aside a favorable 
opportunity to secure terms such as nothing but a series of victories 
could win for them. 

Meanwhile, hostilities had gone on in the field. Forrest, in the 
latter part of September, with a cavalry force, invested Colonel Camp- 
bell, at Athens, and that officer pusillanimously surrendered, just as 
troops arrived for his relief, only to be captured also. The alarm was, 
however, given, and Rousseau on one side, Steedman on another, and 
Morgan on another, endeavored to cut off the daring cavalry leader 
of the South, but all in vain ; Forrest eluded them all, and, carrying- 
on his work of destruction to the last, crossed the Tennessee at 
^lainbridge, and made off. 



9^4 THE BATTLE AT FRAXKLIN. 

Hood, meanwhile, after advancing almost to Chattanooga, moved 
westward upon Decatur, an important point, where several railroad 
lines crossed. General Gordon Granger was posted here, and Hood 
pushed up his lines of rifle-pits, threatening an assault ; but Granger, 
in a sortie, flanked his rifle-pits on the left, and carried a battery^on 
his right. Nettled as he was at this. Hood durst not waste time, but 
pushed on, and crossed the Tennessee at Florence, while Forrest, 
again in the saddle, made a dash at Johnsonville, a place where im- 
portant stores had been accumulated. It held out bravely, but sa 
fierce was the attack that the besieged fired their gunboats and 
transports, the flames spreading to the town, destroying a million 
and a half dollars' worth of supplies, which Thomas greatly needed. 
Part of Taylor's army from Louisiana now joined Hood, and it was 
clear that Nashville was his object. Thomas pushed forward the 
Fourth Corps, General Stanley, and the Twenty-Third Corps, Gen- 
eral Schofield, to Pulaski, to check his march. These, numbering 
twenty thousand men, with eight thousand cavalry, constituted his 
army, while Hood was advancing on him with forty thousand infantry, 
and twelve thousand most effective cavalry, Sherman's march to the 
sea relieving him from all fear of attack from that general. 

As Hood advanced, Generals Schofield and Granger fell back on 
Nashville. On the 30th of November Schofield took up a position 
on the southern verge of Franklin, in a bend of Harpeth River, and 
throwing up a breastwork, prepared to fight in order to give his trains 
time to get well on towards Nashville. Hood soon came up with his 
van, but seeing the strong line, waited till all his force arrived. Then, 
with Stewart on his right, and Cheatham on his left, and Forrest's 
horse on either side, he prepared for a decisive charge. "Break 



HOOD CONFRONTS THOMAS AT NASHVILLF 925 

those lines," shouted the Confederate general to his men, "and there 
is nothing more to withstand you this side of the Ohio River ! " With 
a wild cheer they dashed on. Over Schofield's advanced works they 
poured like a torrent, hurling back in disorder two brigades which 
held them, and then breaking through Schofield's centre, captured 
Carter's Hill with eight guns, planting the Confederate flag on the 
breastworks. The day seemed lost, and men began to stream back 
in flight. But behind the hill stood Opdycke's brigade, and above the 
din rang out its commander's clarion voice : " First brigade, forward 
to the works ! " With the last rays of sunset gleaming on their 
levelled bayonets, they swept up to the scene of disaster, and in a 
few moments stood victorious at the old line, with not a Confederate 
in sight except dead, wounded, or prisoners ; recapturing the guns, 
and holding as trophies ten of Hood's battle-flags, so sudden and 
unexpected had been his charge. 

But Hood was not defeated. Till ten o'clock at night he sent his 
brave men into action, now on Schofield's right, then on the flank ; 
but every assault was repulsed, and his veterans recoiled with steadily 
decreasing lines. At midnight the noise of battle died away. Scho- 
field's trains were well on their way, so he drew out his men, and 
marching steadily on, by noon drew up within Thomas' lines of 
works defending Nashville. 

Hood lost in this sanguinary battle Cleburne, one of the best 
Southern generals, w.ith four brigadiers killed, his death-roll running 
up to seventeen hundred, his total loss to more than six thousand, 
while Schofield's loss in killed was less than two hundred. 

Hood at last confronted Thomas at Nashville, but the odds were 
against him. His army of forty thousand was faced by Thomas' force. 



926 UNION VICTORY AT NASHVILLE. 

which every day strengthened. The passing steamboats landed A. 
J. Smith's command from Missouri ; the railroad trains rattled up 
with Steedman's force.(rom Chattanooga. On the 14th of December 
Thomas began the battle, Steedman, on his left, .attacking Hood, to 
mislead him, while in the morning. Smith, with Wilson's cavalry, 
struck Chalmers in flank, and after a severe figrht, routed him, takino- 
Hood's whole line of defense, and forcing him back to a new line. 
But Hood was not easily beaten ; so that Thomas, pushing on again, 
confronted him, Smith in the centre ; Wood and Steedman, on the 
left ; Schofield and Wilson on the right. Wilson's cavalry soon 
reached Hood's rear, while Wood and Steedman assailed Overton's 
hill, but as they struggled over abatis, were mowed down with volleys 
of musketry, canister, and grape. Smith and Schofield, more success- 
ful, carried the works before them ; and when their loud huzzas rang 
out, and Wilson was known to be in the rear. Wood and Steedman 
again charged, and in spite of the murderous fire, swept all before 
them. Hood's army fled broken and disorganized to Franklin, Chal- 
mers' cavalry holding the road for a time, till Spalding carried it with 
the 1 2th Tennessee horse. Then the pursuit was renewed : eighteen 
hundred wounded were taken, and two hundred United States sol- 
diers were recaptured at Franklin. The pursuit was kept up for 
several days, till heavy rains made the roads impracticable, and the 
rivers too deep for an army to cross without pontoons. 

The victory was complete. Huntsville, Athens, and Decatur were 
again reoccupied. 

Stoneman then, in a brilliant campaign, drove Breckinridge into 
North Carolina, and captured Saltville, destroying the salt-works, 
locomotives, and rolling stock. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Sherman's March to the Sea — Mode of Proceeding — Fights on the way— Before Savannah — 
Hazen storms Fort McAUister— Sherman meets Foster and Dahlgren — Savannah evacuated 
— Sherman's Christmas-present to President Lincoln — Operations to co-operate with him — 
He crosses the Edisto— Actions at Branchville, Orangeburg, and on the Congaree — Co- 
kimbia Surrendered — The Conflagration — Hardee evacuates Charleston — The Stars and 
Stripes raised at Sumter — Sherman enters North Carolina — Fayetteville — Actions at Averys- 
borough and Benton ville — Goldsborough — The Expeditions against Fort Fisher — It is car- 
ried at last — Fall of Wilmington — Hoke's Repulse — Wilson's brilliant cavalry Campaign in 
Alabama — Canby reduces Mobile. 

We will now return to General Sherman. When he left Thomas to 
cope with Hood, he prepared to march to the sea with the Four- 
teenth, Fifteenth, Seventeenth, and Twentieth Corps, organized in 
two grand divisions under Generals Howard and Slocum, with cavalry 
on the flanks. General Sherman marching and camping alternately 
with each wing, which moved at some miles distance apart. They 
were to live on the country, and did so, sending out foraging parties 
which swept the State like a swarm of locusts. On the march, they 
demolished railroads, bridges, and all military stores and supplies 
that were not needed for their own use. 

Milledgeville was entered without opposition on the 23d of No- 
vember, 1864. Pushing on from this, the first opposition of any mo- 
ment was encountered by General Kilpatrick, who, while attempting 
to reach and liberate the United States prisoners held at Milden, was 
attacked by General Wheeler, and compelled to'dismount, and throw 

up a breastwork for his defense. 

927 



^"^ SAVA.WAH ABA.NDUXKU BV HARDEE. 

Sherman crossed the Ogeechee on the last day of November, and 
his two columns, sweeping on their relentless course of desolation, 
brushing aside all the small parties of the enemy, at last united before 
Savannah. The Confederates had been in uncertainty at what pre- 

cise point he was striking, and he kept them in doubt by his course, 

Kilpatrick engaging Wheeler at Briar Creek, on the 4th of December.' 

Six days after, Savannah was completely beleaguered, and Hazen 

was in front of Fort McAllister, and Sherman and Howard opened 

communication with Admiral Dahlgren and General Foster on the 

fleet outside. 

Then Hazen attacked the fort. Over torpedoes and abatis, his 
gallant fellows rushed, the fiery volleys never checking their lines as 
they poured over the parapet, and took the fort. The garrison sur- 
rendered, with twenty-two guns and ammunition. 

When Sherman saw the Stars and Stripes floating over McAllister, 
he went down and congratulated Hazen, and the next day met Dahl- 
gren on board the Harvest Moon. 

Heavy guns were then brought up to bombard Savannah. Gen- 
eral Sherman formally summoned Hardee, the Confederate general 
i.i the city, to-surrender ,• but. he refused. The siege-guns were then 
placed in position, but it was soon discovered that on the dark and 
windy night of the 20th, Hardee crossed the Savannah on a pontoon 
bridge, and retreated towards Charleston, so silently as to escape the 
notice of Sherman's pickets. He had destroyed his iron-clads and 
other vessels, with much ammunition, but left his cannon and cotton 
intact. 

Sherman had thus swept across the South, and taken one of the 
.great cities and ports with no loss but that of sixty-three men killed. 



SHERMAN COMES ON RELENTLESS AS FATE. 929 

and two hundred and forty-five wounded. He telegraphed to the 
President : 

" I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah, 
■with one hundred and fifty heavy guns, and plenty of ammunition, 
and also about twenty-five thousand bales of cotton." 

During his march several movements had been made to distract 
the enemy's attention. Two from Vicksburg, sent out by General 
Dana, and a third under Grierson, from Memphis. Various engage- 
ments occurred, the hardest fight being at Egypt, on the 27th of 
December. Foster on the sea-coast had, though suffering from an 
unhealed wound, kept the Confederates on the alert, by movements 
against the Charleston and Savannah railroads. 

After remaining a month at Savannah, to refit his army, Sherman 
resumed his march. On the ist of February, his whole army moved 
northward in two columns. South Carolina felt that her hour of des- 
olation was come, but she would not submit tamely. Governor 
Magrath called out as militia every able-bodied white man not already 
in service ; the slaves, who had not yet had a chance to escape to 
Sherman's army, as thousands had done in Georgia, were driven in 
gangs to work at felling trees to impede the roads. But Sherman 
came on relentless as fate, his men marching knee-deep through 
swamps, routing the first opposition at the Salkehatchie, and driving 
the Confederates beyond the Edisto. By menacing Augusta and 
Charleston, he kept the Confederate forces divided, and went on 
tearing up the railroads. 

Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, was reached on the 17th, 
and as Wade Hampton fled it surrendered without a blow, but after 
Sherniiin's army passed through, much of the city was reduced to 



930 UNION FLAG AGAIN ON FORT SUMTER. 

ashes. Who fired it is one of the disputed points of history. Sher- 
man says that the Confederates under Hampton fired their cotton, 
which set fire to the houses. The Confederates and their alHes, the 
British Government and people, charge that Sherman's army set it 
on fire. It was a time of terror and humiliation for the haught>- 
capital of South Carolina. An enemy holding the city, flames on all 
sides, the air like a furnace, the streets impassable, frightened men, 
women, and children running in all directions. 

The fate of Charleston was now decided. General Hardee pre- 
pared to evacuate the cradle of Secession. Every building, ware- 
house, or shed stored witn cotton, was fired by a guard detailed for 
the purpose. The fire thus kindled proved nearly as disastrous to 
Charleston as Wade Hampton's did to Columbia. The powder in 
the northwestern railroad depot caught and exploded, killing no less 
than two hundred people. From this paint the fire spread rapidly, 
laying several squares in ashes. 

Sherman entered the fire-scourged city on the i8th, and the United 
States flag was at last raised again on the ruins of Fort Sumter. 

Sherman's march through Georgia, had been one of devastation ; 
but through sparsely settled South Carolina, it was even more destruc- 
tive. It has been well said that no other State or section has, in 
modern times, been so thoroughly devastated in a single campaign, 
signalized by as little fighting as was South Carolina by that march. 
Fayetteville, North Carolina, was Sherman's next point. On the 
way, Kilpatrick, after deluding and battling Wheeler, was suddenly 
attacked by Wade Hampton, surprised and routed, with the loss of his 
guns. He rallied, and charging on foot, recovered his guns, and 
turned them on the late victors, who in turn fled in all haste as 



JOHNSTON RETREATS ON RALEIGH. 931 

Mitchell came up to Kilpatrick's relief with a brigade of in- 
fantry. 

At Fayetteville, Sherman destroyed the United States arsenal 
with its machinery. He rested here three days to reorganize his 
army. The Confederates were now gathering in force around him. 
Hardee, with the troops from Savannah and Charleston ; Beaure- 
gard from Columbia, Cheatham from Tennessee, Wheeler and 
Hampton's cavalry, with militia from North Carolina, now formed 
an army of forty thousand men, with the able General Joseph Johns- 
ton at its head. Sherman pushed on to Averysborough, where a 
battle was fought on the loth of March, but Hardee was defeated 
with loss, the Twentieth Corps, under Williams, and the Fourteenth, 
winning laurels by their gallantry. 

On the 1 8th of March, Slocum, driving in Debbrell's Confederate 
cavalry near Goldsboro', was assailed by Johnston's whole army. 
Carlin's brigades were hurled back with the loss of three guns. 
; Slocum saw his peril, and throwing up such intrenchments as he 
could, stood on the defensive in a well-formed line, with Kilpatrick 
on his left. Then Johnston charged furiously ; six times in succes- 
sion his men rushed on to the assault, but the fire of artillery and 
musketry mowed them down. In vain did Johnston strain every 
nerve to crush Slocum before relief could reach him. Finding this 
impossible, he drew off, and intrenched in a strong position, a sort of 
triano-le facing- Slocum on one side, and on the other Howard, who 
had come up to Slocum's relief. Sherman, meanwhile, sent Schofield 
to gain Johnston's rear and cut off his retreat, but Johnston was not 
to be caught. He decamped at night, and retreated on Raleigh. 
Sherman then pushed on to Goldsboro', whence, leaving Generals 



932 GENERAL TERRY AX FORT FISHER. 

Terry and Schofield in command, he ran on to City Point, to confer 
with President Lincoln, and Generals Grant and Meade. He had 
fought his way through the very heart of the Confederacy, taken sev- 
eral of the most Important Southern cities, and was now with a victo- 
rious army, ready to co-operate in any plan of the Commander-in- 
chief. His stay was brief, and on the 30th of March he was again at 
the head of his army in North Carolina. Some other operations had 
meanwhile been undertaken in North Carolina, from Grant's army. 
To seize Wilmington, and cut off the supplies received by the Confed- 
erates through that port was an important object. To attain it, an ex- 
pedition under General Butler proceeded on Commodore Porter's 
fleet in December. After an abortive attempt to blow up Fort Fisher, 
a Confederate work commandino; the main channel at the New Inlet 
leading up to Wilmington, Porter bombarded it with the ironsides 
Canonicus, Mahopac, Minnesota, and other large ships. In seventy- 
five minutes he silenced its guns, set it on fire in several places, and 
blew up two magazines. The fire was renewed on the 27th of De- 
cember, and Butler then landed to assault the fort, but finding it too 
strong, abandoned the attempt. General Terry was next sent down 
by Grant with fresh troops. Again the ironclads rained their missiles 
on the fort; then, on the 14th of January, Terry landed. The next 
day, a terrible fire from the fleet drove the Confederates to their 
bomb-proofs, and then two thousand sailors and marines, who had 
gradually worked their way up to within two hundred yards of the 
fort, rushed up by the flank along the beach. But as the fleet's fire 
ceased, the Confederates sprang to their works, the sailors were 
swept down by canister, grape, and musketry; though some gained 
the parapet, they were repulsed. On the left Curtis' brigade drove 



WILMINGTON WAS WON HOKE S RETREAT. 933 

the Confederates from the heavy palisading, and while most were 
fighting the sailors, gained part of the works. Reinforcements 
came up, and the fight went on, the Confederates, animated by 
their commander, Major-General Whiting, resisting with stubborn 
courage. At last they were driven out of the fort, and attempted to 
escape, but were forced to surrender, their commander receiving his 
death-wound before he yielded. Terry took over two thousand pris- 
oners, and one hundred and sixty guns, losing one hundred and ten 
killed, and five hundred and thirty-six wounded in the desperate as- 
sault. 

Fort Caswell, with other works, was then abandoned and destroyed 

by the Confederates. 

General Schofield, with his Twenty-third Corps, was then ordered 
from the West by Grant, and sent down to Terry, who at once ad- 
vanced on Fort Anderson, the chief remaining work between him and 
Wilmino-ton. Hoke, the Confederate general, hastily abandoned it, 
and fell back to Town Creek, where he intrenched ; General Cox, who 
had been thrown over the Cape Fear, pursued and routed him, then 
pushed on towards Wilmington. General Terry, on the peninsula, 
had been unable to carry Hoke's works before him, but Wilmington 
was won. Hoke retreated, destroying two privateers, steamers, cotton 
and stores to a large amount. He was soon pursued, but turning 
suddenly on Colonel Upham, captured seven hu.ndred of his men, 
though in attempting to attack Schofield. he found it too dangerous, 
the attempt resulting in very heavy loss. Hoke then resumed his 
retreat, and soon reached Johnston's army, while .Schofield entered 
Goldsboro', just before Sherman reached it, as we have already seen.. 

A <-reat and brilliant cavalry campaign in the West under General 



934 CONFEDERATES BURN COTTON AT MONTGOMERY. 

Wilson, had captured important Confederate towns, and at last routed 
Forrest. 

Wilson crossed the Tennessee on the 18th of March, with a splendid 
body of light armed and equipped cavalry, numbering in all fifteen 
thousand men. Selma, in Alabama, was the first point aimed at, and 
Forrest was found strongly posted on Boyle's Creek, with about five 
thousand men. Wilson attacked with Long's and Upton's divisions. 
Long, on the right, charged and carried the guns before him, while 
Upton, on the Maplesville road, made short work there. In a brief 
struggle, the hitherto victorious cavalry officer of the Confederacy 
was driven from the field with heavy loss in guns and men, and did not 
halt till he was twenty miles from the field. He made a stand at 
Selma, by order of General Dick Taylor, but Wilson pursued him 
rapidly, and on the 3d of April, attacked him in his new lines. Lou-^ 
fell at the head of his men, but they swept on over the ConfederatI 
intrenchments, driving Forrest's men pell-mell into Selma. There 
they rallied again with stubborn energy, but Upton charged in his 
turn, and Selma was taken, with thirty-two guns, and twenty-seven 
hundred prisoners. The butcher Forrest, with about three thousand 
escaped by night, after burning twenty-five thousand bales of cotton 
Wilson .sacked the town, destroyed the arsenal, factories, foundries, 
and all the cotton that was left. 

After repairing bridges, Wilson pushed on, and early in the morning 
of the 12th of April entered Montgomery, Alabama, where the Cont 
federate Government was first organized. It was ablaze with burn- 
ing cotton, no less than a hundred and twenty-five thousand bales hav- 
ing been burned there by Wirt Adams, the late Confederate com- 
mandant. At Columbus, Georgia, which he reached on the 16th, Wilson 



" REMEMBER FORT PILLOW. 935 

had a sharp figlit, but linally took the place, destroying the Confeder- 
ate ram Jackson, which lay there, locomotives, cars, and thousands of 
bales of cotton. 

The same day, a detachment under Lagrange took Fort Tyler, at 
West Point, killing General Tyler, the commander, and capturing his 
whole force. 

Wilson kept on his career till April 21st, when he was informed by 
General Howell Cobb that the war was virtually ended. 

Farther south, General Canby had prepared to reduce Mobile, and 
on the 28th of March, Spanish fort was invested by the Sixteenth and 
Thirteenth Corps, the fleet joining in the siege, although two vessels, 
the Metacomet and Octorara, were blown up by torpedoes. After a 
tremendous bombardment, the guns of the fort were silenced on the 
8th of April, at midnight, and at two o'clock in the morning the 
American troops entered unopposed, most of the garrison escaping, 
although six hundred and fifty-two, with thirty heavy guns, fell into 
the hands of the United States forces. Forts Tracy and Huger were 
then attacked, but they were speedily evacuated. But Generals 
Thomas and Cockrill held Blakely, with three thousand Confederates 
and abundant artillery. General Garrard led the assault on their 
works, under a fearful storm of shell and shrapnel, and carried them, 
while Rinnekiu's and Gilbert's brigades, turning the Confederate left, 
captured Thomas and a thousand men, who were endeavoring to es- 
cape. On the right, colored troops shouting " Remember Fort Pil- 
low ! " swept over the Confederate works. 

Fort Blakely was won, but at the cost of a thousand killed and 
wounded. The Confederates lost five hundred killed and wounded, 
three thousand prisoners, thirty-two cannon, four thousand muskets. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

The Close of the War— Grant begins operations— The Confederate Rams in the James Sher- 
idan in the Valley again— He crushes Early— Wheels around Lee's Lines and reports to 
Grant- Lee's bold Dash — He takes Fort Steedman— Grant's Advance on the Confederate Lines 

— Sheridan at Five-Forks — General Assault by Grant — Forts Gregg and Alexander carried 

Lee defeated, and A. P. Hill killed— He telegraphs to Davis that Richmond must be evac- 
uated — The Confederate Capital in Confusion and Flames — Weitzel enters it — Lee's Retreat 
— Sheridan heads him ofiE — Grant proposes a Surrender — Lee hesitates — Appomattox Court 
House — Surrender of Lee's Army of Virginia. 

The great Civil War was now verging to its close. Even those in 
Europe who had encouraged the Confederates, in the hope of seeing 
the great Republic broken up and ruined, began to see that the United 
States Government would ultimately reduce the revolting States. 
Every great port from Norfolk to New Orleans was once more 
under the flag of the United States. The only large armies of the 
Confederates were now in Virginia and North Carolina, but they were 
confronted by armies superior in numbers, arms, and material of war. 

In Virginia, the first operation in 1865 was the descent of the Con- 
federate iron-clads, Virginia, Fredericksburg, and Vicksburg, with 
five wooden steamers, and three torpedo-boats. Breaking General 
Butler's chain at Dutch Gap, on the 25th of January, the Fredericks- 
burg passed through, the Drewry stuck fast and was soon abandoned, 
and then blown up by a shell from the land batteries. The Virginia 
was pierced by a bolt which killed several, and after a battle which 
lasted all day, the Confederate fleet retired to Richmond. 

On the 5tli of February Grant opened his campaign, endeavoring 



FINAL GREAT STRUGGLE COMMENCED. gj 



J / 



to turn Lee's right at Diinviddie Court House, with the Fifth Corps, 
while the Second charged in front. A sharp action ensued, in which 
Lee, endeavoring to take Grant's column on the left and rear, drove 
back Gregg's cavalry, as well as Ayres'and Crawford's divisions, with 
a loss of two thousand men. Grant, however, had gained ground, 
extending his left to Hatcher's Run. 

Three weeks later, Sheridan, in the Shenandoah Valley, dashed out 
of Winchester, with ten thousand mounted men, and, galloping down, 
surprised Early at Waynesborongh, capturing sixteen hundred out of 
twenty-five hundred men, with cannon, arms, and wagons. Then 
sending back his prisoners under guard, he pushed on towards the 
James, destroying military stores and depots. Unable to reach Grant's 
left, he swept uronnd Lee's army, destroying bridges, railroads, and 
canals, till he readied White House, and on the 27th of March re- 
ported to Grant in front of Petersburg. 

There the great struggle had already commenced. Two days before, 
at dawn, the Confederates, under Gordon, had dashed like a lightning 
flash upon Fort Steedman, the very centre of Grant's line. The sur- 
prise was complete : nearly the whole garrison were taken on the spot : 
the adjacent batteries were abandoned, and the guns were all turned 
on Grant's astonished troops. 

But the Confederate forces did not press up to support Gordon, the 
decisive moment was lost, when Grant's line might have been cut 
through. The United States troops rallying, so encircled Gordon as 
to cut off his escape, and two thousand were taken. Then Meade, 
without loss of time, pushed the Sixth and Second Corps forward, 
carrying Lee's intrenched picket-line, which had been left slightly 
guarded. 



938 VICTORY AT FIVE FORKS. 

On the 27th, Grant pushed forward Warren's corps (the Second), 
and Humphrey's (the Fifth), across Hatcher's Run, to strike Lee's right, 
while Sheridan was still further to the left with his cavalrv. Throuo-h 
rain and mud they pushed on, Warren fighting steadily, till they 
found the enemy strongly posted at Five Forks. Lee, alive to his 
danger, at ten the next morning dealt Warren a staggering blow, 
striking Ayres' division heavily in the flank and rear, routing it and 
Crawford's. Griffin's division saved the corps, and with Humphrey's 
corps finally repulsed Lee's charges, though they could not carry his 
position. Sheridan, meanwhile, had made another dash at Five Forks, 
which he carried, but Lee struck out, driving Devin and Davies l);ick, 
and cutting them off from Sheridan, who finally centred his command 
at Dinwiddle. 

Sheridan, the next day, prepared to carry Five Forks, and ordered 
Warren to assail the enemy's left in full force. This was done so 
slowly, that he impetuously relieved Warren from duty, putting Grif- 
fin in command of the corps. 

The Confederates, Pickett's and Bushrod Johnson's divisions, were 
unable to resist the concentrated attack. Ayres and Griffin carried 
their works, capturing two thousand five hundred prisoners. Crawford 
had taken them in the rear, cutting off their retreat, so that Ayres 
and Griffin soon drove all the remaining Confederates in disor- 
derly flight westward, and before night Sheridan had carried the 
long coveted position completely, having taken in all five thousand 
prisoners, his own loss all told not exceeding a thousand. 

Lee's right wing was demolished. Grant then opened a furious can- 
nonade on Lee's works before Petersburg, and next morning made a 
grand attack. Parke, with his Ninth Corps, carried the outer works 



"RICIIMOXn MUST BE EVACUATED." 939 

before him ; Wright, with the Sixth, drove everything before him on 
the left, sweeping down the rear of the intreuchraents, Ord's corps 
forced Lee's position at Hatcher's Run, and finally carried Forts 
Gregg and Alexander, but not till Harris's Mississippi brigade, holding 
the former, was reduced to thirly men. 

Humphrey and Sheridan had not been idle on the left. It was a 
bitter day for Lee. Longstreet came up from Richmond ; A. P. Hdl, 
on the left, endeavoring to regain the lost works on his left, was killed. 
Lee saw that he could not hold Petersburg much longer. Ten thou- 
sand of his gallant men had fallen, with one of his ablest generals, in 
the vain attempt to maiulaiuliis lines. At half past ten on that eventful 
day (Sunday, April 2d), he telegraphed to President Davis, at Rich- 
mond : " My lines arc broken in three places : Richmond must be 
evacuated this evening." It reached him while in church. He at once 
left ihe temple of religion. The news spread, and the city which had 
for nearly four years been the capital of the Confederacy became a 
scene of the wildest confusion. Government officials were removing 
archives, treasury, stores, arms ; citizens were endeavoring to fly with 
property ; bands of lawless desperadoes roved about plundering ; then 
Ewell set'fire to the great tobacco warehouses ; the rams were blown 
up, all the shipping at the docks scuttled or fired ; as well as the 
bridges. With flames spreading on all sides, the city soon became 
one vast conflagration, as tongues of flame leaped from street to street 
Before the elaborate defenses of Richmond lay only Weitzel, w.th 
two divisions, unaware of what was going on so near, till Lieutenant 
de Peyster, from the signal tower, reported that the city seemed on 
fire. At four in the morning, a negro drove in in a buggy, announcing 
that Richmond had been abandoned. 



940 PETERSBURG ABANDON'ED — GREAT REJOICING. 

Only at daylight did liie irouijs dare to advance through the intri- 
cate works, thick sel with tin-pedoes. Then Weitzel and his staff, at 
six o'clock in the morning, rode into the suburbs of the city, amid the 
roar of exploding sLiells and falling walls, welcomed by the shouts of 
negroes. The flag of the United States was at once raised over the 
Capitol, the city was placed under military rule, and every effort 
made to check the conflagration, but it burned out the very heart of 
Virginia's capital ; warehouses, post-offices, banks, in fact one-third of 
the city, before it was extinguished. 

Petersburg also was evacuated, and as the telegraph bore the news 
throughout the North, the day became a holiday of public rejoicing ; 
bells rang out, and cannon thundered forth the exultation of the 
people. 

The Confederate Government was now a fugitive affair, making its 
first temporary stand at Danville. 

Lee's army, now reduced to some thirty-five thousand men, was in a 
critical position. His progress southward was prevented by Grant's 
extension of his line. He pushed on to Amelia Court House, hoping 
to receive supplies from Lynchburg and Danville, but Sheridan inter- 
cepted them. Lee then retreated west, pursued by Meade and 
Sheridan. In vain he turned from time to time to fight. They cut 
off wagons and guns : Swell's corps was cut off from Lee, surrounded, 
and taken. General Read, with a small force, struck the head of Lee's 
line, and endeavored to check its progress : he was killed in the des- 
perate rush of the Confederates, but though Lee managed to cross the 
Appomattox, at Farmville, his men were fainting and falling by the 
way, his horses dying of hunger. 

Daring the night of the 6th the general ofBcers of the fleeing army 



SURRENDER AT APPOMATTOX COURTHOUSE. 94^ 

met around a bivouac fire in council. A capitulation was decided 
Hpon, and they informed General Lee of their conviction. 

The next day came a letter from General Grant, asking Lee to sur- 
render, and avoid a hopeless struggle and useless effusion of blood. 
Lee, after repulsing an attack made by Humphreys, replied, asking the 
terms. Grant stated but one condition ; that the oflBcers and men sur- 
rendered should be disqualified from taking up arras again against the 
government of the United States, until properly exchanged. 

Again the retreat and pursuit went on. The army of Virginia 
made its last charge on the 9th, to repel Sheridan, but when behind it 
were seen the serried lines of Grant's main army, the white flag was 
raised. Hostilities were suspended. General Grant and General 
Lee met immediately at the dwelling house of W. McLean, near the 
Appomattox Court House. Tlie interview was not prolonged. Com- 
missioners were appointed. General Grant agreed to parole the offi- 
cers and men : the arms, artillery, and public property to be packed, 
and stacked, and turned over to his officers. Then each officer and 
man was to be allowed to return home. Twenty-seven thousand men, 
the remnant of Lee's array of a hundred and fifty thousand, were includ- 
ed in this capitulation, but probably not more than ten thousand had 
retained their arms in the flight. 

The parting of Lee with the officers and soldiers who had so bravely 
and devotedly fought under his orders was a sad one. Receiving ra- 
tions and transportation, the almost starving soldiers of the Lost 
Cause started for their homes ; the army which had for four years 
menaced Washington, and held the vast power of the United States 
at bay, melted away, and General Lee, with the reputation of one 
of the greatest generals of his day, retired to private life. 



CHAPTER XYIII. 

Abraham Lincoln's Second Term — His Inauguration — He receives the News of the Fall of 
Richmond — He visits that City — His last Proclamations — He is assassinated in Ford's 
Theatre, Washington, by John Wilkes Booth — Simultaneous Attempts to assassinate Mr. 
Seward, the Secretary of State — Death of Mr. Lincoln — Effect throughout the Country — 
Its terribly disastrous Consequences to the South. 

On the 4th of March, 1865, Mr. Lincoln was for the second time in- 
augurated as President of the United States. His address was brief, 
solemn, and full of religious thought. Of the war, which might be re- 
garded as closed, he said: "Both parties deprecated war ; but one of 
them would make war, rather than let the nation survive ; and the 
other would accept war, rather than let it perish — and the war came. 
Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration 
which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of 
the conflict, Slaveiy, might cease with or even before the conflict itself 
should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less 
fundamental and astounding." 

He made no change in his cabinet, and in a short time after his in- 
auguration proceeded to General Grant's headquarters, everything 
announcing that the final struggle was at hand, and no doubt being 
entertained of the result. 

From the 24th of March, till Richmond fell, he was almost con- 
stantly at City Point, and on the 4th of April, he accompanied Ad- 
miral Porter in a guuboat up to Rockett's, a mile below Richmond. 



Till-: A.S.SA.SS1.N ITRliS THE KATAl. SHOT. 945 

There he landed, and attended by the Admiral and a few sailors, he 
walked up to the house recently occupied by Jefferson Davis. The 
soldiers, recognizing him, cheered, the negroes caught up the cry. 
After holding a levee, or reception, he drove through the city, and re- 
turned to City Point. Two days after, he paid another visit, aiid met 
some of the adherents of the late Confederate Government. To his 
moderation and magnanimity, the South now looked for generous 
treatment in its fallen fortunes. President Lincoln returned to Wash- 
ington, to prepare for the great work now before him, and on the 
12th of April issued two proclan)atious, one aimed at those foreign 
governments which had done so much to aid the Confederates. In this 
proclamation, lie demanded for the sliiiis of the United States in for- 
eign ports, on penalty of retaliation, those privileges and immunities 
which had for the last four years been denied them. 

The next day an order from the War Department put a stop to all 
drafting and recruiting, and all further purchases of arms and army 

')Upplies. 

On the evening of the 14th of April the President, with his wife 
and two others, drove to Ford's theatre, in Washington. While seated 
in a private box, at about half-past ten, and looking towards the stage, 
he was shot in the back of the head. The assassin, John Wilkes 
Booth, an actor, had presented a card to the President's messenger. 
^nd after standing for a few moments entered the vestibule of the box, 
and closed the door, securing it from the inside. Then with a pistol 
in one hand and dagger in the other, he entered the box, and placing 
his pistol close to the back of the President's head fired the fatal 

shot. 
The report startled the house, and Major Rathbone, who was in the 



^-^-^ TKAGIC DKATII OF AliKAllAM LIXCOLX. 

box, grappled with him, but Booth burst from him, and shoufng " Sic 
semper tjrannis!" sprang over the front of the box to tne stage, 
where he fell, his foot catching in the American flag. Though his an^ 
kle was sprained, he rushed across the stage, and out at the rear, to 
a horse in waiting for him. Mounting it in haste, he rode otf in the 
gloom. 

Meanwhile, men gathered around the fallen President. The ball 
had crossed the brain, and lodged back of the right eye. Mr. Lincoln 
fell forward when shot, his eyes closed, but he uttered no crv. The 
surgeons, who were at once summoned, found him insensible, and saw 
that It was beyond the power of ma.i to save his life. The dyinc. 
President was then borne from the theatre across the street to thi 
house of a Mr. Peterson, and there laid on a bod. His breathin. was 
regular, and he did not seem to struggle or to suffer pain. His" wife 
and son, with physicians, and a clergyman, surrounded hin. but no 
s.gu of recognition, or even of consciousness was given by the dyin. 



man. 



At twenty-two minutes past seven, on the 15th dav of April 1865 
Abraham Lincoln expired. His remains were then removed to the 
President's house, and while the terrible tidings flashed on the tele- 
graph wire to all parts of the country, preparations were begun for 
his obsequies. 

Two Presidents had already died in office, but the long war that 
marked his administration, and the murderous circumstances attend- 
mg the death of Mr. Lincoln, made it deeply impressive. A general 
gloom pervaded the whole country. Flags hung at half-mast, public 
buildings and private residences were draped in black. 

His body was embalmed, and in .solemn funeral borne to the Capi- 



A TERKIULE LOSS TO THE SOUTH. 



945 



tol. where it lay in state till the 21st, when it was removed to be cur- 
ried to Springfield, Illinois, the place of his abode when raised to the 
presidential chair. At Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and other 
cities on the way, it was received by a processi^a, and escorted on with 
funeral pomp. He was laid in his final resting-place on the 3d of 
May. 

His early life had been rough, and not favored with the education 
and culture that fall to the lot of so many, but his vigorous mind had 
raised him to eminence. As President in a most difficult period, he 
had evinced no animosity or rancor ; he was opposed to extreme 
measures, and yielded reluctantly to the force of circumstances in 
many of the acts which he finally adopted. For the South he enter- 
tained the most kindly feelings, and they soon learned how terrible 
a loss they bad sustained in his mad assassinatioa. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

ANDREW JOHNSON, SEVENTEENTH PEESIDENT, 18G5-1869. 

-kcich of President Johnson — His Inauguration — Investigation into Lincoln's Assassination 
— Pursuit of Booth, liis Cajiture and Death — The Attempt to Assassinate Mr. Seward — A 
Conspiracy — Arrest of several — The hloody Court-martial — Hanging — The Conclusion of 
the War — The Surrender of .Johu.ston— Other Confederate Bodies — Jefferson Davis attempt* 
to escape — Pursued and captured — Imprisoned, but never tried — The Confederate Flag o* 
the Ocean — The last of the British-built Ships— President Johnson and Congress — Their 
different Views as to the Treatment of the South — A Series of Collisions — Bitter Feeling 
»f the Republican Party against the Man whom they had raised to Office — President John- 
son's Vetoes — Congress disregards them — Assumes to be the Government — One House of 
Congress impeaches the President, whom they had treated with every Dishonor — The other 
tries him — The great Impeachment Trial — Acquittal of the President — The South ruined 
Dy oppressive Reconstruction Acts — Fenian Affairs — Attempts to invade Canada — Prompt 
Action of Government — The Atlantic Cable — Close of Johnson's Administration. 

By the provisions of the Constitution of the United States. Andrew 
7ohnson, who had so recently been inaugurated as Yice-President, 
jecame President of the United States. He was a man of the people, 
yho had risen b\- his own merit, and who had held many important 
ofiBces, giving him great experience in the direction of public affairs. 
All this seemed to promise an administration peculiarly happy in its 
results, but so little can we judge of the future, that his short terra 
Trill be long remembered in the history of the country as in many re- 
'jpects one of the most unfortunate. 

Andrew Johnson was born at Raleigh, in the State of North Caro- 
lina, on the 29th December, 1808. He was deprived of a father's care 
'-hen he was a mere child, and in his tenth year he was bound out to 



JOHNSON QUIETLY INAUGURATED I'RESIDENT. 947 

learn the tailor's trade. He plied this humble calling for several 
years in South Carolina, but he was ambitious, and during that time, 
by his own unaided efforts, learned the rudiments of a plain English 
education. He fortunately married one who had enjoyed greater ad- 
vaatages, and by her aid was able to extend his studies. Having re- 
solved to emigrate to the West, he settled at Cxreenville, Tennessee. 
and entering into public affairs, soon gained the respect of his fellow- 
eitizens. In 1830, the poor tailor-boy of North Carolina was Mayor 
of Greenville. He was elected a member of the State Legislature iu 
1835, and took his seat in the Senate of Tennessee in 1841. He was 
one of the representatives of that State in Congress, from 1843 to 
1853 his constituents during a period of ten years constantly return- 
ing him He then became Governor of the State, and in 1857, was 
chosen United States Senator. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he 
opposed the Confederate movement with great energy, and did much to 
save that State. President Lincoln reappointed him military governor 
of Tennessee in 1862, and he was, as we have seen, elected Vice-Presi- 

dent in 1864. 

After Mr. Lincoln expired, the oath of ofiice as President was 
quietly administered to Mr. Johnson in his rooms at the Kirkwood 
Hotel by Chief Justice Chase, in presence of the Cabinet and sev- 
eral members of Congress, his inauguration being without any parade. 

President Johnson entered at once on the discharge of the duties 
of his important post, making no change in the Cabinet. William H. 
Seward was thus Secretary of State ; Edwin H. Stanton, Secretary of 
War • Hugh McCulloch, Secretary of the Treasury ; John P. Usher, 
Secre'tary of the Interior ; William Dennison, Post-Master General: 
and James Speed, Attorney-General. 



Q48 REWARD OFFERED FUR THE ARREST (iF MK. DAVIS. 

At the moment Washington was a scene of terrible excitetHent. 
rhe body of the late President lay oa its bloody bier. The Secretary 
of State, Mr. Seward, was not expected to live, for on fhe same night 
that Mr. Lincoln was shot, Lewis Payne Powell forced his way to the 
bed where Mr. Seward lay, having been thrown from his carriage and 
seriously injured. Felling young Frederick Seward to the ground, 
Payne rushed on the Secretary with a bowie-knife, and gave him three 
terrible stabs in the face and neck, but was fortunately secured by an 
invalid soldier, named Robinson, who was in attendance as a nurse. 

It was at once felt that the assassinations were part of a plot, and 
while hot pursuit was made after Booth, several persons were arrested 
as principals or accessories in the plot. Booth and Harold, an associ- 
ate, fled across the Potomac, and through Virginia to Bowling Green, 
in Caroline County, where they were overtaken in Garrett's barn. 
Harold surrendered, but Booth, attempting to fire on his pursuers, was 
shot through the head by Boston Corbet. 

On the 2d of May, the President issued a proclamation, in which, 
after stating that the assassination had been incited by Jefferson Davis, 
Jacob Thompson, and other prominent members of the Confederate 
Government, or its agents in Canada, offered a reward of a hundred 
thousand dollars for the arrest of Mr. Davis, and smaller sums for the 
others. 

The same day, by another proclamation, he declared that the United 
States would refuse hospitality to all nations who gave hospitality to 
Confederate cruisers, and had virtually violated their treaties with the 
United States by their treatment of its vessels in their ports. 

The investigation into the assassination of the late President, and 
the atta^ on Secretary Seward, led to the arrest of George A- 



MILITARY COMMISSION TO TRY THE CONSriKATORS. 949 

Atzeroth, Edward Spangler, the carpenter at Ford's theatre, Samuel 
Arnold, Michael O'Loughliu, and Mrs. Mary E. Surratt, the owner of 
a hotel called SurrattviUe, where Booth stopped in his flight, and ob- 
taiued arms and liquor. 

lu the panic which had seized upon the public mind, government 
dared not bring these people to trial before the ordinary courts of law. 
It was therefore determined, by the advice of the Attorney-General, 
to create a new tribunal, and President Johnson, on the 1st of May, 
ordered a Military Commission to be convened for their trial. 

It was a terrible step to take, fraught with the greatest danger to 
the liberties of the country. If citizens not belonging to the army 
and navy, or engaged in any rebellion against constituted authority, 
can be tried bv a military tribunal, and deprived of trial by jury when- 
ever a President chooses to order their arrest, no one is safe, the lives 
of all are at the mercy of the President. 

By order of Mr. Johnson, the Assistant Adjutant-General selected 
Major-Generals Hunter and Lewis Wallace, with Generals Kautz, 
Howe, Foster, Ekin, Harris, and two officers of lower grade to sit in 
judgment on Payne, Harold, and those already named, to whom ..s 
added Dr Samuel A. Mudd, who had set Booth's leg during his flight. 
The accused were allowed to have counsel, but the temper of the c^ourt 
was shown at the outset by the remark of the presiding General Hun- 
ger to the Hon. Reverdy Johnson, tbe counsel of Mrs. Surratt T. 
aay ha. passed," said General Hunter, " when freemen f-- the North 
were to be bullied and insulted by the humbug chivalry of th^^outh. 

The proceedings of the Commission began on the 13th of May, m 
the Old Penitentiary, the prisoners, even Mrs. Surratt. being heavily 
loaded with irons. 



950 HASTV EXECUTIOX OF THE CUNDEMNKl). 

Ou the 5th of July the Commission completed its labors, finding all 
the accused guilty, and sentencing Payne, Atzeroth, Harold, and Mrs. 
Surratt to death, O'Loughlin, Spangler, Arnold, and Mudd, to impris- 
onment for several years or for life. They signed a recommendation 
of mercy in behalf of Mrs. Surratt, but Judge Advocate Holt sup- 
pressed it, and it was not laid before the President. An attempt made 
in behalf of Mrs. Surratt, to have her tried before a Court of Justice, 
was met by President Johnson's order suspending the Writ of Habeas 
Corpus especially in her case. Only three days were given them to 
prepare for death, and on the 9th of July they were all exe- 
cuted. 

Mrs. Surratt's execution excited great feeling throughout the country, 
and for years those concerned in her death endeavored to shift the 
responsibility on each other. 

At the time the feeling of indignation among the whole people wa.s 
so great, and the horror of the crime so deep, that the severest penal- 
ties on all who had been in any way associated with Booth was imper- 
atively demanded. Payne, Atzeroth, Harold, and O'Loughlin were 
undoubtedly implicated, and, in fact, admitted their crime. 

The treatment of the United States prisoners at Richmond, Belle 
Isle, Andersonville, Millen, and Salisbury, had filled the Northern 
States with such a deep feeling of indignation and horror, that the 
popular voice demanded a victim. The barbarities practiced were cer- 
tainly known to if not encouraged by the Confederate authorities, but 
government did not venture to bring any of them to trial on a charge 
of high treason. But as the Confederate officers placed over the pris- 
ons appeared to have been selected for their brutal capacity, to carry 
out a aystem of malice, government resolved to bring to trial Cap- 



I'lXAL SUKKEXDER OF GENERAL JOHNSTON. 951 

tain Henry Wirz, who had been jailer at Andersonville, and who was 
accused of great cruelty. Again the fearful Military Commission was 
called together. Wirz was tried, and found guilty. He was hanged 
on the 10th of November, 1865, and public feeling was ap- 
peased. 

The war was yet to be closed on laud. Geueral Stoneman had, on 
the 12th of April, defeated and scattered to the winds a Confederate 
force under Gardiner, which attempted to check him near Salisbury, 
where many United States prisoners were held. Two days before 
Sherman had moved upon John.ston's lines at Smithfield, but the Con- 
federate general, aware of Lee's surrender, retreated. However, on the 
14th, when near Salisbury, he wrote to Sherman proposing a suspension 
of operations. This led to the signing of a basis of agreement in which 
many points were embraced that Sherman, as commander of an army, 
had no power to settle. The President at once rejected it, and General 
Grant in person proceeded to General Sherman's headquarters. On the 
26th, Johnston surrendered on the same terms that had been granted 
to General Lee. This event was followed, on the 4th of May, by the 
surrender of General Taylor's forces in Alabama to General Canby. 

The important armies of the power which had so long ruled the 
South thus passed out of existence, and the smaller corps scattered 
rapidly. A semblance of government was kept up by Jefferson Davis 
and his fugitive cabinet, but as he hastened through the South, one 
after another fell away, his cavalry escort dwindled down ; the proc- 
lamation offering a reward for his arrest as a murderer, transformed 
the late powerful President into a mere fugitive. His only hope was 
to get to seaboard and escai»e, or reach one of the armies still exist- 
ing\eyond the Mississippi. But on the 7th of May, he was surprised 



952 CO.XFEDEkATE CRUISERS SURRENDERED. 

and captured at daybreak by Lieutenant-Colonel Pritchard of th« 
Fourth Michigan cavalry. 

He was at once conveyed to Savannah, and thence by sea to Fortress 
Monroe, where he was subjected to a long and rigorous imprisonment 
Vice-President Stephens and Secretary Reagan were also captured, 
and confined in Fort Warren, near Boston. 

Thus fell the Confederacy, and the war, which had so long desolated 
the fairest part of our country, came to an end. 

Although the Confederate Government had ceased to exist, and its 
armies had surrendered or dispersed, the flag yet floated on the ocean, 
on vessels built and fitted-out in Engbnd. The powerful iion-clad 
Stonewall, closely watched by the Niagara and Sacramento, dodged 
from one friendly port to another, and finally running into Havana, 
was taken in charge by the Spanish authorities, and transferred to the 
United States. 

■ The Shenandoah, built at Glasgow, was in the Pacific. After receiv- 
ing, iu Australia, a perfect ovation in February, 1865, she sailed north- 
ward, and her captain, Waddell, though informed of the sun-ender of 
Lee and Johnston, and the capture of Davis, kept on his piratical 
course, capturing twenty-nine whalers, all of which he burned except 
four, and then returned to England, and in due form surrendered his 
English-built vessel to the English Government. The United States 
most unwisely accepted the vessel at their hands, for, as she had never 
entered a Confederate port, but was built, and oflicially registered as 
English, was equipped, cleared from, and returned to English ports, 
she was thoroughly English, and the responsibility for her work should 
have been left with the English people. 

On the 2d of June, General Grant, in a patriotic General Order, 



(IRAX'I'S I'AlKidTIC OF.XKUAI, ORI>KK. 953 

announced to the army the termination of hostilities. " Your marches, 
sieges, and battles, in distance, duration, resolution, and brilliancy of 
results, dim the lustre of the world's past military achievements, and 
will be the patriot's precedent in defence of liberty and right in 
all time to come. In obedience to your country's call, you left your 
homes and families, and volunteered in her defence. Victory has 
crowned your valor, and secured the purpose of your patriotic hearts ; 
and with the gratitude of your countrymen, and the highest honors a 
great and free nation can accord, you will soon be permitted to return 
to your homes and families, conscious of having discharged the high- 
est duty of American citizens." 

The immense army of the United States, numbering nearly a mil- 
lion of men, was rapidly mustered out of the service, and in a few 
months this mighty multitude was lost among their fellow-citizens, 
each man resuming his profession, employment, or trade, taking his 
place as a citizen to increase the wealth and well-being of the country 
for which he had so gallantly fought. 

President Johnson was anxious to see the whole country in the way 
of prosperity, and studicMl deeply the best method of reconstructing 
the Southern States, which were actually without State governments, 
courts, or civil organization. On the 29th of May he issued the first 
proclamation of amnesty, excepting from its provisions all who held 
office under the Confederate Government ; all who held offices or com- 
missions under the United States, or, after receiving an education in 
its Military or Naval Academy, had gone over to the Confederacy ; all 
engaged in destroying American commerce, and all who had taken 
part in the war, and were worth more than twenty thousand dollars. 



954 CONFLICT BETWEEN CONGRESS AND PRESIDENT. 

Some of the Southern States had already been reorganized by Pres- 
ident Lincoln. Carrying out the same plan, Johnson appointed pro- 
visional governors of North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, 
Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas. 

About the same time, with a view of studying the subject on the 
spot, General Grant made a tour of the Southern States, and was favor- 
ably impressed by the disposition shown to accept the result of the 
war. Slavery was finally abolished by the adoption of the Four- 
teenth Amendment, and everything seemed to promise a speedy and 
harmonious restoration. 

But the President's course was singularly displeasing to the more 
violent members of the Republican party, who wished the South treat- 
ed with the utmost harshness and severity. The meeting of Congress 
showed how deep this feeling was. A majority of both houses declared 
their disapproval of the President's plan of reconstruction. They ap- 
pointed a committee of fifteen to consider the whole matter, and laid 
on the table the credentials presented by the members returned from 
the reconstructed States. They passed the Civil Rights Bill, and one 
extending the powers of the Freedmen's Bureau, and though Presi- 
dent Johnson returned them with his veto, they passed both by the 
majority necessary to make them laws. 

The Supreme Court of the United States decided against some test 
oaths which had been introduced, but Congress insisted on extreme 
measures, disregarding the highest tribunal in the land. 

The Thirty-ninth Congress adopted a plan of reconstruction of its 
own, which the President did not approve. The Southern States re- 
fused to accept the severe conditions under which alone they could 
regain their position in the Union. 



ACTS OF CONGRESS PASSED OVER THE VETO. 955 

The Fortieth Congress met in March, 1867, but showed no signs of 
relenting in severity. On the contrary, it prepared to bind the 
South in fetters of iron by new and stringent laws. The Military 
Bill, which is now admitted to have been utterly unconstitutional, was 
amended over the President's veto. The Attorney-Greneral, having 
given an opinion unfavorable to the Act, Congress passed new acts ex- 
plaining and enforcing it, so as to secure to the Republican party the 
control of the States engaged in the war, or deprive thera indefinitely 
of self-government and a voice in Congress. 

The country was now in a strange position. The President was ac- 
tually, by the circumstances of the case, shorn of all the powers con- 
ferred upon him as the Chief Executive of the countr3^ A Congress 
with an overwhelming majority against him, could pass any law it 
pleased, and deprive him of all power. 

Nor was this opposition confined to the halls of Congress. The 
President soon found that his cabinet did not share his views. Post- 
master Dennison, Attornej^-General Speed, and Harlan, Secretary of 
the Interior, had resigned, and were succeeded by A. W. Randall of 
Wisconsin, Henry Stansberry of Ohio, and 0. H. Browning of Illinois. 

The country was in a most unliappy state. Just after a desolating 
war, when all energies should have been bent to restore peace and 
prosperity, the Congress was in direct opposition to the President, 
passing laws to which he was compelled to withhold his sanction. For 
the time being the presidential power was gone, and Congress ruled 
supreme. 

Nebraska was admitted as a State, by an Act which contained pro- 
visions as to voters that President Johnson disapproved, but the Act 
was passed over his veto on the 9th of February, 1867. 



95<^ GE.\1:RA1. (;KANT secretary of war, ad IXiEKIM. 

6oou alter, in Maix-li, ihc ru.iiig ujujurity in Congress adopted their 
measures for recousU\.ctiijg the South. Xoiie ol the State goveru- 
mcats were to be recognized : all the Stales which had been engaged 
in war against the United States were considered as out of the Union, 
only to be admitted as new States, when they adopted constitutions 
acceptable to the ruling power in Congress, that is, which gave the ne- 
groes entire control of their affairs. In the meantime they were divided 
into military districts, and made subject to military law and rule. As 
the President was known to be opposed to this violent and unrepubli- 
can course, all power in the matter was taken out of his hands, and 
the acts of the District Commanders were made subject only to the 
General of the Army, General Grant, who was now in perfect accord 
with the radical portion of the dominant party. The President thus 
ceased to be the Commander-in-Chief of the Army. 

Two of the States, Mississippi and Georgia, endeavored to avert 
their doom. They applied to the Supreme Court to restrain the Pres- 
ident from enforcing the Act ; but the court, by the Chief Justice, 
Chase, decided that it liad not sufficient power to arrest the action of 
the army acting undei- the orders of Congress. 

So limited had the Presidential power become, that he was forbid- 
den by law to remove any member of his cabinet, without consent of 
the Senate. This act was passed to maintain Mr. Stanton in his office 
of Secretary of War, in spite of the wishes of Mr. Johnson, to whom 
he stood in an attitude of personal and defiant hostility. 

Eesolving to bring his strange position to a test. President Johnson, 
on the 12th of August, suspended Mr. Stanton, and appointed General 
Grant as Secretary o-f War, ad interim, and tilings remained in this 
position till Congress met, when, no action being taken to remove Mr. 



l-MPKACIIMKNT OF PRESIDENT— ACQUITTAL. 957 

Stanton, General Grant yielded the office up to hira. The President 
then, on the 21st of February, 1868, formally removed Stanton, and 
appointed General Thomas Secretary of War. 

The most violent excitement ensued. The House of Representatives 
three days after impeached the President, and prepared charges 
against him. On the 5th of March, 1868, President Johnson was ar- 
raigned as a criminal before the Senate, Chief Justice Chase presid- 
ing. The strange spectacle was thus presented to the world, of the 
President of a great nation arraigned by one antagonistic branch of 
the Government, the other branch, equally antagonistic, sitting as 
judges. Never, perhaps, was the great cause of human liberty in 
greater jeopardy. The trial was long and exciting, but on the 26th 
of May the vote was taken. Thirty-four senators pronounced him 
guilty, but as nineteen voted hira not guilty, there were not two-thirds 
against him, and he was thus acquitted. 

The President's right to remove his obnoxious Secretary was thus 
sustained. Mr. Stanton at once retired from the post, and Johnsoa 
appointed General Schofield Secretary of War. 

During the administration of Mr. Johnson, the United States re- 
mained at peace with foreign nations. Throughout the country there 
was a strong feeling against England for the part she had taken dur- 
ing the recent war, in fitting out ships for the destruction of American 
commerce. As soon as peace was restored, steps were taken to de- 
mand from the English Government compensation for the property de- 
stroyed by those cruisers. The English nation at first ridiculed the 
idea of their paying any indemnity, or admitting that they were at all 
in the wrong. But the question in Congress was treated in a manner 
that showed that the United States was not to be trifled with in the 



958 FENIAN INVASION OF CANADA, 

matter. A speech of Senator Sumner excited special indignation in 
England. But a new affair came up that modified English views. 
The people of Ireland, whose separate Legislature had been suppressed 
in 181)0, had long been restive under the Euglish rule. Agitation fol- 
lowed agitation, and about tliis time a vast organization called the 
Fenians was formed, having branches not onl}' in Ireland, but in Eng- 
land, Canada, and the Uuited States. Its object was to begin a revo- 
lution for the liberation of Ireland. 

Large amounts of money were raised by Fenian leaders in the 
United States, men were organized so as to be used as regiments ; it 
was proposed to run out of the ports of the United States vessels 
which would hoist the Fenian flag as the English cruisers did the Con- 
federate flag. When a Fenian invasion of Canada was talked of, Eng- 
land took alarm, although Canada had enabled the Confederates to 
make a raid into Yerraont, where they plundered the town of St. 
Albans, and killed several people. In that case the United States 
Government remonstrated, but the guilty men were not punished, nor 
was the property restored. 

In April, 1866, a Fenian gathering at Eastport, Maine, showed an 
evident intention to cross over and commence operations in New 
Brunswick, making Campo Bello Island the basis of operations. The 
Government of the United States, however, acted promptly and pre- 
vented it. 

In June some two hundred Fenians under General O'Neill crossed 
at Niagara, but were soon confronted by a body of Canadian volun- 
teers under Colonel Booker. The battle of Limestone Ridge was 
fought, several were killed on both sides, but the Fenian plans were 
defeated. Again the United States Government interposed, and broke 



THE FRENCH TROOPS IN MEXICO. 959 

up the movements, as they did a subsequent attempt in Vermont. Gen- 
eral O'Neill was finally anested and imprisoned. 

The Euglish Government could not but admit that the United States 
had acted more vigorously and honorably than they had done. A 
treaty on the Alabama claims, as they were called, from the vessel 
which did most damage, was negotiated by the Hon. Reverdy Johnson, 
as Minister of the United States, but the Senate refused to confirm il 
and it fell through. The Alabama question remained a subject ol 
warm and often angry discussion during the rest of Johnson's adminis- 
tration. 

The North, relieved from the stram of the war, entered on a career 
of commercial and industrial prosperity. Great public works like the 
Pacific Railroad were pushed through, and emigration again flowed 
westward, to till the fertile plains yet unbroken by the plough. The 
great fire at Portland, in July, 1866, caused by an explosion of fire- 
works on the 4th, was the only great draw-back. The conflagration 
raged for two days, and laid much of the city in ashes, involving an 
immense destruction of property. 

During the American Civil War, England, France, and Spain, una- 
ble to obtain satisfaction from Mexico for claims against that republic, 
sent a joint expedition against her. After taking Vera Cruz, E.igland 
and Spain withdrew, but the French continued the war. Remforcc 
ments were constantly sent over, and the French captured city after 
city, and finally took Mexico. The Mexicans under Benito Juarez 3S 
President, however, maintained the struggle against imperial power. 
At last the intention of France became evident. Counting on the suc- 
cess of the Confederacy, the Emperor Napoleon III. aimed to over- 
throw republicanism in Mexico, and to erect a monarchy there as a 



960 UXITKI) STATES TROTKSTS FKANTK WITUDKAW;. 

check to the growth of republics, and especially as a balance against 
(he influence of the United States, whether it became two republics 
or remained one. A Congress of Mexican notables, meeting in the 
capital, and acting under French influence, resolved on a monarchy, 
and offered the crown to the Archduke Maximilian of Austria, a 
prince who, as governor of Lombardy and Venice, had evinced many 
good qualities as a ruler. 

After much hesitation, Maximilian, on the 10th of April, 1864, ac- 
cepted the dangerous position of Emperor of Mexico, and came out to 
America. A part of the nation rallied around him, and the French 
troops supported him on his throne, with some Mexican and foreign 
troops forming his own army. He endeavored in vain to induce Juarez 
to acknowledge the empire or join him in his attempt to give Mexico 
a better government. 

The United States protested sternly against the whole movement, 
but as long as she was herself rent by a civil war, France paid little 
heed to her remonstrances. When, however, the Confederate cause, 
though encouraged by England and France, was lost, the whole position 
of affairs changed. The campaign in Mexico had cost France immense 
sums of money without any corresponding return. Her victories were 
barren of result, and after a time even of glory, being confined to 
mere skirmishes with guerrillas. With peace at home, the Govern- 
ment of the United States became more urgent. France resolved to 
withdraw her army, and this was done more precipitately than was at 
first announced or intended. 

Maximilian, who had shown great wisdom and moderation in his 
management of affairs, was left in a precarious and dangerous position. 
Yet he resolved to face the difficulty as became a man of honor : but 



EXECUTION OK M A.\n[ 1 1.1 A N . 961 

Juarez, when he had the Fiench no longer to keep the people in awe, 
soon gathered to his standard a large army. Maximilian advanced to 
meet him, but was betraj'ed by one of his generals, who led a large 
part of the army over to Juarez. His lines being thus exposed, Max- 
imilian's headquarters were surrounded at night, and on the 15th of 
May, 1867, the Emperor, with several of his prominent Mexican gen- 
erals, surrendered to General Escobedo, the commander of the Repub- 
lican forces. According to the sanguinary policy which has charac- 
terized all Spanish-American warfare, they were tried by court-mar- 
tial and condemned to death. The United States in vain used its in- 
fluence to save them, but Juarez, who owed so much to the attitude of 
this country, turned a deaf ear to its intervention. Maximilian and 
his generals were shot on the 19th of June, the last words of the un- 
fortunate prince being, " Poor Carlotta," showing that he grieved for 
his wife rather than himself. She became a maniac, and was conveyed 
to Europe to linger for years devoid of reason. The overthrow of 
Maximilian destroyed all hopes entertained in Europe of crushing 
out republicanism in America, and before many years France aud 
Spain, two of the countries that took part in the attempt to overthrow 
the republic of Mexico, themselves rejected royalty and became re- 
publics. 

About this time success crowned a new effort to connect America 
with Europe by means of a submarine telegraph cable. The first at- 
tempt to lay a cable at the bottom of the sea was made in 1850, with a 
view to connect England and France. In 1858, as we have seen already, 
one was run across from Ireland to Newfoundland, which from some 
cause ceased to work almost immediately. Means were raised to lay 
a new cable, and take up and repair the old one. The Great Eastern, 



962 AMERICAN INVENTION'S AND ENTERPRISE. 

aa immense steamer, was fortunately adapted to this use. She sailed 
iroin Valentia Bay, Ireland, on the 13th of July, 1866, and on the 
27th, reached Heart's Content, Newfoundland, without accident, laying 
the cable as she went. The other was then examined and repaired, 
and telegraphic communication between the two countries became per- 
manently established, so that the morning papers gave all the Euro- 
pean news of the day before. Samuel F. B. Morse, an American ar- 
tist, and the inventor of the first successful magnetic telegraph, lived 
to see this wonderful application of his invention, which drew on him 
honors at home and abroad. 

This leads to the mention of other American inventions of this 
period, some of which acquired a world-wide renown. McCormack's 
reaper and mowing-machines enabled farmers to cultivate large tracts 
which it would have been impossible to manage, had the gathering of 
crops depended on the cradle and scythe, wielded by human hands. 
The success of these inventions led to other machines for facilitating 
almost every branch of agricultural labor. 

The Sewiug-Machine, invented by Elias Howe, not only facilitated 
work in large factories and workshops, but even in private families 
to a great extent replaced the needle. Being easily worked, it en- 
abled a seamstress to sew in a few moments what under the old plan 
would have required hours. 

Not long after the close of our civil war, troubles began in the ad- 
jacent island of Cuba, a colony of Spain. The United States could 
not view the matter without interest, as the trade with the island was 
very extensive and valuable. Sugar, and tobacco, and cigars, were 
imported from it in great quantities, and the island took in return 
American manufactures and provisions. 



CUBAN INSURRECTION SPANISH BAKUARITIES. 963 

The people of Cuba had long wished to be free from the Spanish 
yoke, and the Government of the United States had long showed a de- 
sire to purchase the island. Spain, however, was unwilling to give 
up so rich a colony ; she would neither sell it nor allow it to become 

independent 

Many young Cubans, educated in the United States, were thoroughly 
republican in feeling, and repeated attempts at revolution were made, 
but suppressed with great cruelty by the Spanish Government. Dur- 
ing the administration of Mr. Johnson, Cuba again rose, and formed 
a 'republican government. The Spaniards, though holding the large 
cities, and surrounding the island with fleet and powerful steamers, 
were unable to crush the Cubans, or to prevent arms and men being 
landed from time to time on the island. Mr. Johnson, through his 
officials, checked as far as possible all efforts to aid the Cubans, but 
occasionally a vessel would get out with supplies. This state of 
things lasted for several years. The Spaniards were cooped up in the 
large cities, while the interior of the country was held by the Cubans. 
Every now and then the public mind in the United States would be 
Bhocked by some Spanish barbarity, but the nation carefully adhered 
to its neutrality. One of the bloodiest chapters in the war was the 
execution of a number of boys, medical students in Havana, who were 
accused of having scratched a glass in the tombstone of a Spaniard 

in the cemetery at Havana. 

China had long maintained a spirit of reserve, keeping aloof from 
*11 other powers. Anson Burlingame, sent from the United States, led 
the Emperor to adopt a more cordial policy, and in June, 18P«, he ar- 
rived in the United States at the head of a Chinese embassy, Cluku- 
ban and Swunkiasing, two chief mandarins, and others or inferior 



964 "CAKl-KT I'.ACiCER.S " "KUKLUX " COKRII'TION. 

grade, being associated with him. After negotiations with the United 
•States looking to a closer relationship the embassy proceeded to Eu- 
rope. 

Several eminent Americans passed away during this period. General 
Scott, so long at the head of the United States army, survived the great 
eivil war ; he died in June, 1866, after a brief illness, and was interred 
at West Point. Mr. Buchanan, whose presidency saw the commence- 
ment of the civil war, and who had so long served his country in dip- 
lomatic and cabinet positions, died at Wheatland, Pennsylvania, oh 
the 4th of June, 1868. 

The stormy administration of Andrew Johnson was drawing to a 
close, and both the political parties began to prepare for the coming 
election. The Republican part}-, with its immense power in Congress, 
resolved to let the Southern States into the Union only in such a way 
as to vote for its candidate. Negro suffrage being made imperative, 
and multitudes of whites being excluded bj' stringent oaths, Arkan- 
sas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida 
were admitted in June, 1868, and those States fell under the sway of 
the ignorant negro population, led by a few unscrupulous Northern 
whites, who were styled " carpet-baggers." The result was disastrous 
in the extreme. The Legislatures ran up the public debt in these 
States to enormous amounts, the public moneys were squandered, 
toxes increased ten-fold, propertj^ sank in value, and the white land- 
owners .saw nothing but ruin and destitution before them, with no 
means under heaven of obtaining the slightest relief. Many in despair 
formed secret leagues called Kuklux, but their acts of violence against 
the negroes only embittered the hostility to the whole body of unfor- 
tonate Southern white people. 



HOPES OK Sl'KEDV PKO.SI'EKITY. 9^5 

The National Republican Oouveulion met at Chicago, and put for- 
ward as the candidates of the party Ulysses S. Grant of lUiuois, and 
Schuyler Colfax of Indiana. The Democratic Convention nominated 
Horatio Seymour of New York, for President, and General Frank 
Blair for Vice-President. 

The result of the election could not be doubtful. Three States, 
Mississippi, Virginia, and Texas, were excluded from voting by the 
action of Congress ; of the remaining twenty-six voted for Grant and 
Colfax, only eight casting their votes for Seymour, 



CHAPTER XX. 

ULYSSES S. GRANT, EIGHTEENTH PRESIDENT, 1869-1877. 

President Grant -His Cabinet — Reconstruction of Virginia— Mississippi and Texas — The 
Fifteenth Amendment - Proposed Annexation of St. Domingo— The great Confla.gration at 
Chicago-Settlement of the Alabama Claims-The Presidential Election -Death of Mr. Greeley 
— The'^Modoe War— Trouble with Spain in regard to the Seizure of the Virginiusand Murder of 
her Crew and Passeni:ers at Santiago de Cuba -The Louisiana Troubles -Centennial Exhibition 
at Philadelphia-Colnrado admitted as a State-Trial of Belknap, Secretary of War-Nez Pcrcos 
xid Sioux "War— Presi<lential Election- Disputed States— Electoral Commission. 

Gei^ekal Grant had from the close of the war been rising steadily 
in popularity, and his election was a complete triumph. Sprung from 
an early New England settler, and identified with the West, he pleased 
l)oth sections. All expected from the great soldier a firm, vigorous, 
and honest administration. 

After the war, his duties as general of the army employed General 
Grant, till President Johnson called him temporarily to assume the 
duties of Secr'^tary of War. 

The a,ccess>n of General Grant to the presidency gave hopes of a 
srjeedy /eUnv c/ prosperity. His vigor as a general, his kindly feel- 



956 FIFTEENTH CONSTITUTIONAL ARfENDMENT ADOPTED. 

iiig to the South, his moderation in politics, all induced men to expect 
a return to the old harmony and good feeling. 

He was duly inaugurated on the 4th of March. His cabinet was 
not immediately organized to his satisfaction. He chose as Secretary 
of State, E. B. Washburne of Illinois : J. D. Cox, of Ohio, as Secre- 
tary of the Interior ; Adolph E. Borie, of Pennsylvania, as Secretary 
of the Navy ; John M. Schofield, of Illinois, as Secretary of War j 
J. A. J. Creswell, of Maryland, as Postmaster-General ; and E. Rock- 
wood Hoar, as Attorney-General. As Secretary of Treasury, he fixed 
upon A. T. Stewart, an eminent New York merchant, but as he 
proved to be ineligible, G. S. Boutwell, of Massachusetts, took that 
iraportsut position. Mr. Washburne was soon after appointed minister 
to France, and during a great part of General Grant's administration, 
Hamilton Fish, of New York, was Secretary of State. General J. A. 
Rawlins, and W. W. Belknap, were successively Secretaries of War, 
and George M. Robeson of New Jersey, became Secretary of the 
Navy. 

Congress was convened almost immediately, and on the 10th of 
April, an act passed for the reconstruction of Virginia, Mississippi, 
and Texas. Under its provisions elections were held, and a constitu- 
tion adopted and ratified by Virginia in 18G9, and by the other States 
in 1870. 

The Fifteenth Amendment, guaranteeing suffrage or (he right of 
voting to the negroes, was passed this year, and adopted by many 
States during 1869, and by enough in the following to make up the 
number required. It then became part of the Constitution of the 
United States. The States recently reconstructed, were admitted only 
on their acceptance of the Fifteenth Amendment. Senators and Rep- 



GEORGE PEABODY AND HIS BEQUESTS. 967 

resentatives from those States were admitted iu 1870. But the 
passage of the Fifteenth Amendment, and acts to enforce it, exaspera- 
ted the South still more, and stringent measures were proposed, which 
took shape in the Ku-Klux Bill, passed in 1871. 

One of the earliest projects of General Grant was the annexation 
to the United States of Dominica, a part of tbe Island of St. Domin- 
go, which, throwing off the Haj'tian, or negro rule, had maintained its 
existence as a separate republic. Under General Grant's authority, 
a treaty, of annexation was signed at the city of St. Domingo, Novem- 
ber 29, 1869. But the matter was not favorably regarded, and the 
treaty, when submitted to the Senate, was, after a sharp dpbate, re- 
jected. 

The island is rich and fertile, and in proper hands would be very 
productive, but under the negro rule of Hayti, and the constant revo- 
lutions that disturb the Republic of Dominica, all trade and industry 
languish. General Grant showed great earnestness in endeavoring to 
carry out the annexation, but though a commission was sent out to ex- 
amine Dominica the whole affair fell through. 

A man who never held any public position, but who was known and 
honored in England, the philanthropic American banker, George 
Peabody, died during this administration. His immense liberalities 
to the poor of London, drew on him letters of thanks from Queen 
Victoria, who would have ennobled him, had the American mer- 
chant been willing to accept such an honor. He founded public 
libraries and institutions at Baltimore a«d other cities, and gave a 
large fund to extei»d the benefit of education in the Southern 
States. He was born at Danvers, Massachusettfi, February 18, 1795, 
and died in London, November 4, 1869. He was laid temporarily in 



968 THE G<REAT FIRE IN CHICAGO. 

Westminster Abbey, among all whom England deems her greatest 
and noblest. Then his remains were brought over to Portland, in the 
British steamship of war Monarch, and finally interred at Danvers,' 
in February, 1870. 

On the 12th of October, 1870, General Robert E. Lee, one of the 
great actors in the late civil war, passed away, his last years having 
been spent in retirement as president of a college in Virginia. 

While the country was rapidly recovering from the desolating effects 
of war and sectional feeling, all were startled by the terrible calamity 
which suddenly befell the great city of Chicago. A fire which broke 
out in a stable, in one of the poorest districts of the city, on Sunday, 
October 8, 1871, spread rapidly. Every effort to cneck it failed ; all 
day long, all night, all the next day, the fire swept steadily on, as if 
kindled and fed by supernatural power. Those who looked at it from 
a distance of blocks and miles, soon found themselves in peril ; people 
who began by moving their most precious articles a few blocks, found 
the flames pursuing them, and hastened on. The bridges were soon 
crowded by frantic droves of people, and vehicles of every kind. The 
gas works perished, and the city at night was plunged in darkness ; 
the water works by which water from Lake Michigan was pumped 
through a tunnel for supplying the city were wrapped in flximes, and 
the fire department was paralyzed. Street after street was swept by the 
destroying element, the very air seemed fire ; people perished in the 
streets ; no means could be found to remove the sick and infirm, or 
property of any kind. Before the fire spent its fury, two thousand 
one hundred and twenty-four acres were burned over, seventeen 
thousand four hundred and fifty buildings had disappeared, including 
all the public edifices, most of the churches, libraries, galleries of art, 



[ 



GENEVA TRIBUNAL THE AI.AT.AMA CLAIMS. 069 

the great business houses, and dwelling houses of rich and poor. A 
liiuidred thousand people were homeless. No such conflagration had 
ever been known, and the wants of the suffering drew bountiful con- 
tributions fi'oiii all parts of the country. Thousands fled from the 
city to seek shelter elsewhere. In a short time, however, the citizens 
went vigorously to work to rebuild it, and Chicago rose from her ashes 
more beautiful and better built than before. 

The completion of the census of 1871, showed that in spite of a 
bloody civil war, the United States had gained in population, and 
reached thirty-eight millions. 

The District of Columbia, which from the time of the organization 
of the Government had been governed by Congress, and noi by a 
Legislature chosen by the people, was now placed under a regular ter- 
ritorial government. But in the wild schemes of corruption that per- 
raded all parts of the country, the District, like other parts, fell into 
the hands of men who sought only their own profit. A great debt 
was speedily incurred. 

The long- pending dispute between the United States and England, 
as to the responsibility of the British Government for the depredations 
caused by the Alabama and other vessels from English ports, was at 
last adjusted by the Treaty of Washington, in 1871. Under its pro- 
visions, a tribunal of statesmen from different countries were to meet 
at Geneva, in Switzerland, and decide the various questions at issue 
between the two countries. 

The Commissioners met in April, 1872, and, after long and exciting 
arguments on either side, decided in a way that gave the people of the 
United States much gratification. England was held to have been in 
fault, and was required to pay fifteen millions of dollars for the prop- 



9 JO STRANGE PARTY FUSI.ON CRANT ELECTED. 

erty so wantonly destroyed by the Alabama and other vessels fitted 
out in the name of the Confederacy from English ports. 

The final adjustment of this vexed question was welcomed heartily 
by all. 

Another peaceful victory over England, was the decision by the 
Emperor of Grermany, in favor of the United States, in regard to the 
dispute between the two countries as to the north-west boundary, 
which had also been a topic of angry discussion. 

The year 1872 was marked by a strange fusion of parties. A num- 
ber of Republicans opposed to the severe measures of the more radical 
portion of the party, formed a new organization as Liberal Republi- 
cans. Their great leader and advocate was Horace Greeley , the able 
editor of the New Yorh Tribune. In the convention held by this party, 
be was nominated for President. The Democratic Convention, whick 
met some months later, resolved not to put forward a candidate of 
their own, but to throw all their influence in favor of Greeley against 
Grant. The Republican party again put forward. General Grant as 
their candidate. A small portion of the Democrats, disliking tha 
fusion with the Liberal Republicans, named Charles O'Conor of New 
York, as candidate for the Presidency. 

The election was an exciting one, but just after it Horace Greeley 
died from the excitement. 

At this election all the States, for the first time in twelve yeara, 
took part. Nearly six million five hundred thousand votes were 
cast by the people, Grant having a majority of seven hundred and 
sixty thousand, showing how strong a hold he had on the aflFectioos of 
his countrymen. 

In the electoral college, two hundred and eighty-six were cast for 



MODOC INDIAN DIFFICULTIES. 97^^ 

General Grant, as President, and Henry Wilson, of Massachusetts, aa 
Vice-President. The opposition, numbering only seventy-eight votes, 
was divided among several candidates. 

General Grant was thus, by the voice of his fellow-citizens, invest- 
ed once more with the chief magistracy of the country. He was in- 
augurated on the 4th of March, 1873, by the Hon. Salmon P. Chase, 
Chief-Justice of the United States, who died a few months after, 
May 7th, at the age of sixty-five, having filled his high office with 

dignity and ability. 

Indian affairs, under the administration of General Grant, assumed 
a new form The tribes were divided up among the different denom- 
inations in a strange manner, often to the serious detriment of mis- 
sions established at great labor and expense. The chief direction was 
confided to the Society of Friends, and, besides the regular Indian 
Bureau, a body of advisory commissioners was established. This dia 
not prevent troubles, and indeed, in some parts, seemed to hasten 
them The military and the peace party did not work in harmony, 
and the frauds of traders and unscrupulous agents received no check. 
One of the projects was to make the Indian Territory one of the 
regular Territories, under the name of Oklahoma, and remove the wild 
tribes to it. This was strongly opposed by the Cherokees, and other 
tribes, who had made considerable progress in civilization. 

An attack on a Piegan party by Colonel Baker, in 1870, when that 
officer destroyed the village, killed one hundred and seventy-three 
Indians, and carried off three hundred horses, excited sharp criticism. 
The attempt to remove the Modoc Indians from their old residence 
on Lost Biver, Oregon, led to serious results. This tribe had, like many 
others signed treaties ceding their lands, but without any distmc, 



9/2 ASSASSINATION OK GF.NERAL CAISTBY. 

knowledge of its meaning. They were removed to a reservation entirely 
unsuited to tlieir mode ul iile, in consequence oi' wiiich they sufiered 
greatly ; provisions, furnished for them by Groverument, having been 
appropriated to private use. 

Seeing nothing before them but starvation, they resolved to return 
to their old grounds. After they had been there a short lime, the 
authorities attempted to remove them by force to the reservation. 
They flew to arras, and began by murdering several settlers iu the 
valley. Then they retreated to a strange tract of country on the 
borders of Oregon and California, and known as the Lava Beds, a 
mass of volcanic rocks, full of caves, yawning ravines and precipices, 
with occasional spots of grass. 

The United States troops, under General Gillem, pursued them, but 
iheir position was found to be almost impregnable. A battle fought 
January 17, 1873, resulted in severe loss, the troops being utterly una- 
ble to see an Indian, while they were fired at from all sides. Yet the 
troops pressed on, gradually gaining ground ; but the country was im- 
patient at the delay, and mortified to see the array held at bay by a 
handful of Indians. The peace party urged negotiations, and commis- 
sioners were sent to treat with the Modocs. On the 12th of April, 
Captain Jack, with some of his chiefs, met Brigadier-General Canby, 
Rev. Dr. Thomas, and Messrs. Meacham and Dyar, but during the peace 
conference Captain Jack and his party attacked them, killing General 
Canby and Dr. Thomas on tlie spot, and wounding Meacham. The 
war was then pushed vigorously, and the Indians driven from point to 
point, till, on the 1st of June, Captain Jack, with a few who had fol- 
lowed his fortunes, finding it impossible to hold out or escape, surreu- 
dered to Colonel B. Ferry. The Modoc chief with several others were 



THE VIRGINIUS OUTRAGE. 9/3 

tried by court-raartial for the treacherous murder of the commis- 
sioners, and, having been found guilty, were hanged at Fort Klamatli 
Oregon, on the 3d of October. 

The Cuban affairs during the year 1873 led to an affair which nearly 
involved the United States in a war with Spain. The insurrection in 
Cuba had spread, in spite of all the efforts to crush it. In April, 18G9, 
a Congress met at Guaimaro, and declaring Cuba a republic, adopted 
a Constitution ; Carlos M. Cespcdes became President, and General 
Quesada commander-in-chief of the army. Some severe actions took 
place, in which the Spanish troops suffered severely. After this men 
and aims were introduced from time to time; from the United States, 
although Spain had a large fleet of gunboats around the island. 

lu December, 1873, this state of affairs resulted in a bloody tragedy, 
which caused a thrill of horror throughout the civilized world, while 
in the United States it aroused a feeling of hdense indignation. 

The American steamship Virginius, which had been in the interest 
of the Cubans, endeavoring to land men and arn.s, for the aid of the 
Republicans of the island, was discovered, on the 31st day of October 
off the southern coast of Cuba, by the Spanish gunboat Tornado, ihe 
Vir.inius immediately steered for the Island of Jan.aica, pursued by 
the Tornado, which gained rapidly, as the Virginius was :.t u. good 
sailing triuK At last, when in sight of the English island, the Tor- 
nado,'^vored by the clear moonlight, brought the Virginius U. and 
sent an officer on board. Captain Fry, of the Virginius, presented ,s 
papers, which were regular, but the Spaniards declared the vessel a 
prize hauled down the American flag, and, putting all on board m 
iron.; steamed away for Santiago de Cuba. On reaching that cdy, the 
governor, Burriel, one of those bloodthirsty wretches who d.sho..,. 



974 UNJUST EXECUTION OF AMERICANS AS PIRATES. 

the huiuaa race, ordered all on board to be tried bj court-martial, and, 
to prevent interference, cut the telegraph wires running to Havana 
The American and English consuls remonstrated in vain ; the Ameri 
can vice-consul was not even permitted to telegraph to the consul at 
Kingston. 

It was resolved to butcher the captives, and that with all haste. 
The Virginias arrived, in charge of the Tornado, on the 1st of Novem- 
ber. On the second, a naval commission was appointed to try the 
prisoners as pirates ; the next day the trial terminated, condemning 
to death three Cubans found on board, Varona, Cespedes, and del 
Sol, and Washington Ryan a native of Canada. 

The next morning at six o'clock, the victims were led out to the 
slaughter-house, shot down and bayoneted with every cruelty. 

The Spanish authorities suppressed all news of this outrage, so that 
it was not till the 6th of November, that the telegraph announced in 
New York the capture of the vessel. There was no American or Eng- 
lish man-of-war near Cuba to check this violation of all international law, 
but as a vessel was daily expected from Jamaica, Burriel hastened the 
murder of the rest. Captain Fr}-, of the Yirginius, with thirty-six of 
the crew, almost to a man American citizens, or British subjects, were 
next condemned to death as pirates, as though an unarmed ves- 
sel, which had never robbed or molested any other, could be a 
pirate. 

On the 7th of November, they were all taken out and butchered in 
cold blood. The next day another band were slaughtered, but an 
English man-of-war, the Niobe, Captain Loraine, steamed into the 
harbor, and peremptorily demanded that the executions should c^aee. 
He compelled the Spaniards to take up the American flag, which was 



ALABAMA CLAIMS SETTLED. 975 

kicked about the deck of tlie Virginius, and convey it to the consul's 

office. 

When information of this butchery reached the United States, 
the public mind was aroused as it had not been for many years. 
The vessels of the navy were at once fitted out, and the, minister in 
Spain, General Sickles, at once demanded from the Spanish Govern- 
ment the restoration of the Yirginius, reparation for the murders com- 
mitted, and for the insult to the American flag. After some negotia- 
tion, a document was signed at Washington, by which Spain made 
some reparation, though far less than had been demanded or should 
have been exacted. The Virginius was given up, disabled and reek- 
ing with filth, and in such a condition that she sunk in the endeavor 
to bring her to the United States. 

The Alabama claims, submitted to a commission at Geneva were 
finally all decided, and, by the judgment of these arbitrators, England 
was required to pay to the Government of the United States, fifteen 
million five hundred thousand dollars, which was accordingly paid on 
the 9th of September, 1873. 

The foreign affairs of the country were thus cleared from all mat- 
ters of dispute before the meeting of Congress, but there was one of 
grave importance at home which began in 1872, and dragged through 
to 1874 This was the Louisiana trouble. 

The Reconstruction Acts, and tl.e laws to enforce the Fifteenth 
Amendment, had invested the United States courts and officials with 
powers that, in the hands of the best and wisest of men, would excte 
the alarm of every lover of his country, and in the hands of unscrupv- 
lous politicians, threatened to destroy utterly every vestige of Am.r. 
oaa liberty. 



9;6 CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION AT PHILADELPHIA. 

An election for governor and members of the legislature took place 
in 1872, Kellogg being the administration candidate, while McEnery 
received the support of the Democrats and Liberal Republicans. The 
returns as made officially gave the election to the latter, but Kellogg 
claimed that great frauds had been committed. A United States 
Judge, Durell, issued an order in his house at night, under which the 
Federal Marshal, aided by troops, took possession of the State House, 
drove out McEnery and the legislature which recognized him, and in' 
stalled Kellogg and his adherents. 

This led to further trouble and to constant interference in elections 
by United States troops. This at last filled the country with alarm, 
and drew upon President Grant great unpopularity 

Before the close of the year 1875, the office of Vice-President be 
came vacant by the death of Henry Wilson, who expired on the 22d 
of November. 

/ The year 1876 was the one hundredth after the Declaration of In- 
dependence, and all Americans looked forward to it with pride and 
enthusiasm. One of the events connected with its celebration was 
the "International Exhibition of Arts, Manufactures and Products of 
the Soil and Mines," which was opened in Fairmount Park, Philadel- 
phia, with great pomp by President Grant in May in presence of the 
Emperor and Empress of Brazil. The articles exhibited were con- 
tributed from all parts of the United States, and from thirty-six na- 
tions in Eui-ope and other parts of the world, making a display such 
as had never before been witnessed. 

On the 4th of July, 1876, Colorado, which promised to become rich 
and populous, from its mineral wealth and grazing lands, was admit 
ted to the Union as the thirty-eighth State. 



FEARFUL MASSACRE BY THE INDIANS. 977 

About this time the country was shocked by the arraignment of 
William W. Belknap, the Secretary of War, who was charged with 
official corruption. He resigned his office and was tried before the 
Senate of the United States, but the majority for convicting him was 
not sufficient to secure his condemnation. 
k The Indian affairs of the country at this period were involved in 
difficulties. General Grant had early in his administration divided 
the agencies among the different religious denominations, but this 
merely increased the confusion. The frauds and oppressions on the 
Indians became greater than ever. The Nez Perces had been de- 
prived of their old homes and ordered to remove to a new reserva- 
tion. As these Indians saw no hope of subsisting there, they refused 
to leave their old residence. Troops were sent to drive them from 
the home of their ancestors, which they had held for many years. 
j For two months these brave Indians, under Chief Joseph, baffled three 
American generals, and surrendered at last at Bear Paw Mountain, 
i only to save their wounded men and starving women. 
i The attempt of the whites to invade the Black Hill Country claimed 
by the Sioux led to another war. Sitting Bull with his braves pre- 
I pared to fight. Three columns of United States troops, under Gen- 
erals Terry, Crooke, and Gibbon, were sent to defeat and capture his 
force. Crooke first encountered Sitting Bull, but finding himself too 
weak to engage the Indians, fell back ; Custer operating in connection 
with Gibbon pushed on ahead, and discovering an Indian camp on 
the Little Big Horn River, attacked it without waiting for Gibbon's 
troops. The Indians under Sitting Bull fought with great skill and 
courage, killing Custer and almost aU his force, except some companies 
of cavalry which had been sent to take the Indians in flank. After 



97S INDECISIVE PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST. 

this battle, which took place June 25th, Sitting Bnll retreated into 
the English territory, baffling the armies in pursuit. Here he re- 
mained for several years, menacing the western country, till the Cana- 
dian authorities required him to give up all hostile plans or leave 
their territory. Then his warriors began to return to the United 
States and submit. At last the stern old chief sullenly yielded. 

During the year 1876 both political parties prepared to nominate 
candidates for the Presidency. General Grant had lost much of hia 
popularity by extreme measures and the corruption prevalent among 
officials, and though some desired to nominate him for a third time, 
the general voice was against it. In the Republican Convention 
James G. Blaine, of Maine, and Roscoe Conkling, of New York, were 
the prominent candidates, but neither was able to secure the nomina- 
tion, which fell upon Rutherford B. Hayes, Governor of Ohio, William 
\. Wheeler being nominated as Vice-President. A Democratic Coa- 
vention, held at St. Louis, put forward Samuel J. Tilden, of New 
York, for the Presidency, and Thomas A. Hendricks, of Indiana, for the 
second position. There was a third jjarty, known as the Greenback 
party, which nominated Peter Cooper, of New York. The election 
was warmly contested. Hayes carried nearly all the Northern States. 
Tilden carried besides the South, the States of Connecticut, New York, 
New Jersey, and Indiana, giving him one hundred and eighty-four 
votes, one more vote being required to elect him. South Carolina, 
Florida, and Louisiana were claimed by both parties. The adminis- 
tration employed military force at the time of the election in the 
South and controlled the returns. In Louisiana the Democratis 
menabers of the Returning Board were excluded, but the return for- 
warded to Congress by the Governor gave the Tilden electors as 



ELECTION DEC1DE13 HY COMMISSION. 979 

chosen. The election turned at last on that State. Charges of fraud 
have ever since been made against the Republican claim to have car- 
ried Louisiana, and the weight of evidence is clearly against it. 

When the matter came before Congress, the Senate being Repub- 
lican accepted the Republican return ; the House of Representatives, 
which was Democratic, considered the Democratic return as the true 
one. As it seemed impossible to come to any agreement, an act was 
passed submitting the question to five members of each House and 
five associate Justices of the Supreme Court. The selection of Jus- 
tices gave three Republicans and two Democrats, and obedient to the 
dictates of party they decided in favor of the Republican electors from 
Louisiana, refusing to make any investigation into the alleged frauds. 
Accordingly Rutherford B. Hayes was declared President and Will- 
^am A. Wheeler, Vice-President. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

EUTHEEFOBD B. HATES, NINETEENTH PEESIDENT, 1877-1881. 

RuTHEBFOKB B. Hates was duly inaugurate March 4, 1877, by 
tie Chief- Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, Morrison 
R Waite He selected as his Cabinet William M. Evarts, of ^ew 
York, for Secretary of State ; John Sherman, of Ohio, for Secretary 
of the Treasury ; George W McCrary, of Ohio, for Secretly of War ; 
Rid^ard W. Thompson, of Indiana, for Secretary of the Navy ; Car 
Sohu«, of Missouri, for Secretary of the Interior ; Dav.d M. Key, of 



98° PRESIDENT haves' CONXILIATORY POLICY. 

Tennessee, for Postmaster-General ; and Charles Devins, of Massachu- 
setts, as Attorney-GeneraL 

Mr. Hayes entered upon his office with a disposition to conciliate 
the people of the South by arresting all the oppressive and vexatious 
measures which kept them from heartily sympathizing with the Fed- 
eral Government and the people of the other parts of the country. 
He withdrew the Uaited States troops from the South and left the 
people to manage their own concerns without interference from Wash- 
ington. He also purified the civil service by stopping much corrup- 
tion in office. :Slr. Hayes' leniency toward the Southern States aroused 
a strong opposition in those Eepublicans who still insisted on harsh 
measures, and who became known as Stalwarts. 

Early in Mr. Hayes' administration the decline in prices caused by 
the prospect of a resumption of specie payments produced great dis- 
tress in the country. During the war, specie-that is, silver and gold 
money-almost disappeared, and none was paid out by the banks for 
checks or their own notes. Specie was required to pav duties at the 
Custom-houses and to make payments in Europe, and those who were 
compeUed to obtain silver or gold coin were forced at one time to 
give two hundred and seventy dollars in bills for one hundred dollars 
m gold. After the end of the war the rate of gold declined, and the 
time was approaching when a paper doUar would be worth a .old 
dollar. Then the banks would again pay out gold and silver. mOe 
paper money was worth so little all prices rose, and now they were 
declining. Property was not worth so much. Manv merchants and 
bankers tailed. People whose property was mortgaged lost every- 
thing. Eailroad and other companies reduced the pay of the men in 
their employ. This led to fearful riots on the railroads in Marvland 



RESUMPTION OF SPECIE PAYMENTS. 98 1 

Pennsylvania, and other States, by which for a time all travel and 
transportation of goods were stopped. Troops were called out and 
the riots were at last suppressed, but not till great quantities of valu- 
able property had been destroyed. 

The use of the military under the direction of United States mar- 
shals in elections had been so arbitrary that the Democrats, on ob- 
taining a majority in the House of Representatives in 1877, insisted 
that no appropriation for the pay of marshals should be made without 
a clause depriving them of this power. This led to violent debates 
in Congress, to vetoes by the President, and to a bitter feeling in the 
country. Congress ended without making the appropriations for car- 
rying on the Government, and an extra session was called in vain. 

The next year the same struggle was renewed, and a law introduced 
to prevent the abuse of power by the marshals was vetoed by t.h 
President. 

This agitation roused a spirit in the North which greatly increase 
the strength of the Republican party. At the South the negroes took 
alarm and emigrated to the North and West in great numbers ; this 
led to great suffering, as their means were scanty, and no employment 
could be found for them. 

The year 1879 opened with a general resumption of specie pay- 
ments, and the business of the country gradually recovered. The ar- 
bitrary power given to the Indian agents over the tribes to which 
they were appointed led to troubles in this year. The Ute Indians 
killed their agent and subjected his family to great cruelty and hard- 
ship. A military force was sent against them, but the Indians, who 
have now the best arms, and skilful leaders, are not easily overcome. 
On this occasion they attacked Major Thornburgh, who was advancing 



9S2 ANTI-CHIXESE LAWS DEBT REDUCED. 

against them, killed that commander and ten of his men, and held the 
rest so closely besieged that they were rescued with great difficulty 
A sufficient army to reduce the Indians was then sent. 

During the years 1878 and 1879 several cities of the South, New 
Orleans, Vicksburg, and Memphis, with other smaller places, were vis- 
ited by yellow fever, which swept off great numbers of people, and 
compelled the rest to retire to camps in healthy localities. Physicians, 
clergymen, sisters of various orders, and other volunteer nurses haa 
tened to the relief of the sick, and the Howard Associations devoted 
themselves with great zeal to relieve the distressed. 

Among other events of this administration was a movement on the 
Pacific Coast against the Chinese. A large heathen population had 
come into the country, bringing all the vices that prevail in countries 
which have not fully received the light of revelation and the Gospel. 
There was a feeling in all classes that the introduction of these people 
by large Chinese companies, holding them really as slaves, ought to 
be stopped. A law passed Congress, but President Hayes vetoed it 
as conflicting with the treaty between the United States and China. 
;!l new treaty signed at Pekin in 1881 opened the way for laws to 
remedy all real evils. 

The resumption of specie payment and the general prosperity fol- 
lowing it enabled the Government to pay off much of the immense 
debt of the country, and for the remainder to issue bonds on which 
the country paid only four and four and a half per cent, interest. Th« 
debt of the United States on the 1st of January, 1866, had been two 
thousand eight hundred millions of dollars ; but eight hundred mil- 
lions were paid off by the close of the year 18S0. 

TTken the Republican Convention met in that year to nominate its 



POLITICAL DISSENSIONS IN BOTH LARTIES. 9S3 

candidate for the Presidential chair, a strong effort was made to put 
General Grant again forward, and three hundred and six votes were 
steadily given for him. The opposition was at first divided, but 
finally united on James A. Garfield, of Ohio, who had risen during 
the war to be a Major-General, and had been for years a prominent 
Member of Congress. Chester A. Arthur, of New York, was selected 
as candidate for Vice-President, the two candidates, it is somewhat 
curious to note, being from the same States as those nominated at the 
last election. On the Democratic side General Winfield Scott Han- 
cock was nominated for the Presidency, and W. H. English, of Indiana, 
for Vice-President. There was a lack of harmony in both parties ; the 
Republicans who had adhered to Grant showed little zeal for Gar- 
field, and the Democrats in New York were divided into two hostile 
factions. Owing to this dissension Garfield carried New York, with 
all the other Northern States, except New Jersey, California, and 
Nevada, and received a small majority of the popular vote. 

The validity of his election was not questioned, and the count was 
made in Congress without objection. 

CHAPTER XXH. 

JAMES A. GAEFIELD, TWENTIETH PRESIDENT, 1881. CHESTER A. 
ARTHUR, TWENTY-FIRST PRESIDENT, 1881-1885. 

Garfield's Cabinet-Difficulty as to New York Appointments-He is Shot by Guiteau-His Suffer- 
ings and Death-Foreign Sympathy-Arthur's Policy-Trial ^^ Guiteau-Apportxonment d 
Representatives-The Suppression of Polygamy in Utah- Arctic Explorations-The Brooklya 
Bridge— Election of Cleveland. 

Though Mr. Garfield had been elected by the full vote of his party, 
the dissensions among the Republicans had not been healed. The 
Senate for a time failed to organize, as the two factions could not 



9o4 NE\V VORK SENATORS RESIGN. 

agree in regard to the officers of the House. When that body was 
ready for the nominations of his Cabinet, Mr. Garfield sent in the 
names of James G. Blaine, of Maine, Secretary of State ; William 
Windom, of Minnesota, Secretary of the Treasury ; William H. Hunt, 
of Louisiana, Secretary of the Navy ; Robert F. Lincoln, of Illinois, 
Secretary of War ; Wayne McVeagh, of Pennsylvania, Attorney-Gen- 
eral ; Thomas L. James, of New York, Postmaster-General ; and Sam- 
uel J. Kirkwood, of Iowa, Secretary of the Interior. 

When President Garfield sent in to the Senate names for several 
offices in New York City, the two Senators from that State claimed a 
right to recommend candidates for them from their branch of the 
Republican party, and wished the President's nominations to be re- 
jected. The Senate declined to go so far, and the two Senators from 
New York resigned, hoping to be reappointed by the legislature of 
their own State. In this they were disappointed, there being mani- 
festly a wish to let President Garfield act freely. By this time the 
dissension in the Republican party had become intense, and in the 
newspapers and public meetings the most violent language was used 
by angry partisans. 

At Washington several treaties which had been nesrotiated with 
foreign countries were submitted to the Senate and approved. The 
immediate urgent business was completed, and President Gai-field 
prepared to visit a college where his son was to be graduated. On 
the 2d of July he proceeded to the station of the Baltimore and Poto- 
mac Railroad in Washington, and entered the building arm in arm 
with Secretary Blaine, when two pistol shots were fired at him from 
behind, one striking him in the back and passing nearly through his 
body. His assassin, Charles J. Guiteau, proclaiming himself a Stal- 



\ 
\ 



ASSASSINATION AND DEATH OF GARFIELD. 9S5 

wart, was seized, and proved to be a visionary politician, of depraved 
life, without any moral control, who had been an applicant for the 
position of Minister to Austria. The most eminent surgeons in the 
country attended the wounded President, but they could not trace the 
ball in its entire course, and failed to relieve him. The illustrious 
suflFerer sank gradually, and though he was removed to Long Branch 
in hope of invigorating his system, he expired on the 19th of Septem- 
ber. Queen Victoria and many high dignitaries in Europe sent the 
expression of their sympathy for Mrs. Garfield, and their sorrow at 
such a crime ; and when death closed the President's sufferings, the 
Courts of England, Belgium, and Spain put on mourning. 

The sympathy throughout the country for the widow was profound 
and general. Political animosity was silenced for a time by the ter- 
rible example of its fatal tendency. 

On the death of President Garfield, Chester A. Arthur took the 
oath of office in New York, and with the members of the Cabinet 
proceeded to Long Branch, and accompanied the remains of General 
Garfield to Washington. Here he was formally inaugurated on the 
22d. After his inaugural address he appointed as a day of fasting, 
humiliation, and prayer, the 26th, that set apart for the funeral of the 
late President at Cleveland. 

There had been a question whether the wound of the President did 
not create a disability which required Mr. Arthur to act in his stead 
till his recovery; but with delicacy and prudence he left the adminis- 
tration in the hands of the Cabinet, President Garfield affixing his 
fflgnature to some official acts. 

On his inauguration President Arthur requested the members of 
the Cabinet to retain their positions, but changes soon took place ; 



986 APrORTION-MEXT FOR REPRESENTATIVES. 

Frederick W. Frelinghuyben, of New Jersey, became Secretary of 
State, and a scheme of Mr. Blaine's for a Congress of the Spanish 
American States was abandoned. In time all the members of Gar- 
field's Cabinet retired except Mi-. Lincoln, who remained Secretary of 
"War till the close of the administration. 

The assassin of the late President had a long trial, in which every 
endeavor was made to prove him insane, but he was convicted and 
executed. 

In 1882 an act was passed to apportion the representatives in Con- 
gress to the result of the census of 1880, which showed the population 
of the country to be fifty millions. This is done after every census, 
and to prevent the House of Representatives from becoming too large, 
the number of inhabitants entitled to one representative is fixed. 
Each State then has the right to elect as many members of the House 
as the population divided by this number will give. Every State 
must have at least one representative, even if the population does not 
reach the number. In the apportionment of 1882 some of the new 
Western States gained representatives, but Maine, New Hampshire, 
and Vermont each lost one. 

The question of suppressing polygamy in Utah was taken up act- 
ively, and in lh82 a law introduced by Senator Edmunds, having 
passed both Houses of Congress, gave the first check to the polyga- 
mous practices of the Mormons, who had for years adopted polygamy 
as a part of the teachings of their Church, many of their leading men 
having a great number of wives. But the Mormons did not give up 
the system, although several were convicted and imprisoned. The 
power of the Mormon Church in the Territory is very great, and the 
repugnance to its teachings respecting marriage has thus far prevented 
its admission as a State. 



PANAMA CANAL — ARCTIC EXPLORATIONS. 987 

Under the guidance of De Lesseps, the projector of the Suez Canal, 
an attempt was made to cut a ship canal through the isthmus of 
Panama. Early in his administration President Arthur called the 
attention of Congress to the project, and to the necessity that the ■ 
United States should possess some control over it. Subsequently 
preparations were made by American capitalists to establish a ship 
canal through Nicaragua. When a similar project had been formed a 
quarter of a century before, the United States, in what is known as 
the Claytou-Bulwer Treaty, agreed to certain conditions in regard to 
it. That canal having never been built, the United States has re- 
garded itself free to act its pleasure as to any new canal scheme, 

Arctic explorations engaged public attention about this time, but 
though they drew forth much heroism and sufferings, no great results 
were attained. The Jeannette, sent out from San Francisco at the ex- 
pense of James Gordon Bennett, of the Nevj YorJc Herald, in 1879, to 
pass through Behring's Straits and follow the coasts of Asia and Eu- 
rope to the Atlantic, was crushed in the ice in June, 1881 ; one boat 
was lost, the crews of the others reached land, but all who accompa- 
nied Captain De Long perished from cold and hunger before the two 
sent for relief could return to them. The Greely expedition sent to 
the North, west of Greenland, underwent terrible sufferings, and the 
survivors were rescued when death was staring them in the face. 

The year 1883 was marked by the completion of an immense sus- 
pension bridge, uniting the cities of New York and Brooklyn, It has 
a span of fifteen hundred and ninety-live feet, the longest in the world, 
and is crossed by a hundred millions of people every year. 

When the Eepublican nominating Convention met at Chicago in 
1884, the great division in the party was still evident. James G. 



9S8 GROVER CLEVELAXD ELECTED PRESIDENT. 

Blaine, of Maine, was nominated for President, and John A. Logan 
for Vice-President ; the Democrats in their Conrention took up a new 
man, Grover Cleveland, who, from being Mayor of BufPalo, was elected 
Governor of the State of New York. Thomas A. Hendricks, of Indi- 
ana, was again put in nomination as Vice-President. Benjamin F. 
Butler, of Massachusetts, was also a candidate as the representative 
of the Greenback and Anti-Monopoly elements in the country. Those 
who wished a general prohibition of the sale of liquor also nominated 
Governor St. John, of Kansas, as a candidate, but the vote of tU 
country was given mainly to the candidates of the two great parties. 
The election was warmly contested, but there were signs that the old 
parties were breaking up. Many Eepublican papers favored Cleve- 
land, who received a considerable number of votes from the liberal 
members of that party; on the other hand, Cleveland was singularly 
distasteful to a large body of the Democrats in New York and eke- 
where, who threw their votes for Blaine. The issue at last turned 
©n New York, but when that State so far as the Democrats were oon, 
eerned seemed lost, a sudden change enabled Mr. Cleveland to carry 
ike State and secure his election. 



\ \ 



i 



CHAPTER XXIII. 
GROVER CLEVELAND, TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT— 1885. 

His Cabinet— Gen. Grant put on the Retired List— His Death at Mt. McGregor— Massacre of 
Chinese in Wyoming — Recognition of the International Association of the Congo — The Rights 
of American Fishermen questioned by Canada— American Fishing Vessels Seized— Death of 
Vice-President Hendricks— The " Knights of Labor" and tlieir tremendous power — The Labor 
Party — The Agitation of the Land Oueslion by Henry George — The large vote received by 
him as Candidate for Mayor of New York City — The Labor Agitation in Chicago— Dynamite 
Bombs thrown at the Chicago Police by Anarchists — The Trial and Execution of several of 
-their Leaders — President Cleveland's Message to Congress urging a reduction of the Treasury 
Surplus by a Reduction of the Duties on fmports — Congress enacts a law to provide for suc- 
cession to the Presidency in case of the death or disability of the Vice-President — The people 
of France present the Statue of " Liberty Enlightening the World " — Its Erection in New 
York Harbor — The Interstate Commerce Act— Great Destruction of Life and Property by 
the Charleston Earthquake— The Centennial of the Adoption of the Federal Constitution cel- 
ebrated at Philadelphia with great pomp in 1SS7 — The Presidential Campaign of 1888 — The 
Candidates of the Great Parties — The Question of Free Trade or Protection raised as an Issue 
— The Treaty respecting the Canadian Fishery Dispute rejected by the Senate — Dismissal of 
the British Minister by President Cleveland — Congress passes an Act to admit four new States 
— Demise of many distinguished men. including Chief Justice Waite, Lieut. -Gen. Sheridan, 
Gen. Logan, E.\-President Arthur, and Cardinal McCloskey. 

Grover Cleveland, the first Democratic candidate elected to the 
Presidency in nearly a quarter of a century, was duly inaugurated 
March 4th, 1885, with Thomas A. Hendricks, of Indiana, as Vice-Presi- 
dent. 

Those who anticipated sweeping and partisan changes were dis- 
appointed. Mr. Cleveland pursued a just and temperate course. 
His Cabinet consisted of Thomas F. Bayard, of Delaware, Secretary 
of State ; Daniel Manning, of New York, Secretary of the Treasury ; 
William C. Endicott, of Massachusetts, Secretary of War ; William 
C. Whitney, of New York, Secretary of the Navy ; William F. Vilas, 
Postmaster-General ; L. O. C. Lamar, Secretary of the Interior ; and 
Augustus H. Garland, of Arkansas, Attorney-General. 

Two days after his inauguration Mr. Cleveland signed the com- 

989 



990 U. S. GRANT CREATED GENERAL OF ALL ARMIES. 

mission of U. S. Grant as General on the retired list of the army It 
was the last tribute of the government to the great soldier already 
yielding to the disease of which he died, on the 23d of July, 1885 
at Mount McGregor, near Saratoga, New York. He was interred 
with the highest honors in Riverside Park, New York, at a spot over- 
looking the Hudson. 

The hostility to the Chinese on the Pacific side of the country 
resulted in a terrible massacre in Wyoming, in which many Chinese 
were killed by the miners. In his message, President Cleveland 
urged Congress to pass adequate laws to regulate the immigration of 
natives of the Empire of China. 

The International Association of the Congo was recognized by the 
United States, after which other powers followed our example. The 
Association was thus recognized as a government, and began its ben- 
eficial work in the heart of Africa. 

On our frontier the rights of American fishermen were not re- 
Bpected by the Canadian authorities, and the danger of violence led 
President Cleveland to call attention of Congress to the matter. Con- 
grees did not act on it, and in May, 1886, the Canadian government 
seized several American fishing vessels for purchasing bait in the 
ports of Nova Scotia. 

When Congress met in December, President Cleveland in his 
message notified the members of both Houses that he had withdrawn 
from the Senate a treaty with Nicaragua and one with Spain, not re- 
garding either as for the best interests of the United States. In the 
great question as to a canal or ship-railroad across Mexico or Central 
America, he favored the ship-railway by way of Tehuantepec, but in- 
sisted that the route must be neutral. He also advocated the nego- 



KNIGHTS OF LABOR HENRY GEORGE. 99 1 

tiation of a new extradition treaty with England, the suspension of 
the large coinage of silver, and the reduction of the tariff. 

In the disposal of the public lands millions of acres had been 
obtained by great railroad companies, who failed to meet their obli- 
gations. Other large tracts were obtained by speculators in Europe. 
To investigate and arrest this robbeiy of the public domain excited 
the care and vigilance of the President, who recommended strict regu- 
lations. 

Early in the Twenty-second Administration Vice-President Hen- 
dricks was carried off by a brief illness, dying on the 25th Novem- 
ber, 1885. His sudden decease deprived the Senate of its Constitu- 
tional presiding officer, and gave an additional proof of the necessity 
of providing by clear and definite provisions for the succession to the 
Presidency in case of death or inability. 

One of the remarkable events of this period was the growth ol an 
association, called "The Knights of Labor," a combination of Trades- 
Unions throughout the country. Where mechanics or other persons 
employed were dissatisfied with tlie hours of work or the remunera- 
tion ffiven, a strike could be ordered that would extend over the 
whole country. This ti'emendous power vrus first exercised in regard 
to the street railroads at St. Louis, in the spring of 1886, and was soon 
extended to railroads which traversed thousands of miles of territory. 
Trade and communication were crippled, riots ensued, and lives were 
lost. At East St. Louis much valuable railroad property was set on fire 
and destroyed. 

Everything seemed to show that a great Labor party would arise 
in the country, and agitators of various kinds began to appeal to the 
people. Henry George, in Xew York, denounced all ownership of 



992 TRIAL OF ANARCHISTS — TREASURY SURPLUS. 

land as illegal, and obtained so large a following, that when put up 
as a candidate for Mayor of the city, he secured 7(>,000 votes. At 
Chicago a set of men banded together to overturn all existing institu- 
tions in the country. When the police attempted to break up their 
meetings, where the wildest appeals to violence were made, these 
Anarchists prepared to begin their work of destruction. On the 5th 
of May, 1886, a meeting was held, and as the speaker, one Fielden, was 
exhorting the people to illegal acts, a police inspector, with a squad of 
his men, advanced and commanded the speaker to desist. A dynamite 
bomb was at once thrown down in front of the policemen ; it exploded, 
killing and wounding several of them, and the mob at once began to 
fire on the police. The fire was returned, and the rioters dispersed. 

Several of the Anarchist leaders were then arrested, brought to 
trial, and convicted. Some were condemned to death and executed, 
and others were sent to State prison. Although the open meetings of 
Anarchists and the circulation of their newspapers were thus checked, 
the secret plotting continued to menace the peace of the city. 

On the whole, however, the country was prosperous, and advanced 
in all departments. The tariff laid on foreign goods coming into 
the country brought in a large amount, and the money arising from 
the internal revenue collected from tobacco and distilled liquors, liad 
accumulated in the United States Treasury beyond the wants of 
Government. Great quantities of silver coin had been struck at the 
mints, and these accumulated in the Treasury, as they were not need- 
ed for circulation. The fact that in Europe silver was no longer a 
standard, made our coinage in that metal less acceptable to the people. 

As the surplus in the Treasury could not be applied to pay ofi" bonds 
not yet due, it became a question v/hat was to be done in regard to it. 



PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION ACT. 993 

President Cleveland in bis messages urged a reduction of the tariff, to 
be made judiciously, so as not to injure or destroj^ American factories 
which had 1>een established, and would suffer if foreign goods were at 
once brought into the country. No immediate action was taken by 
Congress, but before the close of the administration the question of 
Protection or Free Trade became the great issue before the country,— 
the Democrats advocating a reduction of the tariff, the Republicans 
denouncing them as advocates of Free Trade and enemies of American 

manufactui'es. 

It had four times in our history happened that a President of the 
United States died in office. William Henry Harrison and Zachary 
Taylor succuml:>ed to disease ; but what is more lamentable, Abraham 
Lincoln and James A. Garfield fell l.y the hand of assassins. In each 
of these cases the Vice-President became President of the United 
States; but several Vice-Presidents also died in office, and questions 
were raised from time to time as to the person who is to occupy the 
Presidential chair, in case both the Chief Magistrate and the Vice- 
President were removed by death. This was finally settled by an act 
of Congress, passed in January, ISSC. If hereafter it should unfortu- 
uately happen that death removed both the President and Vice-Presi- 
• dent, the Secretary of State becomes Chief Magistrate of the country. 
If his office should also be vacant the Secretary of the Treasury 
ascends the Presidential chair. The next in order are the Secretary 
of War, the Attorney-General, the Postmaster-General, the Secretary 
of the Navy, and the Secretary of the Interior. As the members of 
the Cabinet form the Council of the President and are all famdiar 
with Ms policy and his views, the selection of members of this body 
ensures a continuance of the same ideas, and does much to prevent 
sudden and disastrous changes in the administration of affairs. 



994 INTERSTATE COMMERCE ACT — CHARLESTON EARTHQUAKE. 

A fine bronze statue of " Liberty Enlightening the "World," by the 
sculptor Bartholdi, was presented by the people of France to the citi- 
zens of this country. It was received in 1886, and the Federal Gov- 
ernment authorized its erection on Bedloe's Island, in New York 
Harbor. It was duly inaugurated on the •24th of October, 1886, with 
great pomp, the President responding to the address of presentation 
made by de Lesseps, who had projected and carried out the Suez Canal. 

Among the important acts passed by Congress was one induced by 
the arbitrary conduct of the great railroad companies. The Constitu- 
tion of the United States empowered Congress to regulate commerce 
between the several States, and thus to regulate railroads passing from 
one State to another. The Interstate Commerce Act compelled the 
railroads to adopt uniform rates, projtortioned to distance, and pre- 
vented unjust discrimination in favor of great corporations. 

Earthquakes had been comparatively rare in the United States, 
especially on the Atlantic coast, but they have increased in number, 
though seldom very violent. In the summer of 188G South Carolina 
was visited by the most violent earthquake ever known in our coun- 
try. The city of Charleston suffered most severely, nearly all the 
buildings in the city being more or less injured by the shocks, which 
continued from August 27th to September 1st. Many persons were 
killed by falling buildings, and people fled from their homes and en- 
camped in the streets. The shocks were felt over a large extent of 
country, but the damage done was slight compared to what was 
suffered in Charleston. 

The year 1887 concluded the century from the adoption of the pres- 
ent Constitution of the United States. Preparations were made to 
celebrate at Philadelphia, where the Convention met in 1787. During 



BENJAMIN HARRISON ELECTED PRESIDENT. 995 

the month of September there were, for three days, military and civil 
parades, addresses, and exhibitions. President Cleveland on the i 7th 
delivered an address, which was warml)^ received. 

The year i88S was a period of much political agitation. The 
main issue of the campaign turned on the reduction of the tariff, the 
Republicans opposing a bill introduced for that purpose, and declar- 
ing that it would ruin American manufacturers and throw thousands 
of operatives out of work. 

The Democrats nominated Grover Cleveland again for President, 
and Allen G. Thurman, of Ohio, for Vice-President ; the Republicans 
put forward as their candidates, Benjamin Harrison, of Indiana, for 
President, and Levi P. Morton, of New York, for Vice-President. 

The great Labor party, which was expected to exercise a great influ- 
ence in the Presidential election, owing to dissensions dwindled away. 
The Prohibition party, which advocated the suppression of all distiller- 
ies and breweries, and the prohibition of all sales of intoxicating liq- 
uors, nominated candidates, but they did not exercise any perceptible 
influence. The struggle was confined mainly to the two great parties. 

The canvass was marked by great warmth, and during it a treaty 
concluded with England to adjust the fishery troubles with Canada 
was rejected by the Senate. The indiscretion of the British Min- 
ister at Washington in replying to a letter on this matter, written to 
produce a political effect, led to his dismissal by the President. 

When the election came off, the result was unfortunately almost 
absolutely a sectional one, all the Southern States giving their vote 
to the Democratic candidate, while every Northern State, except New 
Jersey and Connecticut, cast its vote for Mr. Harrison, who was 
elected, althouo-h Mr. Cleveland received the largest popular vote. 



99° FOUR NEW STATES ADMITTED. 

One of the last acts that marked the administration of Grover 
Cleveland was a bill admitting as States of the Union North and 
South Dakota, Montana, and Washington. These Territories had 
increased greatly in population and wealth. 

Efforts were made to secure the admission of Utah, but the Mor- 
mon power there was still regarded as dangerous to the public good, 
although polygamy had been checked by the Edmunds bill. ^New 
Mexico, although containing a large enough population, was still ex- 
eluded. 

During Mr. Cleveland's administration an attempt was made to 
settle the Canadian fishery question. A treaty was concluded with 
England, but it was rejected by the Senate. 

Among the distinguished men of the country who died during the 
term of Mr. Cleveland, were Chief-Justice Waite. of the Supreme 
Court ; Lieut.-General Philip H. Sheridan ; General John A. Logan ; 
Chester A. Arthur, ex-President of the United States; and Carclinal 
John McCloskey, the first native of this country created Cardinal in 
the Catholic Church. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

BENJAMIN HARRISON, TWENTY-THIRD PRESIDENT— 1889. 

The Cabinet of President Harrison— Cyclone at Apia-Samoa— Creation of Four New States 
— First Session of Pan-American Congress — Deatli of Generals Terry, Slierman, Jolinston 
and Admiral Porter— Trouble with Chili— Ship •' New York " launched— Celebration in Honor 
of Cohmibus — Death of Gen. Butler, Hon. Jas. G. Blaine and Gen. Beauregard — Protectorate 
Declared at Hawaii — Election of Cleveland. 

Be.N7.\mi.\ H.vrrison was inaugurated as President of the United 
States on the 4th of March, 1SS9, the oath of office being adminis- 
tered by Chief-Justice Fuller. Levi P. Morton was at the same 
time inaugurated as Vice-President. 

For his Cabinet President Harrison selected James G. Blaine, of 
Maine, as Secretary of State ; Redfield Proctor, of Vermont, as 
Secretary of War ; B. F. Tracy, of New York, Secretary of the 
Navy ; William Windom, of Minnesota, as Secretary of the Treasury ; 
J.W. Noble, of Missouri, Secretary of the Interior ; John Wanamaker, 
of Pennsylvania, Postmaster-General ; W. H. H. Miller, of Indiana, 
Attorney-General ; and the new department of Agriculture was 
filled by J. M. Rusk, of Wisconsin, as Secretary. These nominations 
were confirmed by the Senate, and appeared to give general satis- 
faction. 

One of the earliest events that marked the administration of Mr. 
Harrison was the occurrence of a terrible cyclone at Apia, in Samoa, 
March 15, 18S9. Owing to German interference in the affairs of 
these islands, three United States vessels, the Vaudalia, the A^i'psn, 
and the Trenton, were lying in the harbor of Apia to protect Amcn- 

997 



99S CENTENNIAL OF WASHINGTON'S INAUGURATION. 

can interests. Three German war vessels were also there. When 
the cyclone came up the American vessels, which were short of coal, 
were unable to put to sea, and were driven on the coral reefs. 
The Vandalia and Trenton were totally wrecked, but there was 
some hope of saving the Nipsic. In all, four officers and forty-six 
men were lost, including Captain Schoonmaker, of the Windalia. It 
was one of the saddest disasters in the annals of the American navy.* 
On April 29, i88g, the date of the Centennial celebration of the 
Inauguration of Washington, President Harrison journeyed to New 
York. Following the plan of the arrival of Washington a century 
before, the Presidential party arrived at Elizabeth, New Jersey. 
Here they joined in a procession to Elizabethport, under a shower 
of " roses in bud and blossom." At the water side the President 
and the s^entlemen of his escort embarked aboard the steamer Dc- 
spatch, to be carried to New York. Twelve old, retired sea captains 
were to row the President ashore at Wall Street, where he stepped 
on a float -covered with purple cloth. April 30, 1889, '^^^^ the looth 
anniversary of Washington's inauguration. Public attention was 
centered on old St. Paul's church, which contained the pew in which 
Washington worshipped. The church was gaily decked with the 
nation's colors and one pair of the royal standards of France. After 
the address the procession formed and moved to the platform at the 
Sub-Treasury building. Mr. Chauncey M. Depew, the orator of 
the occasion, spoke, and President Harrison followed with a short 
address. Meanwhile the great military display was under way in 
Broadway, numbering nearly 52,000 persons, and from the Sub 

* This paragr.-iph is the final one written for the work by Doctor Shea's own hand he having departed 
from this life before the following pages were completed : — Editor. 



FOUR NliW STATES — I'AN-AMKKICAN COMPRESS. 999 

Treasury the President and principal personages were driven to the 
reviewing stand at Madison Square. 

The second session of the Fifty-first Congress began on the first 
Monday in December, 1889. The President in his Message reiter- 
ated with emphasis his sentiments concerning revenue reforms. The 
most important act of this session was the creation of four new 
States : Washington North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana. 
The President signed the billon the 22d of February, 1889. In 
January, 1889, a committee of nine members of the House was ap- 
pointed on the World's Fair, and an Act was approved in the same 
session of Congress to provide for celebrating the 400th anniversary 
of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus, by holding 
an International Exhibition of arts, industries, manufactures, and the 
products of the soil, mine, and sea, in the city of Chicago, in the 
State of Illinois. 

The first session of the Pan-American Coneress met in Washinf- 
ton on October 2, 18S9, and Hon. J. G. Blaine, Secretary of State, 
was elected President of the Conq-ress. Bv the middle of March, 
1890, the Congress had agreed upon the common principles which 
should govern the legislation of all American States. Through the 
passage of an Act of the United States Congress, the scheme of ar- 
bitration, the great continents were dedicated to peace. The prop- 
ositions for a o-feat trunk railwav, government subsidies for steam- 
ship lines connecting the American countries represented, uniform 
protection for literary and art property, trade-marks and patents, 
uniform quarantine regulations, a uniform extradition treaty, and a 
great international bank, were unanimously adopted except by a 
small minority upon the question of the extradition treaty. 



lOOO SAMOAN COMMISSION BIG FOOT INCITES THE SIOUX. 

Mr. Phelps of the Samoan Commission arrived from Germany in 
June, 1889, and brought the treaty of the Congress at Beriin, wliich 
was published in February, 1890. The Samoan King, Malietoa, was 
to be restored ; an Advisory Committee, to be formed for the king, 
one to be selected by him, three by Samoans and one each by Ger- 
many, Great Britain, and the United States. 

In the summer of 1S90 Major-General Miles, of the Division of 
the Missouri, received proofs of what promised to be a future Indian 
war. In the latter part of Novemberthe Indians gathered in bands, 
and in December the Indian situation was looked upon with anxiety. 
After the death of Sitting Bull, killed by one of his own race. Big 
Foot became the leader of the fanatical Sioux. 

General Miles had concentrated his troops in the Northwest to 
be ready should there be necessity for them. The Seventh Cavalry 
were in camp at Pine Ridge, and early in December some of the 
cavalrymen were in the valley at the Catholic Mission. On the 26th 
of December the Seventh Cavalry was ordered to Wounded Knee 
Creek. The First Battalion, commanded by Major Whitside, was 
ordered to capture and disarm Big Foot's band of Minneconjoux 
Sioux, or in event of their resistance to destroy them, The Indians 
were discovered fourteen miles away. They displayed the white 
flag. Leaving one-fourth of the troopers to hold horses, the line of 
battle under Major Whitside had 170 men and 10 officers. After a 
short conference Bier Foot surrendered with 120 warriors, well armed 
and supplied with ammunition, who were escorted to the camp at 
Wounded Knee, near which offound was assigned for their village. 
A message was despatched to General Brooks, who sent the Second 
Battalion with General Forsyth, which reached Wounded Knee at 



INDIAN UPRISING IN NORTH-WEST. lOOI 

8:3c 1'. .M. Two Hotchkiss guns, with a detachment of Battery E, 
First Artillery, also arrived. At 8 a. m. of the 29th, in a conference 
with the head men, General Forsyth explained what was required, 
that they should give up their arms. Men were sent to their village 
for them, but none were to be found. It being evident the bucks 
were armed, personal search was necessary. At this point the 
" painted, begrimed fanatics sprang as one man," flung off their 
blankets and began emptying their magazine rifles into the ranks of 
the soldiers. The Are was returned instantly and with great effect. 
After a desperate struggle of a few minutes the surviving bucks 
made a headlong rush for the village, and thence into an adjacent 
ravine. There they met death from the troops disposed on that side. 
The troops of the Second Battalion were mounted. They soon 
completed the destruction of Big Foot's band. Of the warriors, 
eighty-nine are known to have died,, and ten to have been badly 
wounded. Many Indian women and children were unavoidably 
killed or wounded, and the Seventh Cavalry lost heavily in dead 
and disabled soldiers. The Second Battalion had four killed and 
one wounded, while the artillery's loss was but one wounded. 

The followinor illustrious leaders of the Civil War died during the 
winter of 1S90 and 1891 : General Alfred H. Terry, in New Haven, 
Conn., December i6th, 1890, of whom the Secretary of War, in an- 
nouncing his death, said : " He was an ideal soldier and gentleman, 
whose honest, truthful and upright life gained him the esteem of all 
who knew him." Admiral D. D. Porter, the last full admiral in the 
navy, died in Washington, D. C, on February 13th, 1891, and was 
buried in the National Cemetery at Arlington, Va., with honors 
befitting his rank. General William T. Sherman, the last with, the 



I002 INTERNATIONAL QUESTIONS — MINISTER EAGAN S ACTION. 

full rank, died in New York. His funeral was attended, February 
igth, with distinguished honors in that city and every mark of deep 
affection and esteem followed while en route to the place of entomb- 
ment at St. Louis. Ex-Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston, 
who had served as a pall-bearer at the funerals of Admiral Porter and 
General Sherman, died about a month after his friend, the General, 
being over eighty years of age. 

The killing, at New Orleans, of some Italian desperadoes, on 
March 14th, 1891, by a vigilance committee, so embarrassed the re- 
lations of the United States with the Italian Government that their 
minister. Baron Fava, was recalled. After diplomatic correspon- 
dence between the two governments, the United States paid an in- 
demnity to the families of the Italian victims. 

In the summer of 1889, the British-American Association published 
a protest against the appointment of Mr. Patrick Egan as United 
States Minister to Chili. In the fall of 1891 Minister Egan and 
Captain Schley, of the Baltiinorc, reported that Charles Riggin, one 
of the Ballhnore's petty ofificers, was brutally assaulted by several 
Chilians while he was ridinij in a street car. Riggin resisted, but 
was dragged from the car and murdered, by a pistol shot, in the 
arms of his companions. Turnbull, an engineer or fireman, was 
wounded, and subsequently died. Thirty-five of the Baltunore s 
crew were arrested with unnecessary violence and detained without 
due cause. The surgeons of the Baltimore were of the opinion that 
some of the wounds of the unarmed sailors were inflicted by bay- 
onets, which were the arms of the police. Under instructions from 
our Government, Mr. Egan demanded of the Chilian authorities 
reparation for the insults and injuries, and the ships Boston and 



CHILI I'AVS IXDEMMTV THE SEAL FISHERY (QUESTION. IOO3 

Yorktown were sent on their way to Chili. Early in February, 1892, 
the President in his message stated the situation of affairs between 
the United States and Chili ; some of the communications from the 
southern country had been offensive. The United States sustained 
the President in his claim for indemnity against Chili for, and con- 
demned its ill-treatment of. United States sailors. At lencrth, through 
Seiior Montt, Chili agreed to pay an indemnity of $75,000. 

During the summer of 1891, by act of Congress, the seal fishery 
was to be protected from extermination. The copyright law went 
into effect, and a long contest was settled. After about five years of 
diplomatic correspondence, an agreement was entered into between 
the United States and Great Britain to submit to arbitration the 
question of the seal fishery in the Behring Sea. 

In December, 1891, the large ship A^ijzc/ J'i^r/C' was launched. In 
his message, President Harrison approved of the McKinley bill, 
while he expressed the opinion that the free coinage of silver would 
prove a misfortune. May loth, 1892, the President laid the corner- 
stone of a monument to be erected at Riverside Park, New York 
city, to the memory of General U. S. Grant. The ceremonies were 
of a highly impressive character. 

The four hundredth anniversary of the sailing of Christopher 
Columbus from Palos on his voyage of discovery to the western 
hemisphere was celebrated at Huelva, near Palos, and the Convent 
Santa Maria de la Rabida on August 3d, 1892. The United States 
was represented by the flag-ship Newark and the gunboat Benm7ig- 
ton, wdiile Spain furnished a caravel, the Sania Maria, built after 
the model of the one on which Columbus sailed. During the next 
few weeks tlie fleet slowly made its way to Italy and Genoa, where 



I004 CELEBRATIONS OF THE SAILING OF COLUMBUS. 

Columbus was born, where the fleet was received by King Humbert 
of Italy, and in the city, in honor of the Genoese discoverer, was an 
" Espisizione Italo Americano." The court remained in Madrid 
until October 7th, when the Queen Regent and a royal party left for 
Seville, and this was practically the beginning of Spain's great cele- 
bration in honor of Columbus. At the same time the United States 
gunboat Be7inington, with the caravels Pinia and Nina in tow, ar- 
rived at Gibraltar. The warship was to take the caravels to Huelva, 
where they were to take part in the Columbus celebration. It is 
safe to say that not in many years did Spain witness such a celebra- 
tion as marked the anniversary of the day when, aided by the rulers 
of Spain, Columbus gave a new continent to the world and added 
such vast possessions to his sovereign's dominions. 

The celebration in honor of Christopher Columbus thus com- 
menced in Spain on the 3d of August, 1892, by the commemoration 
of the sailing of the Santa Maria, was followed by the Italian cele- 
bration. In the United States the initiative had been taken by the 
city of New York, where an elaborate pageantry lasted for three 
days, October loth, iith, and 12th. The Congress of the United 
States provided for a further celebration of the historic event by a 
World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago, and a grand naval dis- 
play in New York harbor in 1893. ^'^ invitation was extended to 
the King and Queen Regent of Spain and the descendants of Co- 
lumbus to participate in the exposition. 

The funeral of Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, of Massachusetts, took 
place at Lowell in that State, January 16, 1893. Ex-President Ruth- 
erford B. Hayes died at Fremont, Ohio, of neuralgia of the heart, 
Jan. 17, 1893. Hon. James G. Blaine, ex-Secretary of State of the 



\ 



c 



» 



HAWAII UNDER OUR FLAG— PROTECTORATE DECLARED. IOO5 

United States, died January 27, 1893, and his funeral partook of the- 
nature of a public demonstration. Pierre Gustave Toussaint Beau- 
reaard, general in the service of the late Confederacy during the 
Ci°vil War, died in New Orleans, on Monday, February 20th, of 
heart failure. He was born in New Orleans in 1818. He was so 
onnected with the fall of Fort Sumter on April 13, 1861. that his 
name was then carried throughout the country. 

On the 22d of February, 1893 (Washington's Birthday), Presi- 
dent Harrison raised the Stars and Stripes on the Ncza York, which 
had become an American ship, thus inaugurating the revival of the 

American marine. 

In February, 1893, the following information was sent to the Gov- 
ernment of the United States: " February 9. Hawaii under our 
flacr A protectorate declared ten days ago. Responsibd.ty as- 
sumed by Minister Stevens, pending the result of the negotiations 
at Washington. The British minister recognized the provisional 
o-overnment." The administration of Benjamin Harrison, who had 
failed to receive a re-election to the Presidency, closed March 4. 
.893, with a treaty for the annexation of Hawaii to the United 

States pending. 

Thus, .car 1. the ,„iddle of the Columbia,, year, the clos.ng of 
,he administratio,, found .he couutry at peace .ith all nations, wtth 
no espeeially harassing questions .hlch the Govetnntent or co.nts of 
arbitration cotdd not adjudicate. The President-elect, Gro.er Cle e- 
,,„a, arrived at the national capital with his fan,i y. on Thursday, 
the 3d of March, and took roouts at the Arlington Hotel. 



\ 



\ 



CHAPTER XXV. 

GROVER CLEVELAND, TWENTY-FOURTH PRESIDENT, 1893.— HIS 
SECOND ADMINISTRATION. 

Cabinet Appointed — Naval Display on the Atlantic Coast — President Cleveland Opens the 
World's Columbian Exposition — Infanta Eulalia Entertained — President Cleveland's Mes- 
sage to Congress — United States Warships take part at the Opening of the Canal at Kiel. 
Germany — Utah Admitted to the Union — Provisional Government Established in Cuba — 
Money Appropriated by Congress to Defray Joint Expenses of the International Commission 
Engaged in Locating Boundary Line between the Territory of Alaska and British North 
America — The Chinese Viceroy, Li Hung Chang, a Guest of the Nation — Republican Na- 
tional Convention Declares for a Protective Tariff — Democratic National Convention Favors 
the Free Coinage of Silver — McKinley Elected — McKinley Inaugurated — In Inaugural he 
Recommends a Currency Commission and International Bimetalism. 

Grover Cleveland, who had served a term as the twenty-second 
President of the United States, was inaugurated the twenty-fourth 
President of the United States, March 4, 1893. The following citi- 
zens were nominated by President Cleveland as his official advisers : 

Secretary of State, Walter O. Gresham, of Indiana; Secretary of 
the Treasury, John G. Carlisle, of Kentucky; Secretary of War, 
Daniel S. Lamont, of New York ; Secretary of the Navy, Hilary A. 
Herbert, of Alabama ; Secretary of the Interior, Hoke Smith, of 
Georgia ; Secretary of Agriculture, J. Stirling Morton, of Nebraska; 
Postmaster-General, Wilson S. Bissell, of New York ; Attorney- 
General, Richard Olney, of Massachusetts. 

The Exposition Act provided for a naval rendezvous at Hampton 

Roads, Virginia, and a naval parade and review at New York. The 

attention of the country turned to hospitality not only toward all 

nations, but also to the descendants of Columbus, and to a princess 

of the royal house of Spain, in the persons of Duke de Veragua and 

his family and the Infanta Eulalia, aunt to the King and sister of the 

Queen Regent, who were to become the guests of the United States. 

1006 



COI.UMIUAX EXPOSITION—" THE WIUTE CITY." IOO7 

The prescribed programme for the naval display on the Atlantic 
coast was successfully carried out, and President Cleveland with 
those who accompanied him left for Chicago April 28th, the day of 
the land parade. On May ist, escorted by troops of cavalry, the 
descendant of Columbus, the Duke de Veragua and his suite, went 
from his hotel to that of President Cleveland, at Chicago, whence, 
accompanied by members of his cabinet and a cortege of officials 
representino- the World's Columbian Exposition, the State of Ilhno.s. 
and the city of Chicago, the route was taken to the buildings of the 
'• White City " There President Cleveland pressed an electnc but- 
ton at noon, and the machinery started in motion in the presence of 
nearly 1.9.000 persons, and the World's Columbian Exposition was 

declared opened. 

May 3., 1895, the remains of Jefferson Davis, who -s president 
of the States called the Southern Confederacy during the Ovd U ar. 
arrived from New Orleans, via Montgomery, Atlanta and Rale.gh, 
and were reinterred at Richmond, Va., with much ceremony, sur- 
rounded by a large concourse of people. 

On J.nc 30. .893. the President of .he United S*"- .ssued a 
proCantation convening both Hou.e. of the Congress of the Un.ted 
States at the city of Washington on the 7.h day of August, h= 

end that the people n,ay be relieved through legislat.on from present 
and impending danger and distress." , , ■ „, .he 

On July ;th, ,8«, the Infanta F.ulalia and Pr.nce Anto.n 
„yal ouse of Spain, had returned to Madrid fron, the.r v,s., to *e 
uLted States, and were received at the station by the Queen Re- 
,rent and the Princess Isabella, 

On August 9th, ,893. President Cleveland sent a n,essage ,o 



I008 REPEAL OF THE SlJERMAiN SILVER BILL. 

extra session of Congress. He urged the prompt repeal of the silver 
act of July 14, 1890. The act to repeal a part of an act approved 
July 14, 1890, "directing the purchase of silver bullion and the issue 
of Treasury notes thereon, and for other purposes " was approved 
November i, 1893. On October 28, joint resolutions were ap- 
proved that " the acknowledgments of the government and peoplr 
of the United States be tendered to various foreign governments of 
the world who have participated in the commemoration of the dis- 
covery of America by Christopher Columbus." 

In 1893 an event occurred which stirred public interest to an un- 
usual degree. It was the appointment of Mgr. Satolli as Papal Dele- 
gate to the Catholic Church in the United States ; this marked the 
beginning of a new era. Formerly it was necessary to carry all ques- 
tions of appeal arising among churchmen to Rome ; but the appoint- 
ment of an Apostolic Delegate rendered it possible to have these 
cases speedily heard and determined in this country. Coincident 
with his coming hither as Papal Delegate, Mgr. Satolli was also dele- 
gated to represent the Pope at the opening of the Columbian E.xpo- 
sition in Chicago. In 18S9 he had been deputed by His Holiness, 
Leo XIII., to represent him at Baltimore, on the occasion of the 
centenary of the Catholic hierarchy in the United States, and of the 
inauguration of the Catholic University in Washington. On this 
latter occasion Mgr. .Satolli had the honor of meeting President Har- 
rison and members of the Cabinet. 

In January, 1896, prior to the appointment of his successor, in rec- 
ognition of the successful manner In whicli he had conducted his 
mission, Archbishop Satolli was raised to the dignity of Cardinal, 
according to tlie well-known axiom of the Church, '' provwvcatur nt 



ROME SENDS APOSTOLIC DELEGATES. IOO9 

amoveahir "—in order to relieve one from office, he should be pro- 
moted to a higher one. 

His Grace Sebastiano Martinelli, Archbishop of Ephesus and head 
of the Augustinian order in the whole world, was appointed second 
Papal Delegate in the United States ; he arrived in New York Octo- 
ber 3rd, 1896, and after a brief stay in that city, proceeded to Washing- 
ton and entered on the duties of his office. The official notification 
of his appointment dates from August 27th, 1896, and confirms His 
Excellency in all the powers and prerogatives enjoyed by his prede- 
cessor, Cardinal Satolli. The coming of Archbishop Martinelli was 
regarded as a very important event confirming the permanency of the 
Delegation here, as also bringing a period of greater calm to the 
Churdi after the necessary agitation incident to the coming of his 

predecessor. 

In December, 1893, decisions were made concerning the Govern- 
ment of Hawaii, and an act was introduced in Congress to reduce 
taxation, to provide revenue for the Government, etc. December 19. 
T893.this act became a law by expiration of time allowed by the 
Constitution, August 27, 1894. ^^ midnight. 

A resolution was passed by Congress, February 20, 1895, that 
Great Britain and -Venezuela refer their dispute in relation to boun- 
daries to abitration, was recommended to both parties. 

The United -States warships, Nn. York, San Francisco and 
Marblehead, took part in the imposing ceremonies at the openu.g of 
the canal at Kiel, Germany, on June .9th and 20th. 

On December 3, 1895, President Cleveland sent his annual mes- 
sage to Congress. In it he spoke of foreign relations and finance, 
.nd on December ,7, .895. he sent another message to Congress 



/ 



^°'° 'i'Hi^ VENEZUELA BOUNDARV DISPUTE. 

relative to the Venezuela boundary dispute. In it he considered the 
Monroe doctrine and its application, and in most decisive manner 
spoke for the protection of our national strength and for its "self- 
respect and honor," which shield and defend a "people's safety and 
greatness." This message was approved by all parties throughout 
the country, and the Monroe doctrine was most thoroughly" con- 
sidered, statistically and historically, in every direction. 

In President Cleveland's message on the \'enezuelan question, 
there was the suggestion that the Congress should make " an ade- 
quate appropriation for the expenses of a commission, to be appointed 
by the Executive, who should make the necessary investigation and 
report upon the matter with the least possible delay," and that an 
examination should be prosecuted " to determine with sufficient cer- 
tainty for its justification what is the divisional line between the 
republic of Venezuela and British Guiana." This suggestion had the 
distinct approval of Congress, the correspondence between the State 
Department and the British Foreign Office touching the Venezuela 
boundary dispute having been sent to Congress with the message. 
The suggestion of a commission met with approval, and January 2, 
1896, the nominations for the Venezuelan Commission were made 
known. The members were Judges Brewer and Alvey, Mr. White 
the historian ; Professor Oilman the geographer ; Mr. Frederick 
Coudert the lawyer, and Mr. Severo Malet Prevost, secretary. It 
met at Washington January 4, 1896, with weekly sessions thereafter. 
The speech from the throne had been indicative of an equitable 
arrangement between Oreat Britain and the United States, and the 
president of England's Geographical Society assisted the commission 
with maps and information. By March 5, 1896, England's case was 



UTAH ADMITTED CUBA DECLARES INDEPENDENCE. lUII 

made up by Sir Frederick Pollock's report, and on March nth the 
Commission was in possession of the statement of the republic of 

Venezuela. 

Utah was admitted as the forty-f^fth State of the Union by the 
proclamation of the President. January 4, 1896, and Herbert M. 
Wells was inaugurated its first governor. 

The Cubans had declared themselves independent of the Spanish 
monarch, February 24, 1895, and a communication to this effect was 
sent to the United States Government. A provisional government 
was established. On July 30. 1896. President Cleveland issued a 
strong proclamation, warning citizens of the United States against 
filibustering or otherwise violating neutrality laws in connection with 
the Cuban'insurrection, and referring to the similar proclamation ol 
June. 1895. Resolutions were introduced in Congress several times. 
which were undecisive. It was resolved "That the friendly offices 
of the United States should be offered by the President to the 
Spanish Government for the recognition of the independence of 
Cuba" In his message to Congress, 1896, President Cleveland 
treated of the cause of Cuba, at which the independent organs of 
Madrrd showed irritation because of interference on the part of 
America. The United States had many times in previous years un- 
formed France and Great Britain of its position with regard to Cuba 

and Spain. 

Concurrent resolutions of Congress were passed by the Senate. 
January 24. 1896, and by the House. January 37, 1896. relatmg to 
the supplementary treaty of Berlin of July 13. 1878. which concluded, 
"Resolved, that the President be requested to communicate these res- 
olutions to the governments of Great Britain. Germany. Austria. 



10I2 LI HUNG CHANG, THE NATIONS GUEST. 

France, Italy, and Russia. Resolved, further, that the Senate of the 
United States, the House of Representatives concurring, will support 
the President in the most vigorous action he may take for the protec- 
tion and security of American citizens in Turkey, and to obtain redress 
for injuries committed upon the persons or property of such citizens." 

Joint resolutions were passed in Congress, February 20, 1896, ap- 
propriating $75,000 to defray the joint expenses of the international 
commission engaged in locating the boundary line between the Terri- 
tory of Alaska and British North America. 

An act repealing the following section of the Revised Statutes, 
" No person who held a commission in the army or navy of the 
United States at the beginning of the late rebellion and afterward 
served in any capacity in the military, naval, or civil service of the 
so-called Confederate States, or of either of the States in insurrec- 
tion during the rebellion, shall be appointed to any position in the 
army or navy of the United States," became a law March 31, 1896. 

By August 22, 1896, the arrangements for the reception and enter- 
tainment of the Chinese Viceroy, Li Hung Chang, as the guest of 
the nation, were perfected. On August 28, 1896, the distinguished 
visitor arrived in port. Major-General Thomas Ruger, Commander 
of the Department of the East, as the representative of President 
Cleveland, with a full staff of officers, received the Viceroy. August 
30th the Viceroy was received in New York by the President of the 
United States. Subsequently he visited Washington and other cities 
where he was enthusiastically received, and after many official and 
civic honors had been bestowed upon him, he departed, September 
7th via Canada Pacific Railroad, to take the steamer Empress of 
China, which was to convey him to his own shores. 



INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT MCKINLEY. IOI3 

The Republican National Convention met in St. Louis, Mo., June 
1 6th, and adopted a platform declaring for a protective tariff and reci- 
procity, opposed the unlimited free coinage of silver, except by inter- 
national agreement, and asserted the " Monroe doctrine." William 
McKinley, of Ohio, and Garret A. Hobart, of New Jersey, were 
nominated as the candidates for President and Vice-President. 

The National Convention of the Democratic party was held in Chi- 
cago July 7th, and adopted a platform favoring the free and un- 
Hntlted coinage of silver by the United States, independently of 
other nations, at the ratio of sixteen to one, and William J. Bryan, 
of Nebraska, and Arthur Sewall, of Maine, were nominated for Presi- 
dent and Vice-President respectively. The action of this convent.on 
led to the call for a convention at Indianapolis, September 2d, at wh.ch 
aplatform favoring " sound money - was adopted, which was indorsed 
by Mr Cleveland and his administration. Other conventions were 
held and after an earnest and exciting campaign William McKinley, 
of Ohio, and Garret A. Hobart, of New Jersey, the Republican nomi- 
nees were elected by the vote of the Electoral College of .73 to ' 71- 
The popular vote, however, was almost evenly divided between the 

nominees of the two great parties. 

The second session of the Flfty-fourth Congress expired at noon 
March 4. .897. and was immediately followed by the Inauguration of 
Garret A. Hobart, of New Jersey, as the twenty-fourth V.ce-Pres - 
dent, and William McKinley as twenty-fifth President of the United 
States In his inaugural address the President recommended a cu,- 
.ency commission, international bimetalism, economy In e^P-^--^ 
and an Increase of revenue ; reciprocity and the treaty of arbitration 

were favored. 



THE WAR WITH SPAIN 

— AND — 

McKiNLEY's Administration, 



A SPECIAL session of the Fifty-fifth Congress was called by President Mc- 
Kinley, to which he sent his first message on March 15, 1S97, just eleven 
days after his inauguration. This message concluded with these words : — 
" Before other business is transacted let us first provide sufficient revenues 
to faithfully administer the Government without the contracting of further 
debt or the disturbance of our finances." Mr. Dingley of Maine on the 
same day introduced in the House of Representatives the tariff bill which 
bears his name, and debate upon it was continued until March 31, when it 
was passed by a vote of 205 to 121. Debate upon and amendments to the 
bill occupied the attention of the Senate until July 7, when it passed that 
body by a vote of thirty-eight to twenty-eight. The House of Representa- 
tives failed to concur in several of the amendments to the bill and it was 
sent to a committee of conference of the two houses, and as finally reported 
was passed and became a law on July 24, 1897. 

A treaty of arbitration which had been the subject of extensive cor- 
respondence between Great Britain and the United States, had excited much 
interest in both countries and had been signed January 11, 1897, at Wash- 
ington by the Secretary of State, Mr. Olney, and the British Ambassador, 
Sir J. Pauncefote. It was at once sent to the Senate for ratification, but after 
much discussion and some amendments, on March 8 it was referred to a 
committee of the Senate of the Fifty-fifth Congress. This committee re- 
ported on March 17, and a vote was taken upon ratification of the treaty on 
May 7, resulting in a failure to ratify by forty-three to twenty-five. 

Mr. John Sherman, the newly appointed Secretary of State, sent official 
invitation to the several maritime powers of the world requesting them sev- 
erally to send warships to participate in the ceremonies attending the dedica- 
tion of the tomb erected in Riverside Park, New York City, as the permanent 
repository of the body of General U.S.Grant upon April 27, 1897. The 
ceremonies upon that occasion were most imposing and elaborate, consisting 
of naval, military and civic processions, in which the following battleships. 



2 THE WAR WITH SPAIN". 

monitors and cruisers of the United States Navy took conspicuous part, viz: 
Ivew York, Raleigh, Massachusetts, Puritan, Indiana, Terror, Columbia, Amphi- 
trite, Maine and Texas. An address at the tomb was made by President 
McKinley, followed by the formal presentation of the structure to the City 
of New York by General Horace Porter in behalf of the Grant Monument 
Association. 

April 14, the President sent a special message to the two houses of 
Congress urging upon them the necessity of making prompt and adequate 
provision/for a suitable representation of the United States at the Paris Ex- 
position of 1900, and on May 17 a special message asking Congress to appro- 
priate $50,000 for the relief of American citizens in Cuba. Congress at once 
took the action which Mr. McKinley recommended. 

Rear-Admiral Richard AV. Meade died at Washington, U. C, on May 4, 
1897.' 

May 20, 1897, the United States Senate passed a joint resolution recog- 
nizing the belligerency of the Cubans. The vexed Cuban question received 
much attention from the press and in the platform utterances of the various 
political parties. Much discussion upon the situation in that island arose in 
Congress, and at times the public mind was quite inflamed, but no definite 
action was taken by Congress save that mentioned. 

Two distinguished visitors from the far east came to the United States 
in the month of May. Chang Yen Hoon, Minister of P'oreign Affairs, Head 
of the Treasury and Special Ambassador to represent China at the Jubilee 
of Queen Yictoria, arrived at New York on the 12th. He was accompanied 
by eight young lords and a large suite of attendants. The flag of China was 
displayed from the Hotel Waldorf. Under the instructions of Li Hung 
Chang, Yiceroy of China, the Chinese Minister had planted a tree near the 
tomb of General Grant earl}- in the; mouth. The Marquis Ito, Premier of 
Japan, also on his way to the Jubilee celebration, arrived in the country on 
May 27. 

The wide extent of the plague and famine in the East Indias had aroused 
the sympathies of the benevolent, and relief had been furnished by the cen- 
tral government at different times. In consequence the United States au- 
thorized the shipment of relief supplies to India in any vessel, American or 
foreign. Consul -General Lee reported in the latter part of May that he had 
received abundant supplies for the relief of all Americans in Havana. 

^ Rear-Admiral Richard W. Meade was known as one of the most gallant commanders of 
the United States Navy. At the outbreak of the Civil War he was detailed as instructor in 
gunnerv on board the receiving-ship Ohio, and later served as executive otiicer on the steam- 
sloop Dacotak of the North Atlantic blockading squadron and on tlie Commaugh of the South 
Atl.intic blockading squadron. In 1S62 he was commissioned I, ieutei. ant-Commander and was 
placed in command of the ironclad Louisville. Becoming disabled while breaking up guerilla 
warfare on the Mississippi, he was in December of the same year sent east as an invalid, and on 
his recovery he was assigned to the command of the steamer Uiiittui States, which w;is sent in 
chase of the confederate privateer Taeoney. Meade commanded the naval battalion during the 
riots in New York in Julv, 1S93, ^'"^ succeeded in maintaining order in his district. Admiral 
Meade was interred at Arlington with military honors. About May 10 the Marblehead was 
sent to Puerto Cortez, the seat of the revolution then m progress in Honduras. 



Mckinley's administration. S 

f 

In the official celebration of Queen Victoria's Jubilee the United States 

were represented by a special embassy appointed by President McKinley. 
Whitelaw Reid was the special ambassador to represent the President, while 
General Nelson A. Miles and Rear- Admiral J. N. Miller were special com- 
missioners. Mr. Reid presented in person a letter of congratulation to her 
Majesty from President McKinley. The letter "was formal but kindly in 
tone, and expressed the appreciation of the President of the great good that 
had followed the long reign of her Majesty, and hopes for the continuation 
of her health.'' 

The battle monument erected at West Point to commemorate the heroic 
devotion of the regulars who fell during the Civil War was unveiled on May 
31, and was formally presented to the Government in behalf of the Army by 
Major-General Schofield, to whom it had just been presented by General 
John M. Nelson. 

President McKinley made the opening address at the International Com- 
mercial Conference in Philadelphia on June 2, 1897. The presence of forty 
delegates from various foreign countries, together with the ministers from 
those countries and the Cabinet of the President gave an international air 
to the occasion. This conference had conducted an extensive correspond- 
ence with persons and corporations in foreign countries, and was held under 
the auspices of the Commercial Museum.^ 

June II, President McKinley was received at the Tennessee Centennial 
Exhibition in Nashville, where he delivered an oration eulogizing the State, 
and upon his reference to the preservation of the Union he was most en- 
thusiastically cheered by the audience. 

The President on June 17, 1897, nominated General Stewart L.Woodford 
to be Minister to Spain. Mr. W. J. Calhoon of Illinois, who had been appointed 
a special counsel to Consul-General Lee by the President, returned from Cuba 
June 9 to report the result of his observations and the testimony he had re- 
ceived in Cuba concerning the suffering and destitution arising from the war. 
In the month of February, Mr. Olney, then Secretary of State, had directed the 
United States Minister at Madrid to demand a full inquiry into the cases of 
a list of seventy-four American citizens who had been arrested by the Span- 
ish Government in Cuba, but the head of the Spanish Cabinet had resigned 
because the Liberals in a body refused to attend the Cortes, owing to the 
fierce debate in the United States Senate over the Cuban question, and the de- 
mand consequently had not been acted upon. Among the number of citizens 
thus arrested was one Dr. Ricardo Renz, a dentist residing in Guanabasca, who 
was found dead with a fractured skull, under circumstances which indicated 
the murder of the defenceless prisoner in his cell, Mr. Calhoon reported 

1 Of the Commercial Museum it was said : " Tiie Columbian World's Exposition at Chicago 

was the forerunner of this less general but more permanent contribution to the world's advance. 

. . . Many of the Chicago e.vhibits here remain intact, and have been intelligently supplemented 

to such an extent that the management of the Philadelphia Museum make the proud claim that 

their e.xhibition possesses the most complete and extensive exhibit of its class now in existence." 



THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 



hat although no positive or direct proof was found that the doctor died 
from an actual assault, his death was due to congestion of the brain - The 
discussion of the affairs in Cuba continued to excite the public mind and 
press upon the attention of the Government. Frequent filibustering, expedi- 
tions to supply the Cuban insurgents with men and munitions of w.r were 
undertaken by Cubans and their sympathizers in the United States and 
while the Government was demanding and Congress was pressing the inquiry 
mto certain cases of arrest of Americans in Cuba, the vessels of the Navy 
were watching and, in some cases, were capturing the vessels engaged in aid- 
ing the insurgents. Without doubt a deep sympathy had been awakened in 
the nation in favor of Cuban independence. A new Cabinet had been formed 
m Spain under the premiership of Senor Sagasta, Liberal, October 2 1897 
and General Weyler, whose recall had been urged bv the United States 
was soon after replaced as Governor-General of Cub^ by Captain-General 
and Governor-General Blanco. The latter arrived in Havana upon October 
30, 1897. Upon November iS, the prisoners who had been captured upon 
tlie filibuster CompeUfor were released by the order of Captain-General Blanco 
The Government at Madrid officially published a decree conferring autonomy 
upon the islands of Cuba and Porto Rico. Whatever effect such action might 
have had at an earlier date, it was not now accepted by the mass of insur-' 
gents, who seemed to doubt the good faith of a government which had 
granted the concessions only after severe pressure from a stron-^er power 

The treaty providing for the annexation of the Republic of Hawaii to 
the United States was presented, with a favorable message from the 
I resident, on June 16. Japan had made a formal protest against the 
annexation of these islands, and there was a strong sentiment in opposition 
to the treaty in the Senate and in some parts of the country, but the formal 
protest of Japan was withdrawn upon July 5. The bill to'provide for the 
representation of the United States at the Paris Exposition of 1900 was 
passed upon the same day. The annexation treaty was unanimously 
ratified by the Senate of Hawaii upon September 15, 1897, but in the United 
States Senate no action was taken during the special session of the Fiftv- 
fifth Congress. 

From October 4 to 12 there was an extensive correspondence between Mr 
Sherman, Secretary of State, and Lord Salisbury, British Foreign Minister 
over the Behring Sea seal fisheries and the attending complications arising 
therefrom. This resulted in the signing at Washington on November 8 of 
a treaty to protect the seals in Behring Sea. The representatives of Russia 
Japan and the United States signed the treaty, but the British government 
declined to do so. Upon November 16, President McKinley signed the 
treaty adopted by the Universal Postal Congress. 

The severe illness of the mother of Mr. McKinley at Canton Ohio 
necessitated his absence from Washington more than once at times of critical 
moment to the public interest. Mrs. Nancy A. McKinlev, a stron^r and 
vigorous woman of eighty-eight years of age, was stricken with paralysis 



Mckinley's administration. 5 

on December 2, and early on the morning of the next day the President 
again arrived at her bedside, but at the latest possible moment he returned 
to Washington to be present at the opening of the second session of the 
Fifty-fifth Congress on December 6. The President's message was pre- 
sented by Mr. Prudens, his assistant private secretary, and read to the Senate 
at one o'clock and thirty minutes in the afternoon. On December 7, the 
aged Mrs. McKmley was again surrounded by her family and rallied suffi- 
ciently to recognize them, but she soon relapsed into unconsciousness, from 
which she was released by death on December 12.' 

The message of President McKinley to Congress declared that time was 
needed to prove the value of Tariff Legislation ; there was the necessity of 
currency revision. It was opposed to recognition of Cuban belligerency — 
the civilized code of war was disregarded on both sides. Relief had been 
extended to American citizens and instructions given to Minister AVoodford. 
Spain had promised to pacify Cuba, and an opportunity should be given her 
to try her system. Recognition of belligerency was not justified, and 
General Grant's position on the same question was quoted and the dangers 
and inconveniences of such an act specified. The plan of the Spanish 
Premier, Sagasta, should have a fair trial. Spain had promised reforms and 
they were being carried out. On the same subject, in conclusion, he said : 
" If it shall hereafter appear to be a duty imposed by our obligations to our- 
selves, to civilization and humanity, to intervene with force, it shall be with- 
out fault on our part and only because the necessity for such action will be 
so clear as to command the support and approval of the civilized world." 
Information was given that Japanese claims would be amicably adjusted and 
the annexation of Hawaii was recommended. The needs of the United 
States Navy were most important, and action for the prevention of epidemics 
of yellow fever was recommended. 

In the history of the world the year 1897 presents a record of disorder 
and bloodshed. A war between Turkey and Greece lasted from February 
until September. A party of 150 Greco- Americans sailed from New York in 
the latter part of March to offer their services to their native land. A treaty 
of peace was signed by the two contending powers at Constantinople on Sep- 
tember 18, 1897. Turkey had been uniformly victorious in all the engage- 
ments of the war, but owing to the intervention of the powers she was not 

'At Washington. December 13, it was arranged that members of the Cabinet should attend 
the funeral of Mrs. McKinlev, mother of the President, in Canton, Ohio, and on the evening of 
that day thev left Washington over the Pennsvlvania Railroad. On the following day the White 
House was closed to visitors and the flags on all the public buildings were at half mast, but the 
departments were not closed. 

Nancv Allison McKinlev came of a family which was transplanted from England to the 
hills of Virginia. The Allison familv removed to Green County. Pennsylvania, where her 
father, Abner, married Ann Campbell. Early in the present century Mr. and Mrs. Allison 
removed from Pennsylvania to Columbiana County. Ohio. In iSor). near the iircsent city of 
Lisbon, Nancy was born. She married William McKinley, a young iron manufacturer. Nine 
children were' born to tliem, of whom William McKinlev. the President of the United States, 
was the seventh child. Mrs. .McKinlev, or " Mother McKinley," as she was called, was one, as 
it was said of her, " of glorious motherhood." 



6 THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

permitted to dismember the Kingdom of Greece. The attempt of Spain to 
subdue the insurgents of Cuba was continued under the policy of General 
Weyler until his recall, and resulted in widespread desolation, barbarity and 
the starvation of many thousand non-combatants, women, children and aged 
men. On June 3 Senor Canovas and his Cabinet resigned, but two days after 
he was confirmed in his ministerial power and lie with three of his Cabinet 
remained in office. On August 8, Senor Canovas, the Prime Minister, was 
assassinated and General Ascarraga was appointed Prime Minister //v to//. 
This appointment was confirmed on September 29. But upon October 4 he 
resigned and Seiior Sagasta became Premier, General Weyler was recalled 
from Cuba and new reforms were promised for the relief of the island. The 
year 1897 seemed auspicious for the United States, with abundant crops and 
the promise of returning prosperity, but the agitation of the Cuban question 
in Congress and by the public press, together with the action of the Cuban 
Junta having its headquarters in New York, and the constant demand of 
Spain that the United States should suppress all filibustering from the coun- 
try, pressaged a more active co-operation of the latter in the solution of the 
perplexing problem. 

The year 1898 opened with ominous forebodings of complications of a 
more or less serious nature in the far east and at our own doors. There 
were threatened disorders in Chinese waters. The voices of Russia, Japan, 
Germany, France and Great Britain were clanging over the unsettled ques- 
tions arising from a conflict of interests between those nations, and on 
February 2 it was rumored that Japan was arming for war. But of far 
greater interest to the citizens of the United States was 

THE SITUATION IN CUBA. 

In a cable dispatch addressed to the Spanish Minister at Washington, 
dated December 14, 1897, Captain-General Blanco made an offer of amnesty 
to all political exiles from Cuba, not only promising personal security and 
safety to themselves and families, but inviting them to return to the island 
and take active part in the organization of the new autonomic government. 
He added that he would "particularly welcome the members of the Cuban 
Junta now in this country." Upon January i, 1898, the members of the new 
ministry under the autonomic constitution were installed into office by 
General Blanco. They were six in number, one native Spaniard and five 
Cubans. The five Cubans appointed had all been leaders in recent republi- 
can movements in that island. The message of the President had dealt at 
some length with the Cuban question, and in it he had said : " The President 
sees three lines of action open to the United States — recognition of the in- 
surgents as belligerents, recognition of the independence of Cuba, and neu- 
tral intervention on behalf of a compromise or on humanitarian grounds." 
Rejecting the first two lines of action, he said of the third : " It is honestly 
due to Spain, and to our friendly relations with Spain, that she should be 



Mckinley's administration. 7 

given a reasonable chance to realize her expectation and to prove the asserted 
efficacy of the new order of thjngs to which she stands irrevocably committed. 
She has recalled the commander whose brutal orders inflamed the American 
mind and shocked the civilized world. She has modified the horrible order 
of concentration/' 

THE DE LOME LETTER. 

The references to Spam m the message evidently occasioned Seiior Enrique 
Dupuy De Lome, the Minister of that country, to write a personal criticism 
of Mr McKinley in a private letter addressed to a friend in Havana, fhis 
letter fell into the possession of the Cuban Junta, which gave it out on Janu- 
ary 8 X898, but it was not made public until a month later. It had not been 
wr tt;n at 'the Spanis, Legation but at the private residei.ce of the Minis er 
although upon the stationery used by the Legation. It had been se n b a 
employee of the Legation acting officially, which gave it a semi-official char- 
aSer The terms of the letter were considered as insulting to the office and 
person of the President, in that it referred to him as " weak and catering to 
the rabble and besides a low politician," etc. , . ^ t- 

The publication of this letter in a fac-simile of the original, with an Fng^ 
i;-h translation placed the writer in a most awkward position, who, after a 
weak attem to' deny its authenticity, at once cabled his resignation to 
Matid Th'is was promptly accepted and the ^Pa-sh Governme ™ 
ately expressed its deep regret at the misconduct of its representative, 
Ld named Senor Polo y Benabe as his successor c: Washington. 

THE MAINE TRAGEDY. 

THE armored cruiser Bn^Hv., which had been fi";>;g 7^^^^;j^:^"s J 
visit to the harbor of Havana. Judge W R D^y-^f " ^^^ .^„ ^, f,i,„dly 

the visit of the jWauie, said : I he only « ^^^^ 

United States." ^„..„,i thp Imrhor receiving the 

The Maim proceeded to Havana f"'^,;." ^J^'' ^^Vcotte's es front the 

usual salute from Morro Castle and ^1 the officK.1 co^^r es ^^^^^^_ 

authorities of the city and the ^P-^-^t'Jj-^.cUier officers paid the 
master assigned a place of ^'-^^y^;^ ^V t o h - resentatives of 
accustomed visits to te Cap^ain-G n nd and o^ ^^ ^^^1^ friendliness of 
Spanish authority in Cuba. As an acknowie ^ 



THE WAR WITH SPAIIV 



h!f,/t' ?• ^^""""^ '''" government of Spain immed.ately directed the 
^ebruary i„ 1898 at the hour of 9:40, the battleship J/«-„, was destroyed 

Iler ?i:e Sn" 'h ''"^^'^^ after-part of the superstructure above the 

stea!,er ^ !^Tr T"'\ '7"" ^'^'"'^'' ^^^ ^^ ^^e passenger 
steamer Oiy of Washington, with the boats of the J/a/«, rescued the sur 

v.vors of the disaster. A naval court of inquirv e was ap ,0 , ted bv the" 

President, which investigated the causes of the disaster on th pot from 

February .6 to March 3 x, and reported to the President tha th d sate" 

rr„rer:"o7^hT'^" '"r '^ '"'' --^^'i^-ce on the part of the offit 
rnembers of the crew of the vessel. Finally, the Court had been unable 
to obtain any evidence fixing the responsibility for the destruction "the 
Maine upon any person or persons. 

the ^M '• " r.'"' ^J'P''''' '° "^' ^'"^'"^>' °f ''^^ ^^'-^'V. Captain Sigsbee of 
rte JW had said: " Public opinion should be suspended," and Consul 
General Lee had said, in a February ,6 cablegram, tLt " the Government 
and municipal authorities expressed profound sorrow." Messages of co do 
ence were received from foreign consuls, organized bodies of ever.sort and 
from dis .nguished citizens. Nevertheless the fact that the il was 
destioyed by an exterior explosion was so evident that the counterclainro 
ZT\1 ^;P «^'°" -hich was made by a Spanish court of inquiry'a" ed 
to offset the finding of the United States court of inquiry 

rhe attention of Congress was absorbed hy ^.\.^ Maine disaster and a 
esoufon was unanimously adopted that " the House of RepresenLt ves 
has learned with profound sorrow of the great calamity which has caused the 
destruction of the United States battleship Maine and the appa Hi" Toss of 
more han two hundred and fifty lives and the wounding of many others o 
he gallant defenders of our flag, and that the House expresses its'^ a l, 
for the injured and its sincere condolences with the families of those who 
the he" th " " ''" "'■^"^ °' '•^^ "''^'■°"-" ^"^ q»-tion was ask d 

atv itht uoo'T'"'' "? 'r '^°"^""" "^ ^">' ■^^^iorr..i.o. which threw 
any 1 ght upon the cause of the accident, and the reply was one of regret 
that there was no information which " threw any light upon the cause of the 

in tl^eletvtv'" ^^^l w^s'bunl'^at'heV^oX' ^'^r^ "" -^^ }.^-r.^.A as one of the best ships 
feet broad, 216 feet meairdrau^hf.n.^fifiq°V- i'^'V-^^"' "^ 1S90 and was 31S feet long, 57 
men. The loss of t^ship "rrS th^ pef le oTThe ^f, r^'s?'; ^'-hfci a coniplenient of's?" 
pending an investigation ii to he ca" J"f' h °L ^'\ '^^'^ ^'^ "'"''^ l>°"0'- ^"d distress, and 
pulpit Ind the platform "'' '°'' " '^"'^"'"'^ "'^ ^^"l^J^'^' °^ discussion of the 

dent •';^' ^.?^,°^^E,;n^c^:;:!^:!,:: ITnL'stT^^^^^'^'r,^"''^'' «'^*- ^avy. Presi- 
Commander Pot er. U.fie State NaTj r^n, State.s Navy Judge Advocate; L.entenant- 
ceedincs and findings o he Cour^fIno;M>^'w;;^ ^'"^"''^V ^''-'ed States Navy. The pro- 
n,ande.in-chief of the ^^r^^:^^ll;::Z^'^:::^l^:^-^;^ Admiral, c^m- 



Mckinley's administration. 9 



ac 



:cident" or upon which "a conclusion could be based." About February 
17, Spain officially disclaimed in a positive manner the reflections contained 
in the " De Lome letter," and that incident was closed. 

Preparations were made at Havana for the burial of the dead. Twenty- 
two bodies were brought to the City Hall, where they rested in coffins 
covered with crowns of ribbons in'the Spanish colors with the inscription— 
" The Navy Department of Havana to the victims of the Maine." Th.e 
interment was at 5 p. m. Before the hour the city was fully in motion. The 
flags were at half-mast and many of the houses were draped in mourning 
All classes were represented in the streets through which the procession 
passed to the cemetery. Captain Sigsbee, United States Consul-General Lee 
and Father Chidwick, Chaplain of the Maine, were present at the last services. 

Messages of condolence were received at the State Department from 
foreign governments, from the heads of the governments and through the 
ambassadors and ministers ; all being expressive of sorrow and horror at the 
loss of the United States battleship Maine and of so many members of 
the crew who lost their lives at the post of duty. 

It had been arranged that the Spanish warship Viscaya, in command of 
Captain Eulate, should visit our shores, and on February 20, in the afternoon, 
she came through the Narrows at the port of New York and appeared off 
Tompkinsville, Staten Island. As there had been much feeling on account 
of the loss of the battleship Maine, Rear-Admiral Bunce, the commandant of 
the New York Navy-yard, received orders from Washington to establish, 
when the Viscaya should have arrived, a careful, well-appointed force to 
guard against any harm being done to the Spanish vessel on account of pub- 
lic feeling. Captain Eulate felt he could trust to the sentiments of honor of 
Americans but a protective patrol was established. Captain Eulate called 
upon the Spanish Consul-General at New York and upon Admiral Bunce at 
the Navy-yard. 'I'o the latter he expressed sympathy with the Navy and 
people of the United States over the loss of the Alaine and the brave men 
who went down with her. On account of the disaster the flag of the Viscaya 
was hung at half-mast. 

ACTION' IN CONGRESS. 

News from Cuba continued to be of a harassing description. Senator 
Proctor, who was visiting the island, was an eye witness to the sufferings of 
the inhabitants. Miss Clara Barton of the Red Cross Society had gone to 
continue her work in the relief of the unfortunate. All sections of the coun- 
try united in preparing for a possible emergency. 

A bill appropriating $50,000,000 for the national defence was passed 
unanimously by Congress and signed the same L-lay by the President, March 
4th. On March 17 Senator Proctor of Vermont, who had recently returned 
from an extended trip through the island of Cuba, repeated a dispassionate 
story of ruin and misery upon that island, where there was neither peace nor 



10 



THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 



war, but concentration, extermination and desolation. It was a simple and 
straightforward statement of a horrible state of affairs. Before starting upon 
his trip Senator Proctor had seen cuts, through photographs, of the sick and 
starving reconcentrados. He saw himself plenty as bad and even worse. It 
was confirmed that out of a population of 1,600,000, 200,000 had died within 
the Spanish forts, practically prison walls, within a few months, from actual 
starvation and diseases caused by insufficient and improper food. The in- 
quiries of Mr. Proctor had been made of medical officers, consuls, city al- 
caldes, relief committees, leading merchants and bankers, physic'ians and 
lawyers, several of whom were Spanish born, but every time the answer was 
that it had not been overdrawn. 

The new Spanish Minister having arrived, he was received early in 
March at the State Department, and arrangements were made for his pre- 
sentation to the President on the following day. He avowed that he had con- 
fidence in autonomy, and a commercial treaty was his first work. 

On March 25 the report of the Maine Court of Inquiry was read in the 
Cabinet ; an abstract of the report was give« to the press, and the report 
was sent to Congress, and also a message from the President. 

In the conclusion of this message he said : " I have directed that the 
findings of the Court of Inquiry and the views of this Government thereon 
be communicated to the Government of her Majesty, the Queen Regent, and 
I do not permit myself to doubt that the sense of justice of the" Splnish 
nation will dictate a course of action suggested by honor and the friendly re- 
lations of the two governments. Meanwhile, as it had been suggested years 
before, the American people continued to look forward, not only to any 
emergency, but to positively put themselves upon such a defensive basis as 
can only be accomplished by placing a country in such a ready and aggressive 
condition as to be able to punish those who aggrieve, invade or meddle in its 
affairs. Having always been the most patient of nations and listened to the 
advice of the founders of the Republic for a century, holding as sacred the 
sayings of the Father of his Country, who, seeing future dangers, warned the 
Nation as a beloved family to hold sacredly and not abandon first principles 
of safety, upon the eve of another century it could be seen that holding to 
its principles, the Nation must be prepared to meet conditions of things in 
which new inventions, new ships, new guns and machines of warfare w^ould 
take a formidable part." 

SPANISH CHANGE OF POLICY. 

It was rumored from Austria that the Queen Regent of Spain had writ- 
ten personally to the powers "for, not necessarily intervention, but the 
exercise of such influenceat Washington as might conduce to a peaceful settle- 
ment without injury to Spain's dignity and vital interests." She described 
herself as in a difficult position, " to act as the guardian of a dynasty which 
I must not expose to any danger, and at the same time as the defender 



Mckinley's administration. 



11 



of the rights, honor and interests of Spain." In Cuba, General Blanco re- 
scinded the reconcentrado order and gave others to help the destitute. The 
greatest activity continued in the navy and army departments of the United 
States and all the current literature of the day openly discussed peace and 



war. 



On April i the news from Madrid was in substance that the "insurgents 
of Cuba should ask for an armistice and not the United States ; that the re- 
quest for an armistice should be dealt with by the Autonomist Cabinet of 
Cuba, and without the intervention or good offices of the United States." 
The note, which was transmitted to Washington, in addition to the proposition 
in regard'to an armistice, expressed regret "at the accident to the Maine in 
Spanish waters," and offered to arbitrate the matter. Spain contmued to 
prepare for war. Early in April the news came that the Viscaya and Almi- 
rante Oqiundo had sailed from Havana ; it was believed the ships had sailed 
to meet the Spanish torpedo flotilla then sailing westward. 

General Woodford, American Minister at Madrid, March 31, 1898, m- 
formed the State Department that General Blanco had revoked the bando 
relatincr to the concentrados in the western provinces of Cuba, and that the 
Spanish Government had placed at the command of the Governor-General 
3 000,000 pesetas ($600,000), to the end that the country people may return 
ai once and with success to their labors. The Spanish Government n.ight 
accept whatever assistance to feed and succor the necessitous that might be 
sent from the United States in accordance with the plan in operation. He 
proposed to confide the preparation for an honorable and stable peace to the 
insular Parliament, without whose concurrence the Spanish Government 
would not be able to arrive at the final result, it being understood that the 
powers reserved by the Constitution to the Central Government are not 
lessened or diminished. 

AMERICAN INTERVENTION. 

IT soon became the settled belief that Cuba could be aided only by the 
force of arms The Spanish Minister called at the State Department and 
wa for some time in conference with Judge Day, the A^-tant Secretary 
State It was understood that no new proposition would be made b> the 
United S a es and that the Spanish Minister did not offer anything to change 
Se s tuaS,n of affairs. It was understood there would be no further nego^ 

z:::^. ^^in..^. .» -7;: n^sr ;»-:?: i:::-:^- 

p„r, «as no. ■=»" ™ ^- , ^^fP' '„ ,1 crhicl Au.tion^ Respecting the 

"'" "■ '"<,!»"!* ret d .0 he M.i,. disaster, he said he considered 

matters in dispute witn regaiu Lu ,-,:^„ " On the second we were 

the question ., h. ^J^^Z^^^^"'. "l. Governor-Gener.. 



•^^ THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

that the Spanish Government had sent $600,000 to the relief of the distressed 
and would devote to the same object all the proceeds of relief mkmd'd 
money amountn^g to i$i,ooo,ooo, which has been sent by Spani h r ,den s 
rom Mex:co." Sagasta was led to believe that all classes Zld co^ e e 
m the work of reahz.ng peace in Cuba." General Woodford wa "lef.! 
He came to Spa.n under :nstruct.ons from President McK ^170 se ,re 
peace ,n Cuba, w>th a permanent peace between the United States and Soa f 
a peace t at should be built on bed-rock cond.t.ons-conditi f ust ce to 

He said . I have labored steadily to obtain this result. I have never lo.t 
n.y faith and doubtful as conditions may seem to-dav, I st 1 bel eve 1 1 e 
great and good purposes of my President may yet be 's cured Is", , ol 
desist from my labors for a just and honorable peace until the .uns a t "v 
open fie, , , , , ^,„ ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^.^^^ ^^^ ^^^ honw , naTbl 

ZTh -""f "^ '"' '""" ''''"^ '" C""^^ alreadv,and I canno bel eve 

that the closing hours of the nineteenth centurv will b; reddened bv a con 
fl.ct between Spain and the United States " ' ' 

dnn.H h"^^"' '^ "r ^''''''^'"' '""' ''^'°''"^ ^' ^'-^y'-^g that he had not aban- 
doned the hope of averting war. The Autonomist Cabinet of Cuba addressed 
an appeal to the insurgents asking them to arrange an armistice fo the "ur 
pose of arriving at terms of peace. On April 6 the expected message of the 
President had not yet been sent to Congress. AmerLns, fee ing msecure 

said 't "t ,1 a'"^ '° '''"''' ""''''"''' '"' ^ ^'^'^^'^'^ ^™- C^nsul-G^eneal Lee 
sa d that all Americans could not be taken off the island before the end of 

week and there would be grave peri, if the President's message shou d be 

nt to Congress before their departure. General Lee being stiHat his pos^ 

1 tK-tr;"' T] '"' ''-''"' """ ^"""^'"-^ ^°"--^' '- - P--f"l solut on in 
anticipation of the message of the President. The Pope was in direct com 

munication with the (.ueen Regent, and it was said witi the Presiden The 

Pope s mediation could go no further, as the President had declare" that an 

aimisfce with the Cubans would not go to the root of the matter. 

ACTIVE PREPARATIONS FOR WAR. 

Britain" k''"' ^ 'r ' ■"'P''"^"^^''^"" ^^ ^^e six great powers of Europe, Great 
B tain France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia and Italv, gave offic a 
01m, a noon, to their recent conferences in the interest of a'^eace ul Toiu 
t.on of the Cuban problem. It was a new event in the United Stas bu a 
usual one in European courts. They called in a body at the Wl irHo e 
presented an address to President McKinley in the Blue Room r e v^d 1 s 
reply, and then proceeded to the State Department, where ' v tl lolem 

'::;•' :om"^T;'^' ^^^ ""'^'^^^ '^ Assistant-Secre;ary Da; i^ tL^di; ^ 
matic room. They were accompanied by their secretaries. The ceremonv 
was impressive. The Ambassadors and Ministers had agreed upj, a li e "f 
action at a meeting at the British Embassv. U'here wa^s s "nificance ithe 
planning of the note, and the diplomatists were impressed b.T he an v 



Mckinley's administration. 13 

On April 12 the President's message was sent to Congress. In it he 
spoke of a half century of revolutions in Cuba, of the policy of concentration 
and extermination and home rule, and quoted the decisions of his predeces- 
sors, Presidents Grant and Cleveland. Finally he asked for power to act, for 
Congress to authorize and empower the President to take measures to se- 
cure" termination of hostilities between the Government of Spain and the 
Government of Cuba and to use the military and naval forces of the United 
States for this purpose. In the interest of humanity he asked for continued 
distribution of supplies to the starving population of the island— the issue 
was with Congress. 

April 12, Consul-General Lee returned from Havana, but the consuls had 
been called home as early as April 5. 

About April 2 there was a war council at the White House, and naval 
e.xperts were called, with Cabinet officers, to consider various methods. The 
preparations of the Army and Navy, with peace as the ultimate, had been 
continued, and the simple daily news was an account of intense activity, 
the recruiting of men for ser-vice on land and water. Many vessels were 
purchased or engaged under contract. The protected cruisers AmazoNCS and 
Admi-ra! AbromJl were purchased from Brazil and renamed the New Orleans 
and Albany respectively. The dynamite cruiser Nictheroy, which was built 
for the same government, was purchased and called the Biifiah. Ocean 
liners were purchased from private corporations, and craft of all kinds were 
boucxht and turned over to the Navy to be remodeled, renamed and fitted 
for service in any capacity required by the needs of the service. 

March 28, Captain William T. Sampson was placed m command of the fleet 
at Key West ' Commodore VVinfield S. Schley was given command of the fly- 
inc. squadron rendezvoused at Hampton Roads. The mosquito fleet was 
formed and ten auxiliary cruisers were to be purchased by orders from \\ ash- 
incrton By April 9 the fleet at Key West was becoming impatient and Com- 
modore Schley was all ready. At Washington the Army and Navywere in 
unison, and there was great activity in both departments. .\pnl 12, there was 
a conference of Secretary Alger and Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roose- 
velt and Generals Miles and Schofield met with them. 

\ naval strategic board was formed, consisting of Assistant Secretary o 
the Navy Roosevelt, Captain Barker, Captain Crowningshield, Rear-Admiral 
Walker, Commander Hemphill, Lieutenant-Commander Wainwnght, to which 
number C.ptain A. T. Mahan was afterwards added. The St. Loms ^nd St Paul 
of t Wr.can Line were taken as auxiliary vessels and called the Ya^ and 
Harranl. The £1 Sol and El Norte ^v.r. renamed the ^-;;-''';"^ 7/*;- 
The re<.ular armv was concentrated at points near the Atlantic and nil 
ports and Congress was discussing the preparation for war. Upon X^^d 
X2 th^ President sent a special message to Congress asking for authority to 
int ven by force to establish peace in Cuba. On April .6 the Senate passed 
the resolutions reported by the Committee on Foreign f^^l^^^^^, 
to 21. The House had passed the resolutions on the 13th ; the Senate pass .1 



^* THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 



an amendment recognizing the independence of Cuba by a vote of ^i to .7 
A deadlock arose between the two Houses of Congress over the form of the 
resolutions, which was removed by the vote of the Senate on Apnl ig upon 
the report of the Comn.ittee of Conference, recognizing the independence of 

he island of Cuba but not the present government of the so-called " Repub- 
lic of Cuba. Ihe vote stood 52 to 35 ; the House at once following with the 
same action by a vote of 310 to 6} The President at once issued his ultima- 

um to Spain, and Polo y Benabe asked for his passports and left Washinc.- 
ton April 20. Spain dismissed General Woodford the next day without 
giving him time to present the ultimatum. The army bill, authorizing the 
President to issue a call for volunteers for service, was passed the same day 
by the House. The call for volunteers resulted in the offering to the Govern- 
ment of more men than were needed. 



DECLARATION OF WAR. 



April 22, the President issued his proclamation blockading certain ports 
m the island of Cuba, and early on the mornmg of April 22 the vessels of the 
^orth Atlantic squadron, under Captain Sampson's ^ command, bore away 
to establish the blockade. The flagship M.a York, the /..,. and I„,Ja 
were followed by the cruisers a.annati^nd Detroit, and the gunboats Wil- 
mu„ton, Castine, ATachias, Nashville and Newport, the monitor Amphitrite the 
A'nryflower and the torpedo-boat Foote. The cruiser Marhlehead, the monitor 
Furitau, the Algo nquin, and the Mangrove sailed later in the day to join the 

Wh'l^i°"'V'i!'°'M''"" ""^ " *^"'';!'>' P^'^'^'' Co.-gress was as follows :- 
islaJoFc^Kso ne rrrt:ni:™'i^;e':h:cu:rur°^ .-- than tliree years in the 

of the United States in L Lsa "to Colfgress o A nri ' m ^Sn^"' '" /"."' ^' "^^ ^^^^'^^»' 
gies. was invited ; therefore "-ongress oC Apnl ,1, ,898, upon which the action of Con- 

Con.^e'f :"en'^',edl:'""'^ '''" "°"^^ °^ Representatives of the United States of America in 

pendent''"'"'"' "' '""^'^ °' "^^ "'""' "^ ^"'^••' --• ^^^ -' "8^^ ought to be, free and inde- 

This resolution was signed by the President at ii:.4 o'clock A. M., April ^o 189S 

and ll^t^^c!:n:^^t;^^:',rz "" h^'s^^"'^;,^^^""^^""^'^™™ ^^^^ ^-'^ 



Mckinley's administration. lo 

fleet, leaving the Dolphin, the Terror and Helena at Key West, liable to move 
at any time. The temporary rank of Rear-Admiral was conferred upon Cap- 
tain Sampson. 

The Monadnock left for Puget Sound. The double-turret monitor Mian- 
tonomoh sailed south from League Island Navy-yard, and the gunboat Nash- 
ville captured the merchant steamer Beneventura. A prize crew under Ensign 
Macgruder was put aboard the latter steamer, and it was towed to Key West. 
The steamer was owned in Bilbao. From Sioux Falls, S. D., 10,000 men 
offered their services. By the 25th the Helena had caught the Miguel Joses 
and the Detroit the Catalina. The Pedro was overhauled by the flagship New 
York. A move against Matanzas was contemplated, the Cuban army was to 
be equipped, the Massachusetts Naval Militia were ready to go aboard the 
Prairie, the Catskill was to sail for Boston and the Navy needed men. .A.t New 
York and vicinity the waters and coast had been thoroughly put in a state of 
defence through mines and otherwise, and a board under .\dmiral Erben had 
been formed, before which questions of coast and harbor defence could be 
considered. On .\pril 24 the Asiatic squadron, under Commodore George 
Dewey, left Hong Kong under sealed orders. The fleet consisted of the Olym- 
pia, a protected cruiser and flagship, the protected cruiser Baltimore, the pro- 
tected cxm'it.X'i Raleigh and Boston, the gunboats Concord and P.trel \x\\i\ the 
iron ship Afonoeaev. 

On April 25 the declaration that a state of war existed between the 
United States and Spain was made by Congress and approved by the Presi- 
dent ; it declared that war had existed since the 21st day of .\pril, 1S98, in- 
cluding that day, betwcL'n the United States of .\nierica and the Kingdom of 
Spain, and after a clause empowering the President, asserted that the declara- 
tion had been made in accordance with a message from the President which 
was read in both Houses as soon as the sessions opened. 

The conclusion had been arranged through the correspondence between 
General Woodford, the United States Minister to Spain, Mr. Sherman, the 
Secretary of State, and Senor Polo y Benabe, the Spanish Minister to the 
United States. With the correspondence were the two proclamations of 
President McKinley, one for the blockade of Cuban ports and the other call- 
ing for 125,000 volunteers. 

Thus commenced a war in the United States which was to last with 
much activity at least for three months. The steamer Gaiili was captured by 
the monitor Terror, Captain Ludlow commanding, and the gunboat Machias. 
Five shots were fired by the monitor and one by the gunboat. 

The battleship Oregon, Captain Clark, had been ordered from San Fran- 
cisco to join the North Atlantic squadron, and fear for her safety was the 
occasion of much anxiety. Admiral Sampson left Key West, and it was sup- 
posed that he was looking for the Oregon to protect her from the Spanish 
fleet. Secretary of State John Sherman resigned April 25 and was succeeded 
by the Assistant Secretary, Hon. William R. Day of Ohio. A bill to increase 
the strength of the regular army was passed ; the transmission of mails from 



■^^ THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

the United States to Spain was stopped. The British Government ->..ued a 
proclamat.on of neutrality, making coal a contraband of war T e ale 

S:=:: :::^ri:^:::r '"' '- --"^^ --- --> ■- - 

April 26 the tender J/«.,,o-,.,„, captured the Spanish steamer I^a.a.;^ and 
on the same day the first naval engagement of the war occurred 1 eC 

ftt's t;ila? ' ''" r'^r^"^--^^ -c, the monitor />../.,. bombar d the" 
fort, at Matanzas, destroying every battery and silenci,.,. every .un The 
enemy fired more than one hundred shots, but no United States Cel va 
hit and no American lives were lost. The fla,.ship M.a York . lenred the 
batteries at Caba«as on April .,, and the same day the A L sZdro 

iTl rds^Tr, r77""'°'"^ ^^°^^^^ Dewey, arrived off the ^S 1^^ "e 
Islands The last of the Cape Verde fleet (Spanish) left Cape St Vincent 
saihng for Ainerican waters. Preparations were be ng hastened fo;then 
vasion o Cuba, bnt the uncertainty of the destinatioi^of the Spani^ fl t" 
and the designs of Us officers concentrated the attention of the American 
fleet and the Board of Strategy upon that feature of the prob em " 
Theodore Roosevelt, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, resigned hfs poskion 
to be commissioned as Lieutenant-Colonel of the First United States ZZ 
of Volunteers, familiarly known as " the Rough Riders." ^ 

BATTLE .A.T MANILA. 

Ofificial advices were received via Madrid from the Governor-General of 
the Philippine Islands that the United States fleet under command of Comio 

r The' "ble h rn "''' ' '"'^"^ ""°^^ '" ''- ^-^- ^' Manila on May 
I. The cable had been cut and the public awaited with an.xietv the confirma 
tionof he report. The fleet under command of Commodore Dew con" 
sisted of the flagship Olyrnpia, Captain Gridlev, BaK„,arc Captir Dver" 
^^^., Captain WUdes, CW,, Captain Walke;,'^./.,.,7ap' n Coo^ a' 
Pc't>el Captain Wood, and the revenue-cutter McCuIlock as a dispatchtboa ' 
The first dispatch from the Commodore concerning his great v.cto^tad as 

"Manila, May i._Squadron arrived at Manila at daybreak this morn- 
ing. Immediately engaged the enemy and destroyed the follow.n4p"n sh 
vessels : Jia„a Christina, Castilla, Don Antonia de Ulloa, Isle Je Z.„4 /^/j 

ntt^'afd r "'^'""' '' '"'"''' '''''""' ^^^--' '^'^'^ ^rin,anao, k utt 

port and water battery at Cavite. The squadron is uninjured, and 01 ha 
few men are slightly wounded. Only means of telegraphing is to Ame ican 
Consul at Hong Kong. I shall communicate with him -DeTvev = A second 
message was as follows: "I have taken possession of naval stat on It 
Cavite, on Philippine Islands. Have destroyed the fortifications t bay 

an" ^rime'' ^'"^ ^T'^^"^" ^ '^^""°' ""'' ^°™P'^^^'>' ^^ -" ^^^e c[ty at 
any time. The squadron is in excellent health and spirits Snini.h loc= 

Capta,,, of Jt„„ Ckn,„m. I am assisting in protec.ing Spanisl, sick J^ 



Mckinley's administration. 17 

wounded ; 250 sick and wounded in liospital within our lines. Much excite- 
ment in Manila. Will protect foreign residents. — Dewey." 

A joint resolution, tendering the thanks of Congress, was passed May 9. 
There was a quick response on the part of Congress to the recommendation 
of the President, and $10,000 were appropriated to carry out suggestions for 
a testimonial to Commodore Dewey and his men. 

The order from the Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Long, to Commodore 
Dewey for this action was as follows : 

" Dewey, Hong Kong : — War has commenced between the United States 
and Spain. Proceed at once to Philippine Islands. Commence operations 
at once, particularly against the Spanish fleet. You must capture vessels or 
destroy them. Use utmost endeavor. — Long." 

The principal powers of Europe had taken positions of neutrality in the 
contest with Spain. A speech of Lord Salisbury before the Primrose 
League was quoted in America and Spain ; it referred to " living and dying 
nations," and while considered as significant in one country, it was read with 
indignation in the other. 

The news of the Spanish defeat at Manila, causing the entire destruction 
of her fleet in that harbor, the loss of the Navy-yard and of nine batteries, 
making a total loss of the value of more than $6,000,000, at once threw 
Spain into a state bordering upon revolt and awakened the utmost enthusi- 
asm in the United States. Commodore Dewey was raised to the rank of 
Rear-Admiral and received the highest testimonials from Congress and from 
many other bodies.'. 

The utmost eagerness was displayed in massing troops at Tampa and 
other ports on the Gulf of Mexico, and the Governors of States vied with 
the national military authorities in raising, equipping and hastening troops to 
the points of mobilization. 

The United States torpedo-boat Winsloic' was attacked by the land 
batteries while reconnoiteringat Cardenas on May 11. A shell burst on board 
the Winslow, killing Ensign Booth Bagley ^ and four sailors, and woundmg 
the Lieutenant, Quartermaster and one fireman. The cruiser Wilmington 

1 George Dewey was born in Vermont in ,836, graduated f™.'">\^ United States Naval 
Academy at Anna,,olis in ,858. He was assigned to the f'"'"!PP'^lf'^' Hudson Sep- 
with Admiral Farragct at the ca|,ture of New Orleans At the battle <'lJ^\^^^f^l'\^^^^ 
t^i.hpr 1 iSrt- his vessel the Mississppi, rm aground and was blown up Dy tne nre 01 uic 

Asiatic squadron, then at Yokohama, Japan, and became Rear-Admual May 1 1, ibgs. 

^Ensign Bagley, who met his ^^^^^^^ :^':l:^^:^ ^:^^T^t^. 
came from Rale.gh, North Carolma « J^ father was clerk """^ ^ ^ ^ Annapolis in 

Ssi^d^X^oroir^^^^ 

was the executive officer of the torpedo-boat mnslmo. 



18 THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

and gunboat Hudson were also engaged. The latter succeeded in towing the 
disabled U'iiislow from the line of danger. 

It was decided to send reenforcements to Rear-Admiral Dewey, with a 
sufficient land force to hold the Philippine Islands, and General Wesley 
Merritt was assigned to command the troops. The monitor Monterev and 
the cruiser Charleston, with transports, were ordered to leave San Francisco. 
The battleship Oregon reached Key West on May 26, and the fleet of 
Admiral Sampson returned to the blockade of Havana. The first United 
States soldiers to land in Cuba were put ashore near Cabanas Ma}' 13 from 
the steamer Giissie, and on the next day the marines cut the cables at 
Cienfuegos while the ships bombarded the batteries. During the period of 
uncertainty as to the location of the Spanish fleet under command of Admiral 
Cervera and the safety of the Oregon, Admiral Sampson of the North 
Atlantic squadron and Commodore Schley of the flying squadron had been 
cruising in the waters of the West Indies to intercept the enemy and look 
out for the American vessel. 

The following dispatch was received at the Navy Department : 

"St. Thomas, May 12 : — A portion of the squadron under my command 
reached San Juan this morning at daybreak. No armed vessels were found 
in the port. As soon as it was sufficiently light, I commenced attack upon 
the batteries defending the city. This attack lasted about three hours and 
resulted in much damage to the batteries, and incidentally to a portion of 
the city adjacent to the batteries. The batteries replied to our fire, but 
without material effect. One man was killed on board the A'l-u' York and 
seven slightly wounded in the squadron. No serious damage to any ships 
resulted. — Sampsox." The ship Yale was at St. Thomas. A seaman, Frank 
Widemark, was killed and a gunner's-mate of the Amphitrite had died of the 
heat. The ships in the action were the Nni.i York, Terror, Amphitrite, Iowa, 
Indiana, Detroit, Montgomery, JFa/npati/ck and Porter. 

At eight A. M. on the morning of May 19 the Spanish fleet under Admiral 
Cervera entered the port of Santiago de Cuba. It was not until May 29 that 
the Navy Department received advices from Commodore Schley. His squad- 
ron was off Santiago de Cuba, and the Spanish Cape Verde fleet' was in the 
harbor. Several of the Spanish ships had been recognized ; the fleet was 
probably complete, and Admiral Sampson was ordered to the vicinity. 

HEROISM OF LIEUTENANT HOBSON. 

When, on Friday, June 3, the collier Merrimac, laden with many tons of 
coal, was sunk across the channel leading into the harbor of Santiago de 
Cuba, an act of heroism in the war of the United States with Spain was ac- 
complished which will be told as long as the story of the war shall be of in- 

^The Spanish fleet then called the Cape Verde fleet had been sighted to the westward of 
the Island of Martinique, 600 miles south of San Juan, Porto Rico, on May 16, and consisted of 
the following vessels: The S])anish cruisers Maria Teresa. Viseaya, Almirante Oquendo and 
Cristobal Colon, and the torpedo-boat destroyers Plittott and Terror. 



Mckinley's administration. 19 

terest. If any doubt existed that the fleet of Spain was already " bottled 
up," as the press of the country had declared, it was now set at rest. 

The plan to block the entrance to the harbor by sinking the Menimac 
was conceived by Lieutenant Hobson and submitted by him to Admiral 
Sampson, who, approving the plan, entrusted to him its execution. Upon a 
call for volunteers to accompany him on this daring and perilous expedition, 
several hundred immediately offered themselves. Lieutenant Richard 1'. 
Hobson\ Assistant Naval Constructor, and Daniel Montague, George Cha- 
rette, J. C. Murphy, Osborn Deignan, George F. Phillips, Francis Kelly and 
Randolph Clausen formed the band who before daylight on June 3 sailed 
past the Estrella Battery, within 400 yards, behind Morro Castle, at full speed 
on the Merrimac. In the narrowest part of the channel they put her helm 
hard aport, stopped the engines and dropped the anchors, opened the sea- 
connections, touched off the torpedoes and left the Merrimac a wreck 
athwart the channel. Lieutenant Hobson and men were captured, and a flag 
of truce sent from Admiral Cervera the same day announced that they were 
uninjured and w'ould be well treated, but would be confined in Morro Castle. 

June 6, Admiral Sampson bombarded the forts at Santiago from 7 a. m. 
to 10 A. M. The ships in the engagement were the following : Marbkhcad, 
Texas, Massachusetts, New York, New Orleans, Yankee, Iowa and Oregon. 

BATTLE AT GUANTANAMO. 

On June 7, Admiral Sampson ordered the Marblchead, under Commander 
McCalla, and the Yankee, under Commander Brownson, to take possession of 
the outer bay of Guantanamo. These vessels entered the harbor at daylight 
on the 7th, driving a Spanish gunboat into the inner harbor, and took pos- 
session of the lower bay, which was held by the Marblehcad. 

June 12, an all-night contest took place between our marines and the 
Spaniards on Cuban soil at the entrance to the outer harbor of Guantanamo. 
Lieutenant-Colonel R. W. Huntington's battalion of marines from the trans- 
port Panther engaged in beating off a bush attack by Spanish guerillas and 
regulars. The fighting was continuous for thirteen hours, when reenforce- 
ments were landed from the Marblchead. Four Americans were killed and 
one wounded. Of the killed, one was Assistant-Surgeon John Blair Gibbs, 
son of Major Gibbs of the regular army, who fell in the Custer massacre. 
At 9 o'clock the firing was renewed, and it was promptly returned by thirteen 
rifles and a three-inch field gun, and shortly afterward the enemy disappeared. 
Cubans, with help from the Marblchead, about this time captured a Span- 
ish camp west of Guantanamo. June 14, the United States troops, more 
than 20,000 strong, left Key West for Santiago. There were fifty-three ships 



'Richard p. Hobson was appointed to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis from 
Alabama and entered the active service May 21, .8S5. lie was assigned to the Departtrient of 
Naval Construction and was commissioned as Assistant Constructor He was sent to Europe 
in the interest of the service. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, senior grade, on 
June 23, 189S. 



20 THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

in line — thirty-five transports, fourteen convoys, and four tenders. They left 
the bay one at a time at different hours. The Segura/ica was the flagship. 

June 15, the news from Camp McCalla, Guantanamo Bay, was that the 
brick fort and earthworks were demolished by the bombardment of the 
Tuxas, Marblehcad and Stiwaiiee. June 17, two launches from the NetvYork 
and AlassacIiKsetts reconnoitered the shore between Cabanas Bay, two miles 
west of Santiago harbor, and Guayaganaco, two miles further west. The 
launches were in command of Lieutenant Sharp and Cadet Hart, and Lieu- 
tenant Harlos and Cadet Powel. Soundings were taken, and fire was opened 
upon them from the old fort and rocks. June 19, Captain Chadwick of the 
New York met General Calixto Garcia in General Rabe's camp, which was 
eighteen miles west of El Morro, and brought him with members of his staff 
to the flagship iVt'Ti' York otx the gunboat Vixen. June 22, the dispatches to 
Secretary Alger and Secretary Long were as follows : " Playa del Este, June 
22, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C, Off Daiquiri, Cuba, June 22 : — 
Landing at Daiquiri this morning successful. Very little, if any, resistance. — 
Shafter." ' 

At 5 o'clock on the afternoon of June 22, 6,000 trained American soldiers 
were encamped in the hills in and around Daiquiri, and 10,000 more were on 
board transports off the shore waiting for launches and small boats. As a 
feint, the batteries of Jaragua were bombarded early in the day by Rear- 
Admiral Sampson's fleet for twenty minutes. These batteries were midway 
between Daiquiri and Santiago de Cuba, and forty minutes after, the New 
Orleans sent shells at the hills of Daiquiri, being followed by the Detroit, 
JVasp, Mae/lias and Suzaa/iee. June 24, at 8 a. m., four troops of the First 
Cavalry, four troops of the Tenth Cavalry and eight troops of Roosevelt's 
Rough Riders, dismounted — less than 1,000 in all — and attacked 2,000 Spanish 
soldiers in the thickets, within five miles of Santiago de Cuba. Of the killed 
were Captain Allyn K. Capron, Sergeant Hamilton Fish, Sergeant Marcus 
D. Russell, Sergeant G. H. Doherty and Corporal White — sixteen killed ; 
wounded, fifty-two ; total American strength engaged, 964. June 27, the 
front was in the vicinity of Sevilla, nine miles from Santiago, where the force 
was 6,000 Americans and 1,500 Cubans. General \V'heeler was in command 
there, with Generals Young, Lawton and Chaffee, and Santiago was plainly 
visible from this American position. Li his report General Wheeler said : 
" Three Spanish generals took part in the fight at Sevilla yesterday. Five 
wagon-loads of wounded were carried into Santiago, and many other wounded 
got there on horses or afoot. . . . The Cubans confirm the report as to the 
fine character of the fortifications around the city. Seven lines of barbed 
wire are stretched around the trenches. The Spaniards have recently dug 
deep trenches around the entire city, connecting a series of small forts." 

June 24, the Navy Department received the following cablegram: " Play a 

^ William R. Shafter was a \'olunteer officer in the Civil War, who entered the regular army 
at its close. He was appointed Colonel of the'ist United States Infantry March 4, 1S79 ; pro- 
moted to Brigadier-General Mav 3. 1897, and at the outbreak of the war with Spain, in iSgS, was 
made Major-General, and appointed to the command of the troops sent to Santiago. 



MCKINI.EV'S ADMINISTRATION. 21 

DKL EsTE, June 24 :— From a flag of truce I learned to-day that Lieutenant 
Hobson and his companions are all well. They are confined in the city of 
Santiago, four miles from Morro.— Sampson." Until the later information 
was received, the American people did not know but this little band ot pa- 
triots might have perished as prisoners or through the bombardment al- 
though they believed Admiral Cervera would save them if possible. The 
story of the heroism of Lieutenant Hobson and his band, and of others who 
had been peculiarly exposed to the severe fire of the Spanish, was repeated 
before Congress, with a message from President McKinley, June 27. June 
28, the War Department received the following dispatch from General 
Shafter -. " Off Sibonev, June 27 :— All is progressing well. We occupied to- 
day an advanced position abandoned by the enemy yesterday on the Sevilla 
and Santiago road, vv-est of San Juan River, within three miles of Santiago, and 
from which it can plainly be seen." General Shafter had been reenforced 
the day before by 1,300 troops, which had left Fortress Monroe on the Va/c, 
amid the enthusiasm of the populace. Another reenforcement was soon ex- 
pected on the Harvard. June 30, General A.W. Greeley, Chief Signal Officer 
at Washington, received a dispatch from Lieutenant-Colonel Allen, Chief 
Signal Corps Officer in Cuba, announcing that a telegraph and telephone sta- 
tion had been established at a point within two miles of the city of Santiago, 
and that the American lines were advanced the day before to Aguadores, a 
little north of east from Morro Castle. About June 28, at General Lawton's 
headquarters, five miles east of Santiago de Cuba, the American troops en- 
gaged in reconnoissances. General Shafter, with a small escort, went almost 
to EI Caney, a small town five miles northeast of Santiago de Cuba, 

July I, the War Department received the following from General Shafter 
dated at Siboney : " Had a very heavy engagement to-day, which lasted from 
8 A. M. until sundown. We have carried their earthworks, and now in posses- 
sion of them. There is now about three-quarters of a mile of open between my 
lines and the city. By morning, troops will be intrenched and considerable 
augmentation of forces will be there. General Lawton's division and Gen- 
eral Bates's brigade, which have been engaged all day in carrying El Caney, 
which was accomplished at 4 p. m., will be in line and in front of Santiago 
during the night. I regret to say our casualties will be over 400 ; of these, 
not many killed. — Shafter." 

The general assault on the city of Santiago began early in the day. 
General Lawton took possession of Caboiia, a suburb of the city, and the 
Spanish fleet in the harbor fired on the American troops. Morro Castle and 
the other forts were bombarded by the American fleet and the Vesuvius used 
her dynamite guns. 

The following dispatch was received at the War Department, Washing- 
ton, July 3 : " Playa del Este, July 3 : — Siboney office confirms statement 
that all the Spanish fleet except one warship is destroyed and is burning on 
the beach. It was witnessed by Captain Smith, who told operator. No 
doubt of its correctness. — Allen, Signal Officer." A dispatch that the 



22 • THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

destruction of Cervera's fleet was confirmed was also received at the AVhite 
House, signed Allen, Lieutenant-Colonel. 

At night, July 3, General Shafter telegraphed to the White House the 
following : " Playa del Este, July 3 : — Early this morning I sent a demand 
for the immediate surrender of Santiago, threatening to bombard the city. 
I believe the place will be surrendered. — Shafter." The latter telegram 
gave hope, after a summary of some difficulties. The losses up to date 
would aggregate a thousand, but the list was not complete. There was some 
sickness from intense heat and the exertion of battle. The wagon-road was 
kept up with difficulty on account of the rains. Generals Wheeler and 
Young were both seriously ill and would have to go to the rear, and General 
Hawkins was slightly wounded. General Garcia had reported he held the 
road from Santiago to San Luis and that the French Consul, with about 400 
Frecich citizens, came into his line July 2, w"hom General Shafter directed to 
be treated with every courtesy. 

Secretary Alger sent the following reply to General Shafter: "The 
President directs me to say that you have the gratitude and thanks of the 
Nation for the brilliant and effective work of your noble army on Friday, 
July I. The steady valor and heroism of officers and men thrill the Ameri- 
can people with pride. The country mourns the brave men who fell in battle. 
They have added new names to our roll of heroes. — R. A. Alger, Secretary 
of War." 

July 4, the Secretary of the Navy received some of the details of the 
destruction of the Spanish fleet through Admiral Sampson. The fleet 
"attempted to escape at 9:30 a. m., and at 2 p. m. the last, the Cristobal Colon, 
ran ashore si.Kty miles west of Santiago and let down her colors. The 
Infanta Maria Teresa, Oquendo and Viscaya were forced ashore, burned and 
blown up within twenty miles of Santiago. The Terror and Pluton were 
destroyed within four miles of the port. Our loss, one killed and two 
wounded. Enemy's loss probably several hundred, from gunfire, explosions 
and drowning. About 1300 prisoners, including Admiral Cervera." The 
following message was at once sent to Admiral Sampson by the President : 
" You have the gratitude and congratulations of the whole American people. 
Convey to your noble officers and crews, through whose valor new honors 
have been added to the Americans, the grateful thanks and appreciation of 
the Nation." 

On the evening of July 4, the Reina Mercedes drifted out of Santiago 
Harbor at midnight. She was seen at once. The guns of the fleet riddled 
her and she sank in the harbor. 

The joint resolutions providing for the annexation of the Republic of 
Hawaii, which had passed the House May 27, were passed by the Senate 
July 6, 1898, and at once signed by the President.^ 

1 The Hawaiian or Sandwich Islands, discovered in 1778 by Captain Cook, were united into 
one kingdom under King Kamehameha I. A disagreement between the Queen, Liliuokalani, 
and her Cabinet in January, 1S93, ^^ '° ^ "^^^ constitution was taken advantage of by an ele- 
ment of the population, mainly white American residents and descendants of earlier American 



MclvIXLEV'S ADMINISTRATION. 23 

The bombardiment of the city of Santiago, which had been delayed on 
account of the removal of the inhabitants, was anticipated to begin July lo. 
On chat day the following dispatch came from General Shafter :" " Sihoney, 
Cuba, July lo .—I have just received a letter from General Toral declining 
unconditional surrender. Bombardment by army and navy will begin as 
near 4 p. m. to-day as possible." 

General Nelson A. Miles, commanding the United States Army, arrived 
off Santiago Bay about noon, July 11. Upon arrival of the auxiliary cruiser 
Va//:, on which General Miles was passenger, communication was opened with 
Admiral Sampson, and during the afternoon General Miles landed at Playa 
del Este and communicated witli General Shafter. Negotiations upon the 
subject of surrender continued from July 3 until July 14, when Santiago was 
surrendered at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. The first announcement to the 
President was in a dispatch from a signal-service official at Playa del Este to 
General Greeley. -Adjutant-General Corbin received the following dispatch 
from General Shafter : 

" Have just returned from interview with General Toral. He agrees to 
surrender upon the basis of being returned to Spain. This proposition 
embraces all of Eastern Cuba, from Assadero on the south to Sagua on the 
north, etc." Secretary Alger received the following from General Miles : "Be- 
fore Santi.^go, July 14 : — General Toral formally surrendered the troops of 
his army — troops and division of Santiago — on the terms and understanding 
that his troops shall be returned to Spain. General Shafter will appoint 
commissioners to draw up the conditions of arrangements for carrying out 
the terms of surrender. This is very gratifying, and General Shafter and 
the officers and men of his command are entitled to great credit for their 
sincerity and fortitude in overcoming the almost insuperable obstacles which 
they encountered. — Nelson A. Miles, Major-General of the Army." A cable- 
gram from .\dmiral Sampson to Secretary Long, dated off Santiago, 2 p. m., 
read, " Santiago surrendered." 

June 17, General McKibbin had been appointed temporary Military 

settlers, who formed a Committee of .Safety, seized tlie government, deposed and imprisoned the 
Queen, and establislied a provisional government. In these proceedings they were sustained 
by the United States Minister, Mr. Stevens, who caused the marines from the United States 
war vessels in the harbor of Honolulu to be landed, ostensibly for the protection of American 
interests. This action was subsequently disavowed by I'resident Cleveland and Mr. Stevens 
was recalled. On July 4, 1S94, a republic was proclaimed and a constitution adopted, and San- 
ford B. Dole was elected President for six years. 

The area of the several islands composing the group is as follows : Hawaii, 4,210 square 
miles ; Maui, 760 ; Oihu, 6oo ; Kauai, 500 ; Molokai, 370 ; Lanai, 150 ; Niihau, qj ; Kahoolawe, 
63. Total, 6,740 square miles. At the time of the discovery of the islands by Captain Cook 
in 177S. the native population was about 200,000. This has steadily decreased, so that at the 
last census the natives numbered but .^I.org, which was less than that of the Japanese and 
Chinese immigrants settled in the Islands. A census taken early in 1897 revealed a total popu- 
lation of 109,020. UouoUilu. the capital, with a |nipulatiou of 2S,o(5i, is lighted by electricity, 
and has most of the local features of an enterprising .American city. The bulk of the business 
is done bv .'Kmericans and Europeans, .\gitation for annexation to the United .States began, 
on the part of the American population, soon after the establishment of the republic. A treaty 
to accomplish this purpose was adopted by the Hawaiian Government. The .\merican flag as 
the emblem of sovereignty was raised at Honolulu on August 12, 189S. 



24 THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

Governor of Santiago. Troops and bands were drawn u-p with some cere- 
mony, and as the chimes of the old cathedral rang out the hour of 12, " the 
military presented arms, the Americans in the large concourse of people un- 
covered, and the American flag was drawn up on the Governor's palace." 
Shortly after the flag went up, the infantry came to " order arms " and the 
band played, " Rally Round the Flag, Boys." General McKibbin called for 
three cheers for General Shafter, which were given with great enthusiasm. 
President McKinley's congratulatory dispatch was then read to each regi- 
ment. In his report to the Adjutant-General, General Shafter said : "Bat- 
talions of Spanish troops have been depositing arms since daylight in 
armory over which I have guard. General Toral formally surrendered the 
Plaza and all stores at 9 a. m. 7,000 rifles and 600,000 cartridges were re- 
ported as turned in, and disarming and turning in were to be continued the 
following day, but the list of prisoners had then not been taken." 

July 21, Thursday, American ships left Guantanamo Bay for an ex- 
pedition under the command of Captain F. J. Higginson of the Massaf/iiisetts, 
which, with the Columbia, Dixie, Gloucester -SiwA )'(7/<', formed the fleet. Major- 
General Nelson .\. Miles commanded the military expedition and was on 
board the Yale. The troops were on board the transports Nueces, Lampasas, 
Comanche, Rita, Unionist, Stillivater, City of Macon and Specialist, and were 
bound for the Island of Porto Rico. 

The \Var Department at 11:30 p. m. posted the following ; " St. Thomas, 
July 26, 9:35 p. M. : — Circumstances were such that I deemed it advisable to 
take the harbor of Guanica first, fifteen miles west of Ponce, which was 
successfully accomplished between daylight and 11 o'clock. Spaniards sur- 
prised. 

" The Gloucester, Commander Wainwright, first entered the harbor ; met 
with slight resistance ; fired a few shots. All the transports are now in the 
harbor and infantry and artillery rapidly going ashore. This is a well-pro- 
tected harbor. Water sufficiently deep for all transports and heavy vessels 
to anchor within 200 yards of shore. 

"The Spanish flag was lowered and the American flag raised at 11 
o'clock to-day. Captain Higginson with his fleet has rendered able and 
earnest assistance. Troops in good health and best of spirits. No casualties. 
— Miles, Major-General Commanding Army." 

July 26. The Spanish Government formally submitted a proposition for 
peace at 3 p. m. through the French Ambassador, M. Jules Cambon, who had 
received instructions from the Foreign Otifice at Paris to deliver to the United 
States Government the tender of peace formulated by the Spanish Minister. 
The President did not at once answer the question proposed by the French 
Minister in behalf of Spain. 

The steamer Wanderer, in attempting to land forces near Banes, in Pinar 
de! Rio province, July 27, was driven off by Spanish troops, and heavy fight- 
ing was reported at Yauco, Porto Rico. The volunteers refused to aid the 
Spanish regulars at Ponce, Porto Rico, and the port and city surrendered to 



Mckinley's administration. 



the American general on July 28, 1S98. Major-General Nelson A. Miles at 
once issued a proclamation, taking possession of the city in the name of the 
United States. 

President McKinley delivered his reply to M. Jules Cambon upon July 
30, in which he demanded that Spain renounce her sovereignty in all the 
isl'ands of the West Indies, ceding Porto Rico and all other islands save Cuba 
to the United States and leaving the disposition of the Philippines to future 
agreement. The Captain-General of the Philippines telegraphed the govern- 
ment at Madrid that he could not hold out any longer unless he was promptly 
relieved. The Spanish garrison at Nuevitas evacuated that town, setting it 
on fire after it had been shelled by the Americans. A severe land engage- 
ment took place at Malate near Manila, in which the Spanish made an attack 
upon the right flank of their enemy, but after three hours' hard fightmg they 
were driven off with a loss of 200 killed and 300 wounded. The Americans 
lost nine killed and forty-four wounded. 

Generals Brooke ^ and Schwan arrived at Ponce August i, and General 
Coppin-er^ was ordered to proceed at once with his troops to Porto Rico. 
Au-ust'z, Spain signified her willingness to treat with the United States for 
terms upon which to negotiate for peace. Upon August 7, the mam terms 
were accepted by Spain, as a basis for negotiation. Mr. McKinley insisted 
upon the terms which he had announced at first, and the protocol was signed 
a Washington, August 12, at 4:23 o'clock in the afternoon, ^ by M. Ju es Cam- 
bon French Ambassador, and Mr. William R. l^ay, Secretary of State of he 
United States, and the President immediately issued a proclamation declar- 
ing the existence of an armistice, and, pursuant to a provision of the protocol 
order s were transmitted at once to General Miles m Porto Rico, to Gener al 

1 MajcGeneval John R. B.ooUe ^^^^^^l^^^^^^iS' T^^^-n^s^-rS^ 
in .86. as Captain of a company ,n '^e Fomth Pen sylyama im V ^^^.^^^^^, ^ ^.„1^„^, ,„d 

was Colonel of the Ftftlvtlurd P^""^)-'^^^,^ ^; '" He u as appointed Brigadier-General April .. 

;^r^^ ^°.:;;:is°:ir:^'^jo;Gi;^=^'.^:-con^red m iSird., .s^s. 

.Brigadier-Genera, John J. Coppniger, w^ ^^a^^le? "u^v '^^^T^^'^:^^ 
-omarkable history. «"'">" ^-''^'i^^^ '^'H5•,e«^^^ Victor Emanuel. He came to 

listed in the Papal Guards f'^dtought stubbornly ^|^";'^, ^^^^e a Captain in the Federal 
America with letters from A'-'^h'^'^'l"'' "if ,'=^;„rl , hen closed he vva's Colonel of a New 

t:^^ i .S^td ^^•,;:S:n:;:^^l^ty^^^ia^n^ Mlkl^ley. He married the daughter 
of James G. Blaine. 

3 The procotol provided : . ^ ., ^,,;„ of sovereignty over and title to Cuba. 

",. That Spain will, relniquish all claim otsoyem^^^ ^^^.^^ and an island m the 



26 THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

Shafter in Cuba, and to General Merritt in the Philippines, and to Admiral 
Dewey at Manila and Admirals Sampson and Watson at Guantanamo, to 
cease hostilities ; and to Admiral Howell at Key West, in command of the 
blockading fleet, to raise the blockade of Cuban and Porto Rican ports. 
The orders also included the liberating of the port of Manila from the block- 
ade that has been maintained there by Admiral Dewey since May i. Copies 
of the proclamations were sent to our Ambassadors and Ministers in South 
America, and notification of the signing of the protocol was sent to all other 
diplomatic representatives of the United States. 

In the meanwhile, during the pending of communication with Spain 
through the French Ambassador, the movement of American troops in Porto 
Rico continued, and on August 4 a force of Spanish cavalry was defeated and 
twenty prisoners taken without any loss to the Americans. The same day 
the converted cruiser ^<Z(4''^/- captured three Spanish ships with 400 soldiers 
on board at Nuevitas. All the cavalry of General Shafter's command was or- 
dered to Montauk Point, N. Y., from Santiago. The monitor Monterey and 
three delayed transports arrived in Manila on August 6, and upon the next 
day the American troops were advancing upon San Juan, Porto Rico, from 
Ponce and other points upon the island. The troops met with little resist- 
ance and many of the inhabitants openly welcomed their coming. August 7, 
a Spanish vessel was sunk off Cardenas and another captured at the sa/ne 
harbor by the tug Hudson. 

The announcement of the cessation of hostilities through the signing of 
the Spanish-.\merican protocol at Washington found the American army in 
Porto Rico in readiness to begin an attack upon the Spaniards which would 
have been general in character. General Brooke had his guns trained upon 
Cayey and General Wilson had actually opened fire on Aibonito. General 
Schwan, after defeating the Spaniards at Mayaguez, was within hailing dis- 
tance of .\guadilla, upon which place he would have opened an attack within 
two hours, while General Henry, with his command, was 'within a few hours' 
march of Lares, and an order had actually been issued to push forward at all 

to i\ea;otiate ,iud conclude a treaty of peace. The commissioners are to meet at Paris not later 
than Octo!)er i. 

"6. On the signing of the protocol hostilities will be suspended, and notice to that 
effect will be given as soon as possible by each Government to the commanders of its military 
and naval forces." 

The ftillowing commissioners were subsequentlv ap]iointed bv the President : 

The United States Commissioners to negotiate for ]>eace with Spain were lion. William 
R. Day, Hon. Ciisliman K. Davis. Hon. William P. Frye. Hon. Whitelaw Reid and Hon. 
George Gray. John li. Moore was appointed secretary, J. R. McArthur assistant secretary 
of the Commissioners and Frank J Kranningan disbursing clerk. ,. 

The United .States Commissioners to arrange for the Sjjanish evacuation of Cuba were 
Major-General James F. Wade, Admiral William D. Sam])son and General M. C. Hutler. 

Tile United States Conmiissioners to arrange for tiie Spanish evacuation of Porto Rico 
were Major-General [ohn R. Brooke. Admiral Wmfieid S. Schley and General Goiclon. 

Winfield S. Schlev, commanding the second squadron of the North Altanlic fleet, 
known as the "Flying .Squadron." was appointed to the Naval Academy at Annapolis and 
entered the active service on September 20, 1S56. He served with much credit in the Civil 
War, and after )>assing througii tiie several grades was commissioned as Captain March 31, 
iSSS, and promoted to Rear-.\dmiral March 2S, 1S9S. 



MCKIXLEV'S ADxMINISTRATION. 27 

points with the utmost energy and expedition. These instructions were es- 
pecially directed against Arecibo and San Juan. The Porto Ricans were 
hilarious over the cession of the island to the United States, and everywhere 
there were repetitions of the scenes which followed the landing of the troops. 
Bands played the American national airs and the people cheered the Amer- 
icans and their flag. General Miles said that the troops would simply mark 
time where they were until the details of the evacuation were completed. 
Porto Rico had been taken without a single battle worthy of the name. 
There had been only four lights all told, and our loss in killed had been only 
three. 

Manzanillo, on the south coast of Cuba, was bombarded for more than 
twelve hours, beginning on August 12, at about 3:30 p. m., by the cruiser 
A'.-K'ark and the gunboats Siiwaiu'e, the Osceola, Hist and Alvarado. Its un- 
conditional surrender had previously been demanded and refused. The ac- 
tive bombardment lasted an hour and a half, until 5 o'clock. At dawn on the 
13th, white flags could be seen all over the town and on the hills. Soon a 
small boat was observed coming out to the Newark under a white flag. Two 
.Spanish officers boarded the jYetuark and said that they had been instructed 
to inform Captain Goodrich that a peace protocol had been signed by the 
representatives of Spain and the United States and that hostilities had 
ceased. Four cavalrymen and two peasants were killed during the bombard- 
ment, and four officers and thirteen men were wounded. Sixiy-iive iiouses 
were destroyed. 

The following dispatch from Admiral Dewey, dated August i •. was re- 
ceived by the Secretary of War on August 17 : 

" Manila surrendered to-day to the American land and naval forces after 
a combined attack. A division of the squadron shelled the forts and in- 
trenchments at Malate, on the south side of the city, driving back the enemy, 
our army advancing from that side at the same time. The city surrendered 
about 5 o'clock, the American flag being hoisted by Lieutenant Brumby. 
About 7,000 prisoners were taken. The squadron had no casualties ; none of 
the vessels was injured. On August 7 General Merritt and I formally de- 
manded the surrender of the city, which the Spanish Governor-General re- 
fused." 

The War Department on August 18 received this dispatch from General 
]\Ierritt. It was dated Manila, August 13, and was delayed in transmission : 

"On 7th inst., Admiral Dewey joined me in forty-eight-hour notifica- 
tion to Spanish commander to remove non-combatants from city. Same 
date reply received, expressing thanks for humane sentiments, and stating 
Spanish without places of refuge for non-combatants now within walled 
town. On 9th inst., sent joint note inviting attention to suffering in store fos- 
sick and non-combatants in case it became our duty to reduce the defenses, 
also setting forth hopeless condition of Spanish forces, surrounded on all 
sides, fleet in front, no prospect of reenforcements, and demanded surrender 
as due to every consideration of humanity ; same date received reply admit- 



28 THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

ting their situation, but stating council of defence declares request for sur- 
render cannot be granted, but offered to consult government if time was 
granted necessary for communication via Hong Kong. Joint note in reply 
declining. On the 13th joined with navy in attack, with following results : 
After about half hour's accurate shelling of Spanish lines, McArthur's brigade 
on right and Green's on left, under Anderson, made vigorous attack and 
carried Spanish works. Loss not accurately known — about fifty in all. Be- 
havior of troops excellent ; cooperation of the navy most valuable. 
Troops advanced rapidly on walled city, upon which white flag shown and 
town capitulated. Troops occupy Malate, Binonde, walled city, San Miguel. 
All important centers protected. Insurgents kept out. No disorder or 
pillage." 

The War Department on August 18 made public an order sent to Gen- 
eral Merritt the previous evening regarding the occupation of the city of 
Manila by the American forces. The order was as follows : 

" The President directs that there must be no joint occupation with the 
insurgents. The United States, in the possession of Manila city and Manila 
bay and harbor, must preserve the peace and protect persons and property 
within the territory occupied by their military and naval forces. The insur- 
gents and all others must recognize the military occupation and authority of 
the United States, and the cessation of hostilities proclaimed by the President. 
Use whatever means in your judgment are necessary to this end. All law- 
abiding people must be treated alike." 

Disturbances arose through a misunderstanding in the streets of Manila 
on August 25, in which one American soldier was killed and four wounded. 
Four natives were killed and several were wounded before the trouble was 
quelled. General Aguinaldo expressed his regret at the encounter, and 
promised to punish the offenders. 

The military government was working efficiently in all departments 
August 27. Local business was actively resumed. Stringent measures were 
taken to insure the sanitation of the citadel, which was crowded with prison- 
ers. 23,000 stands of arms, 10,000,000 cartridges, and an immense quantity 
of large ammunition was surrendered with nearly 15,000 prisoners. There 
was undoubtedly practical unanimity among merchants, irrespective of na- 
tionality, in favor of the permanent occupation of the archipelago by the 
Americans. Nobody thought the reestablishment of Spanish sovereignty 
possible. 

The Spanish troops at Manila received instructions August 27 to be 
ready to go to the neighboring islands at the orders of General Rios. Seiior 
Sagasta said it would be necessary to confer with the American Government 
respecting the future of the Manila troops. One difficulty of the Govern- 
ment here was to know what to do with the civil employees in the Philippines. 
As the Americans appeared to have taken charge of the administration and 
funds in the treasury, the Spanish Government thought it should transfer the 
capital to another island. 




Bt/ peDnisston of ilie Panlist Fathers. 
Rev. Clarence E. Woodman. 
Very Rev. George Deshon. 
Kev. Aloysius R. Nevins. 



Rev. Oeorge M. Searle. 
Very Rev. Isaac: T. Hecker. 
Rev. Alfred Young. 



Rev. Thomas V. Robinson. 
Very Rev. Augustine F. Hewit. 
Rev. Henry M. Wyman. 



A GROUP OF PAULIST FATHERS, ALL AMERICAN CONVERTS. 

Among; the preat Triiinijilis of Faith stands the American Oi'der of Pauhsts, fonmled i>y Father Ilecker, its first Superior Gei 
eral, an American and a Convert, as was also its second Superior General. Fatlier Hewit. who was formerly a Protestant niinistj 
as was his father. Its third Superior General, Fatlier DesJion, formerly a Lieutenant in U. S. A., is also an American Convert. 



TRIUMPHS OF FAITH. 



-^Hc...- 



In the following pages we give a list of American Converts from 
the Protestant to the Catholic Faith and ask the reader to examine 
the names and mark the strong contrast between tlie character of 
these converts and those who leave the Church. 

Considering the fact that the Catholic Church, both in her doctrine 
and spiritual treatment of souls, has equally drawn all these varied 
classes to her fold, fully satisfying all their intellectual convictions 
and spiritual aspirations, it would seem that that fact alone might 
reasonably be deemed by any reflecting person quite sufficient evi- 
dence that the Church is the true Church of God. In one word, that 
she is the Church of the divine Truth, of the div'ne Goodness, and 
of the divine Love. 

The proverb, " All roads lead to Rome," is true in so fai as it in- 
cludes all the pathways of tliose who seek the realization of their 
ideals and the fulfilment of their desires in what is higher, better, 
and purer, and in what brings them nearer to God. Rome is like 
the centre of a circle, the point of unity at which all the countless 
true radii converge from all possible directions. In that singular un- 
paralleled attraction which the Catholic Church exercises in being 
the end of the journey of so many persons of diverse gifts, tastes, 
and needs is fulfilled the prophecy of our Lord : that when He 
should be lifted up (to be seen and known of all) then would He 
•' draw all men unto Himself." 

If the life-histories of many converts could be known, even of not 
a few of those whose names are here recorded, we would see fulfilled 
in a signal manner the prophecy of Isaias concerning the Church : 

"The children of them that afflict thee shall come bowing down to 
thee ; and all that slandered thee shall worship the steps of thy feet, 
and shall call thee the City of the Lord, the Sion of the Holy One of 
Israel " (Isaias Ix. 14). 

For the material in this chapter the Editor desires to acknowledge his indebtedness to Father 
Yonng's " Catholic and Protestant Countries Compared," and to two articles in the " American Catho- 
lic Quarterly Review, entitled " Our Converts," by Richard H. Clarke, LL. D. 

I 



American Converts to the Catholic Faith, 



CLERGYMEN. 



Converts who became Catholic Priests. 

(Those known, or represented to the compiler, as having been formerly Protestant ministers, are 



designated 1:)y an asterisk — *.) * 

* Bayley, Most Rev. James Roosevelt, 

eighth Archbishop of Baltimore. 
Becker, Rt. Rev. Thomas A., Bishop of 

Savannah. 
'■' Barber, Rev. Daniel, a Revolutionary 

soldier, an Episcopalian minister, 

(Vt.). 

* Barber, Rev. Virgil Horace, a Jesuit, 

son of the foregoing ; his wife Je- 
rusha, and their children, Samuel, 
Mary, .-Vbigail, Susan, and Jose- 
pliiiie. 
Barber, Rev. Samuel, a Jesuit, son of 
the Rev. Virgil Horace Barber. 

* Baker, Rev. Francis A., a Paulist. 

* Baker, Rev. Richard Swinton. 
Barilett, Rev. William E. (Bak.). 

* Bradley, Rev. Joshua Dodson. 

* JJoddy, Rev. \Vm. (N. Y.). 
Brauii. Rev. John S. (N. Y.). 

* Barmim, Rev. Francis, a Jesuit. 
Bodfish, Rev. J. P. (.Mass.). 
Brown, Rev. Algernon A., a Paulist. 
Brown, Rev. Louis G., a Paulist. 

* Brown, Rev. Mathias, a Passionist. 

* Curtis. Rt. Rev. Alfred A., Bishop of 

Wilmington. 
Carter, V. Rev. Cliarles Ignatius Hard- 
man, V. G. (Phila.l 

* Clark, Rev. Arthur M., a Paulist. 



Clark, Rev. James, a Jesuit. 
Cyril, Rev. T., a Passionist. 
Craft, Rev. Francis M. (N. Dak.). 
Cuthbert, Rev. Fr., a Benedictine monk. 

* ("lapp. Rev. Walter C, a Paulist no- 

vice. 
Deshon, Rev. George, Lieutenant V. S. 
A., a Paulist. 

* Doane, Rt. Rev. Mgr., son of (Prot.) 

Bishop Doane of New Jersey. 

* Denny, Rev. Harmon, a Jesuit. 
Dwyer, Rev. William H. 
Dutton, Rev. Francis, (Ohio). 
Eccleston, Most Rev. Samuel, fifth 

Archbishop of Baltimore. 

* Everett, Rev. Wm. (New York City). 
Fenton, Rev. James S., (N. Y.). 
Freitag, Rev. A., a Redemptorist. 
Frisbee, Rev. Samuel H., a Jesuit, son 

of Judge Frisbee. 

* Ffrench, Rev. Charles D., (Portland, 

Me.). 
Fisher, Rev. Nevin F. 

* Fairbanks, Rev. H. F. (Milwaukee). 
Gasson, Rev. Thomas J., a Jesuit. 
Gilmour, Rt. Rev. Richard, Bishop of 

Cleveland. 
Granger, Rev. A. (III.). 
Goldschmidt, Rev. J. C. (Ohio). 

* Griffin, Rev. Charles. 



11 



SOME DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN CONVERTS. 



Ill 



Griffilli, Rev. Geo. X. 

Geyer, Rev. Adolph (N. Y.). 

Hecker, V. Rev. Isaac Thomas, Founder 

and first Superior General of the 

Paulists. 

* Hewit, V. Rev. Augustine F., second 
Superior General of the Paulists. 
The son of Rev. Dr. Nathanael 
Hewit, Congregational minister of 
Bridgeport, Conn. 

Hedges, Rev. Samuel B., a Paulist. 

* Haskins, Rev. George F., Founder of 
the House of the Angel Guardian 
(Boston). 

Hill, Rev. B. D., a Passionist. 
Howell, Rev. Isaac P. (N. J.). 

* Hoj't, Rev. W'm. Henry (Vt.). 

* Hudson, Rev. David, C. S. C. 
Langcake, Rev. Augustus, a Jesuit. 

* Leinke, Rev. Henry, companion of 

the Rev. Prince Gallitzin. 

* Lyman, Rev. Dwight E. (Bait.). 
I * Leeson, Rev. A. B. (Bait). 

I Lovejoy, Rev. John R. 

! McClellan, Rev. Wm. (Sing Sing, N. Y.). 

McMurdie, Rev. H. S. 

* McLeod, Rev. Donald. 

* Monk, Rev. Lewis Wentworth, son of 
r the Hon. Cornwallis Monk, of Can- 
P ada. 

* Monroe, Rev. F'rank, a Jesuit, great- 

nephew of President Monroe. 
Morrill Rev. Chas. Wilfrid K. (Ne.w 

London, Ct.). 
Metcalf, Rev. Theodore (Boston). 
Major, Rev. Thomas S. (Ky.). 

* Murphy, Rev. John F. 
Meriwether, Rev. Wm. A., a Jesuit. 
Neligan, Rev. J. (N. Y.). 

Nevins, Rev. Aloysius Russell, a Paulist. 

* Nears, Rev. Henry T., a Paulist. 

* Norris, Rev. Mr. (Milwaukee). 
Oram, Rev ^^'. H. 



Osborne, Rev. F. (Cal.). 

* Preston, Rt. Rev Mgr. Thos. S., late 

V. G. of New York. 
Rosecrans, Rt. Rev. Sylvester H., Bishop 

of Columbus, brother of Gen. W. 

S. Rosecrans, U. S. A. 
Robinson, Rev. Thomas V., a Paulist. 
Robinson, Rev. Dr. Henry L. 
Searle, Rev. George M., a Paulist. 
Spencer, V. Rev. F. A., Provincial of 

the Dominicans, son of a Protestant 

clergyman. 

* Stone, Rev. James Kent, formerly 

President of Hobart and Kenyon 
(Prot.) colleges, author of The In- 
vitatio7i Heeded, a Passionist. 

Sumner, Rev. John, a Jesuit. 

Simmons, Rev. Gilbert, a Paulist. 

Simmons, Rev. Wm. I. (Providence, 
R. I.). 

* Salt, V. Rev. Wm. P. (N. J.). 
Starr, Rev. W. E. (Bait.). 
Shaw, Rev. Coolidge, a Jesuit. 
Southgate, Rev. Edward, son of (Prot.) 

Bishop Southgate. 
Tyler, Rt. Rev. William, first Bishop of 
Hartford. 

* Thayer, Rev. John Thayer (Boston). 
Tillotson, Rev. Robert Beverley, a Paul- 
ist. 

Tucker, Rev. Hilary (Boston). 
Tabb, Rev. John (St. Charles' College, 
Md.). 

* Van Rensselaer, Rev. Henry, a Jesuit. 
Whitfield, Most Rev. James, fourth 

Archbishop of Baltimore. 
Wood, Most Rev. James Frederick, first 
Archbishop of Philadelphia. 

* Wadhams, Rt. Rev. Edgar P., Bishop 

of Ogdensburg, N. Y. 
Walworth, Rev. Clarence A,, son ot 

Chancellor Walworth, New York. 
Wyman, Rev. Henry M., a Paulist. 



IV 



TRIUMPHS OF FAITH. 



Waldron, Rev. Edward Q. L. 
Woodman, Rev. Clarence E., a Paulist. 
Welch, Rev. Edw. H., a Jesuit. 
Whitney, Rev. John D., a Jesuit. 



Wilson, Rev. Fr., a Dominican. 

Young, Rt. Rev. Josue M., Bishop of 

Erie. 
Young, Rev. Alfred, a Paulist. 



Converts from the Protestant Ministry who did not enter the Catholic 

Priesthood. 



Allen, Rev. George, LL. D. (St. Albans, 
Vt.). 

Adams, Rev. Mr. (Iowa). 

Adams, Rev. Henry A. (New York 
City). 

Coggeshall, Rev. G. A. (Providence, 
R. I.). 

Converse, Rev. James M. J, 

Colt, Rev. Anson T. 

Colt, Rev. A. B., grandson of (Prot.) 
Bishop Hobart. 

Egan, Rev. Dillon (Cal.). 

Fisher, Rev. Geo. C. F. (Long Island). 

Gilliam, Rev. G., afterwards physician 
(Bait.). 

Houghton, Rev. Hugh N. (Troy, N. Y.). 

Huntington, Rev. Joshua, author of 
Gropings after Truth. 

Huntington, Rev. J. Vincent, Littera- 
teur. 

Homer, Rev. Mr. 

Ives, Rt. Rev. Levi Silliman, Episco- 
palian Bishop of North Carolina. 
The founder of the Catholic Pro- 
tectory, New York City. 

Ironside, Rev, George E. (N. J.). 

Kaicher, Rev. John Keble. 

Kewley, Rev. John (N. Y. City). 

Locke, Rev. Jesse Albert. 



Markoe, Rev. Mr. (St. Paul, Minn.). 

Meredith, Rev. W. M. 

McMorgan, Rev. Pollard McC. 

McCurry, Rev. F. P. 

Oertel, Rev. J. J. Maximilian, author of 
Reasons of a Lutheran Minister for 
hecomi}ig a Catholic. 

Pollard, Rev. J. 

Powell, Rev. Wm. E. 

Russell, Rev. Edwin B., D. D. 

Russell, Rev. J. C. and family (Bait.). 

Rodgers, Rev. J. W., D. D., and family, 
(Memphis). 

Robinson, Rev. John Rliinelander, died 
a Paulist novice. 

Robinson, Rev. Wm. C, Judge of the 
Supreme Court of Conn, and Pro- 
fessor of Law in Yale Unirersity. 

Richards, Rev. Henry Livingston. 

Reiner, Rev. John M. 

Richards, Rev. John. 

Thornton, Rev. Mr. (Charleston, S. C). 

White, Rev. Calvin, grandfather ot 
Richard Grant White. 

Whitcher, Rev. Benjamin W. (New 
York). 

Wheaton, Rev, Homer (Poughkeepsie, 
N. Y.). 



Atlee, Dr. Walter Franklin (Philadel 

phia, Pa.). 
Allen, Dr. John (N. Y. City). 
Bellinger, Dr. John (S. C). 
Bryant, Dr. John (Phila.). 



THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 

Bigelow, Dr. (Mich.). 
Brown, Dr, Wm. Faulkner, 
Budd, Dr. Chas. H. 
Burt, Dr. (S. C). 
Chilton, Dr. (Va.). 



SOME DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN CONVERTS. 



Cabbiimus, Dr. T. T. 

Cooke, Dr. (111.). 

Craft, Dr. Isaac B. (Ohio). 

Drenford, Dr. George (D. C). 

Darland, Dr. Richard. 

Derby, Dr. Haskeit (Boston). 

Dean, Dr. John. 

De Normandie, Miss Dr. Myra, daughter 
of Rev. Jaine« de Normandie, 
Protestant minister (Boston). 

Emmet, Dr. Thomas Addis (N. Y. City). 

Elliott, Dr. Johnson. 

Flovd, Dr. VVm. P., son of Gov. Flovd 

' (Va.). 

Faust, Dr. (Washington, D. C). 

Greene, Dr. (Maine). 

Greene, Dr. (St. Louis). 

Gregory, Dr. Elisha H. 

Hassell, Dr. Samuel (N. Y. City). 

Harve)', Dr. John Milton. 

Hewit, Dr. Henry Stuart, son of Rev. 
Dr. Nathanael Hewit, Congrega- 
tionalist minister (Bridgeport, 
Conn.). 

Horner, Dr. W. E. 

Keyes, Dr. Edward L. (N. Y. City). 



Leffingwell, Dr. Albert. 

Lenton, Dr. Moses L. 

Locke, Dr. (Ann Arbor, Mich.). 

McLaughlin, Dr., of the Hudson Bay 

Company. 
Meriwether, Dr. Wm. A., now a Jesuit. 
Marcy, Dr. E. A. (N. Y. City). 
McMurray, Dr. Elgin T. 
Pike, Miss Dr. Lucy Johnson. 
Petersen, Dr. (Phila.). 
Pollock, Dr. Simon, Jr. 
Quackenbos, Dr. (Albany, N. Y.). 
Ruddick, Dr. Wm. H. (Boston). 
Russ, Dr. (New Me.xico). 
Reynolds, Dr. Chevalier. 
Richmond, Dr. John B. (N. J.). 
Salter, Dr. Richard H. (Boston). 
Spencer, Dr. John C. (N. Y.). 
Sterling, Dr. George A. (Long Island), 
Van Buren, Dr. William H. (N. Y. 

City). 
Warner, Dr. John C. (Boston). 
Wood, Dr. James Robie (N. V. City). 
Woodville, Dr. (Monroe Co., Va.). 
Youngblood, Dr. James M. 
Zeh, Dr. C. M. (Newark, N. J.). 



THE ARMY AND NAVY. 



Aldrich, Col. 

Beaumont, Rear Admiral J. C. 

Brisbane, Gen. Abbot H. 

Buell, Gen. Don Carlos. 

Belton, Col. Francis S. 

Brittin, Col. Lionel. 

Basket, Col. John. 

Bradshaw, Col. 

Brownson, Major Henry F. 

Cook, Gen. William. 

Cutts, Col. James Madison, nephew of 

Pres. Madison. 
Caldwell, Col. 
Clarke, Col. W. E. 
Cooper, Col. George Kent. 



Chase, Capt. Bela. 

Curd, Lieut. Thomas (died a Jesuit 
novice). 

Dearborn, Major Axel. 

Deshon, Lieut. George (New London, 
Conn.), now a priest and Paulist. 

Dodge, Lieut. 

Foster, Gen. John G., of U. S. Engi- 
neers. 

Franklin, Admiral Samuel R. (Washing- 
ton, D. C). 

Frye, Col. 

Floyd, Col. George. 

Floyd, Col. Ben. Rush. 

Fountain, Capt. S. W. 



VI 



TRIUMPHS OF FAITH. 



Graham, Gen. Lawrence Pike. 

Guest, Commodore John. 

Gerdes, Capt. F. H., U. S. Coast Sur- 
vey- 

Griffen, Capt. B. B. 

Hardin, Gen. M. D. 

Harney, Gen. VV. S. 

Hardie, Gen. James A. 

Hill, Gen. 

Hardwood, Rear-Admiral Andrew Allen. 

Hudson, Col. McK. 

Hyde, Col. 

Holbrook, Col. P. N. 

Hooper, Col. George P. 

Haldeman, Capt. 

Ives, Lieut. Joseph C. 

Jenkins, Gen. Albert. 

Jones, Gen. James. 

Johnston, Lieut. 

Kilpatrick, Gen. Hugh Judson. 

Kane, Col. George P. 

Lane, Gen. Joseph. 

Longstreet, Gen. James. 

Larned, Col. Charles. 

Lamson, Col. D. S. 

Lay, Capt., brother of (Prot.) Bishop 
Lay. 

Lyle, Capt. David A. 

IVlacDougall, Gen. Charles, surgeon. 

MacDougall, Col. \Vm. C, geologist and 
author ; brother of the foregoing. 

MacDougall, Capt. Thomas M., son of 
Gen. Charles MacDougall. 

McKaig, Gen. T. J. 

McKinstry, Lieut. 

Monroe, Col. James, grandnephew of 
Pres't Monroe. 

Montgomery, Col. L. M. 



Newton, Gen. John E. 

Northrop, Gen. Lucius B. 

Nearnsie, Major J. R. 

Nicholson, Lieut., U. S. N. 

Offutt, Major H. St. George. 

Ord, Gen. Edward O. C. 

Otis, Col. E. S. 

Ord, Capt. Placidus. 

Payne, Col. Rice VV. 

Rosecrans, Gen. Wm. Starke. 

Revere, Gen. Joseph Warren, grandson 

of Paul Revere of Revolutionary 

fame. 
Ramsay, Admiral Francis M. 
Rathbone, Col. John Cass. 
Ramson, Capt. Augustine Dunbar. 
Scammon, Gen. E. Parker. 
Stone, Gen. Charles P. 
Stanley, Gen. David Sloan. 
Sturgis, Gen. Samuel D. 
Smith, Gen. George. 
Sands, Admiral B. F. 
Strobe], Major. 
Shurtleff, Capt. Nathanael B. 
Summerhayes, Lieut. J. W. 
Spear, Lieut. 
Tyler, Gen. Robert O. 
Thayer, Gen. Russell. 
Tucker, Col. N. A. 
Troy, Col. D. S. 
Tilford, Col. 
Turner, Major Henry S. 
Vincent, Gen. Thomas McCurdy. 
Vault, Col. G. W. T. 
Whipple, Gen. A. W. 
Wayne, Gen. Henry C. 
Ward, Capt. James Harman, naval 

author. 



THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND THE LAW. 



Anderson, Hon. Wm. Marshall, brother 
of Col. Robert Anderson, comman- 
der of Fort Sumter. 



Arrington, Hon. Judge (111.). 
Atwater, Hon. Mr. (New Haven). 
Austin, Charles (Law.), (N. Y.). 



SOME DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN CONVERTS. 



VII 



Burnett, Hon. Peter H., Gov. of Cali- 
fornia, Judge ; author of The Path 
7vhich led a Protestant Lawyer to the 
Catholic Church. 

Brightly, Frederick C. (Law.), author of 
The Federal Digest, etc. 

Buel, Oliver Prince (Law.), (New York 
City). 

Bakewell, Hon. Judge Robert A. (St. 
Louis). 

Bissell, Hon. William H., Gov. of Illinois. 

Bliss, George (Law.), (New York City). 

Boggess, Judge Caleb. 

Carpenter, Gen. (Law.), Lieut. -Gov. of 
fvhode Island. 

Chandler, Hon. Joseph R., Minister to 
Naples. 

Clarke, Hon. Beverley L. 

Dent, Hon. Louis, relative of General 
Grant. 

Ewing, Hon. Thomas, Senator, Secre- 
tary of the Interior. 

Florence, Hon. Thomas B. 

Field, William Hildrelh (Law.), (New 
York City). 

Heath, Hon. Judge (N. C). 

Hurd, Hon. Frank (Ohio). 

Holcomb, Hon. Silas Wright (New York 
City). 

Hatch, Roswell D. (Law.), (New York 
City). 

LITER.\TURF., THK 

AUston, Washington (-\rt.), the celebra- 
ted painter. 

.\nderson, Henry James, LL. I)., Prof. 
Columbia College. 

.■\llen, Heman (.\rt.). Music, Chicago. 

Brainerd, Mrs. Elizabeth (Art.). 

Brownson. Orestes A., LL. 1). (Lit.), 
author. Editor of Brownson s Re- 
view. 

Baker, Prof. .Mpheus. 



Howard, George H. (Law.), (Washing- 
ton, D. C). 

Johnston, Attorney-General (Miss.). 

Johnston, Hon. J. W., Senator (Va.). 

Joyce, Hon. John (Kv.). 

Livingston, Hon. Vanbrugh, U. S. 
Minister to Russia. 

Lee, Hon. Thomas Simms, Gov. of 
Maryland. 

Mayo, John B. (Law.), (N. Y. Cityy 

Manley, Judge M. E. (N. C). 

Moore, Judge (N. C). 

Mulkey, Hon. Judge John H. (111.) 

Pugh, Hon. George E., Senator (Ohio). 

Price, Hon. Jonathan H. 

Rice, Hon. Judge (S. C). 

Rankin, Hon. Judge (Cal). 

Ryland, Hon. Judge (Cal). 

Smith, Hon. Truman. 

Sawyer, Hon. Lemuel. 

Stephens, Judge Linton, brother of Hon. 
Alex. Stephens (Ga.). 

'I'enney, Judge Wm. Jewett, jurist and 
author (N. J.). 

Troyman, Hon. James. 

Van Dyke, Hon. James A. (Detroit). 

Whittlesey, Hon. David C. 

Washington, Hon. John N. 

Weld, Hon. W. K. (III.). 

Wilkins, Hon. Judge (Mich.). 

Wilson, Hon. Ben. (W. Va). 

ARTS AND SCIENCES. 

Browne, Charles F., the humorist '" Arte- 

nnis Ward." 
Blyth, Stephen Cleveland (Lit.). 
Coleman, Caryll (Art.). 
Crawford, Marion (Lit.), novelist. 
Dorsey, Prof. Oswald. 
Dorsey, Mrs. Anna H. (Lit.). 
Dahlgren, Mrs. Madeleine Vinton (Lit.), 

wife of .Admiral John A. Dahlgren, 

U. S. N. 



\ iir 



TiaU.Ml'U.S OF FAITH. 



Erinenstrout, Prof. John S. (Lit.). 
Ellet, Mrs. Elizabeth Fries (Lit.). 
Frost, Prof. Sydney B. 
Healy, George P. A., (Art.), the cele- 
brated portrait painter. 
Hassard, John R. G. (Lit.). 
Hall, James, New York State Geologist. 
Haldeman, Prof. Samuel S., naturalist. 
Hemmenway, Mrs. (Lit.), author of His- 
torical Annals of Vermont. 
Howarth, Mrs. Ellen Clementine (Lit.), 

(N. J.). 
Johnston, Richard Malcolm (Lit.). 
Jones, Prof. Gardner. 
Keene, Laura (Lit. and Art.). 
Kitson, J., sculptor (Boston). 
Lathrop, George Parsons (Lit.). 
Lathrop, Mrs. Rose H., wife of the au- 
thor and daughter of Nathaniel 
Hawthorne. 
Le Vert, Mrs. Octavia Walton (Lit.) 
McMaster, James A. (Lit.), Editor of the 

Freeman 's Journal. 
Miles, George H. (Lit.). 
Martin, Mrs. Elizabeth G. (Lit.), wife of 

Homer D. Martin, the artist. 
Monroe, Miss Mary (Lit.). 
Mason, Miss Emily (Lit). 

FROM VARIOUS 

Allen, Miss Fanny, daughter of Gen. 

Ethan Allen of Revolutionary fame. 
Angier, Calvin (Boston). 
' Anderson, Mrs. William Marshall, 

daughter of Gen. Duncan McArthur, 

Gov. of Ohio. 
Austin, The Misses Eliza, Sara and 

Kate (Burlington, Vt.). 
Austin, Mrs. Charles (N. Y. C). 
Arnold, Mrs. William (N. Y. C). 
Arnold, Mrs. (Chelsea, Mass.). 
Arrington, Mrs. wife of Judge Arring- 

ton (111.). 



Piatt, Mrs. Louise {nee Kirby), (Lit.), 

wife of Colonel Donn Piatt. 
Poole, Thomas H. (Architect). 
Rea, Robert T. (Lit.). 
Smith, Sanderson (Naturalist). 
Stoddard, Charles Warren (Lit.). 
Starr, Miss Eliza Allen (Lit.). 
Tiernan, Mrs. (nee Frances C. Fisher), 
daughter of Col. Charles F. Fisher, 
U. S. A. The authoress " Christian 
Reid." 
Tincker, Miss Slary Agnes (Lit.), Novel- 
ist. 
Thompson, Miss Dora (Lit.). 
Wolf, George D. (Lit.), Journalist. 
Willis, Richard Storrs (Lit.), brother of 

the author N. P. Willis. 
White, John (Art.), Music. " 
Whitcher, Mrs. Frances Miriam (Lit.), 

wife of Rev. B. W. Whitcher. 
White, Ferdinand E. (Art.). Music. 
Walworth, Mansfield J. (Lit.), son of 

Chancellor Walworth, New York. 
Walworth, Mrs. (Lit.), wife of the pre- 
ceding, daughter of Col. John J. 
Hardin, U. S. A. 
Wentworth, Mrs. J. W. (Art.). 



WALKS OF LIFE. 

Abell, Samuel (Md.) 

Adams, Mrs. {nee Georgie MacDougall, 
daughter of Gen. Chas. MacDougall, 
U. S. A.), widow of Gen. John 
Adams (C. S. A.), formerly U. 
S. A. 

Adams, Mrs. {tice Conrad), wife of Dr. 
Francis J. Adams (Montana). 

Atlee, Miss Mary, a Visitation nun. 

Andrews, Miss Jessie Marguerite. 

Anderson, Mrs. E. C. (Boston). 

Barlow, The Misses Debbie, Helen and 
Anna (Vermont). 



SOME i)isri.\c;uisiii;i) amkruax coxvi:rt.s. 



IX 



Kany, Mrs. John, wife of Commodore 
Barry, U. S. N. 

Brownson, Mrs., wife of Dr. Orestes A. 
Brownson. 

Berrian, T. Chandler, son of Rev. Dr. 
Berrian, Rector of Trinity Church 
(N. Y. City). 

Blount, Thomas Miitter, his wife, Mrs. 
Elizabeth Blount, and their chil- 
dren, Thomas Miitter, William Ro- 
chester, Margaret Elizabeth, Annie 
Isabella, Charlotte Caroline, Mary 
Bonner, Alice Knight, Louisa 
Knight (Washington, D. C). 

Beekham, Miss Fanny (Va.), a Visitation 
nun. 

Beers, Miss Julia (Litchfield, Conn.). 

Bliss, Mrs. George (N. Y. City). 

Bleecker, Miss Rosalie, cousin of Arch- 
bishop Bayley. 

Bass, The Misses PLlla and Jennie, 
daughters of the Countess Berti- 
nati. 

Barber, Mrs. Jerusha, wife of Rev. Virgil 
H. Barber. 

Barber, The Misses Mary, Abigail, 
Susan, Josephine, daughters of the 
foregoing, all of whom, with their 
mother, became nuns. 

Brooks, A. E. (NT. Y. City). 

Bellinger, Edmund, Jr. (Charleston, 
S. C). 

Bellinger, The Misses Harriet, Sarah, 
and Susan (Charleston, S. C). 

Bradford, Mrs. Mary, sister of Mrs. 
Jefferson Davis. 

Bland, Mrs., wife of Hon. Richard P. 
Bland (Mo.). 

Burnett, Mrs., wife of Judge Peter H. 
Burnett. 

Boggs, Mrs., wife of Admiral Chas. S. 
' Boggs, U. S. N. 

Brent, Mrs. Sarah L. (N. Y. City). 



Boyle, Mrs. .\n1eli3, wife of Capt. Boyle ; 

also their fi\ne children (N. Y. City). 
Bostwick, Mr-s. Eliza, daughter of Pres- 
byterian missionary to Ceylon (N. 

Y. City). 
Branhardt, Joseph (N. C). 
Brewster, Miss Ann. 
Banks, Miss, niece of Maj.-Gen. N. P. 

Banks, U. S. A. (Mass.). 
Baya, Mrs. (nee Marie F. Smith), wife of 

Col. Baya, U. S. A. 
Babbitt, Mrs. {iiee Frances P. MacDou- 

gall, daughter of Gen. Chas. Mac- 

Dougall, U. S. A.),' wife of Col. L. 

S. Babbitt, U. S. A. 
Bristed, Mrs., wife of Chas. Astor (N. 

Y. City). 
Bristed, Mrs. (Mass.). 
Bowen, E. S. 
Burnett, Miss Ruth, a Sacred Heart 

nun. 
Buel, Mrs. Josephine Maria, daughter of 

Gen. Chas. MacDougall, U. S. A., 

wife of Oliver Prince Buel (N. Y. 

City). 
Buel, David Hillhouse, son of Col. 

David Hillhouse Buel, U. S. A., a 

Jesuit. 
Buel, Miss Violet M- J. MacDougall, 

sister of the preceding. 
Buel, Hillhouse A., son of Rev. D. Hill- 
house Buel and grandson of (Prot.) 

Bishop Atkinson. 
Branner, The Misses Lilian and Ruth 

(Tenn.). 
Brown, Miss Lida, niece of Commander 

Brown, U. S: A., a Visitation nun. 
Chappell, Alfred H. (New London, 

Conn.). 
Cheney, Miss ISIary (Mass.), a nun. 
Cook, Mrs., wife of Gen. Wni. Cook 

(N. J.). 
Clinton, Miss Margaret (Va.), a nun. 



TRIUMPHS OF FAITH. 



Cutting, Mrs., (N. Y.), {nee Marion Ram- 
say, D. C). 
Coleman, Abraham B. (Nantucket). 
Casewell, Henry, and family (Parkers- 
burg, W. Va.). 
Clarke, D. W. (Vt.). 
Churchill, Franklin H. (N. Y. City). 
Chase, Miss Harriet (Nantucket). 
Chapin, Lindley (N, Y. City). 
Coppinger, Mrs. John J., daughter of 
Hon. James G. Blaine. 
- Connolly, Mrs. Pierce, Foundress of 
the Nuns of the Holy Childhood. 
Clay, James B., son of Hon. Henry Clay. 
Caldwell, William Shakespeare. 
Caldwell, Mrs. Mary E. 
Clark, Mrs. Mary (Ky.). 
Chapezo, Benjamin (Ky.). 
Crump, John I. (Conn.). 
Cowles, Miss Ellen, daughter of Editor 

Cowles (Cleveland, O.). 
Curtis, Mr. and Mrs. L. A. (Buffalo). 
Catucci, The Countess {iiee Stern) 

(Springfield, Mass.). 
Cardy, Mrs. Joseph (Tampa, Fla.). 
Cooke, Mrs. Laura Wheaton Abbott, 
daughter of Commander Abbott, U. 
S. N. 
Chandler, Mrs. Winthrop, sister of Mar- 
ion Crawford, author. 
-CIaxton,-Mrs., daughter-in-law of Com- 
modore Claxton, U. S. N. 
Chetwood, Mrs. B., sister of Dr. Edw. 

L. Keyes. 
Cole, Mrs. Frances Perry (Bait.). 
Coudert, Mrs. Fred'k. R. (N. Y. City). 
Coudert, Mrs. Louis L. (N. Y. City). 
Coudert, Mrs. Chas. (N. Y. City). 
Car}', Miss Emma Forbes, sister-in-law 
of Prof. Agassiz, the celebrated 
naturalist (Mass.). 
Cenci-Bolognetti, The Marchesa {nee 
Lorillard-Spencer), (New York). 



Churchill, Miss Harriet (Boston). 
Davidson, Mrs. Anna and family (W 

Va.). 
Deshon, Miss Sarah, daughter of Rev. 

G. H. Deshon (Conn.). 
Davis, Miss Helen, sister of Admiral 
Davis, U. S. N. 
. Dana, Miss Charlotte, daughter of Rich- 
ard H. Dana, the author (Boston). 
Dana, Miss Matilda (Boston). 
Day, Mrs., niece of Daniel Webster. 
De Benavides, Mme. Frederika H. {ne'e 
Howlden), wife of Gen. Benavides. 
- De Stoeckel, The Baroness {tiee Stern) 
(Springfield, Mass.). 
Di Cesnola, Mme., {nee Mary Isabel Jen- 
nings Reid), wife of Gen. L. Palmadl 
Cesnola and daughter of Capt. Sam- 
uel Chester Reid, U. S. N. (N Y 
City). 
De Foresta, The Countess {nee Charlotte 
C. Skinner), wife of Count Alberto 
de Foresta, of the Italian Legation 
in Madrid 
Dwight, Mrs. Thomas Dwight (?h'e \^'a^- 
ren), daughter of Dr. Warren, nat- 
uralist and mother of Dr. Dwight 
(Boston). 
Drexel, Mrs. Joseph W. (New York 

City). 
Dre.xel, Miss Josephine, daughter of the 

foreg-oins:. 
Davis, Mr. Charles (Boston). 
Dean, Mrs. John (Boston). 
Darling, Mrs. Margaret (Boston). 
Edgar, Miss Constance, grand-daughter 
of Daniel Webster, a Visitation nun. 
Elcock, Mrs., {ttc'e Belle Seyfert), wife of 
Judge Elcock, (Pa.). 
-Etheridge, Miss Emma, daughter of 

Emerson Etheridge (Tenn.). 
.Edes, Miss Ella B., niece of (Prot.) 
Bishop Wainwright, of New York. 



SOME DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN CONVERTS. 



\I 



Everett, The Misses, nieces of Hon. 

Edward Everett. 
Freeman, Miss Annie, a nun. 
Floyd, Mrs. {tiee Preston), wife of Gov. 

Jolin Floyd (Va.). 
-Floyd, Mrs., wife of Dr. William P. 

Floyd (Va.). 
Floyd, Mrs., wife of Col. George Floyd 

Floyd, Mrs., wife of Col. Ben. Rush 

Floyd (Va.). The foregoing are 

sons of Gov. Floyd, who also became 

a convert. 

Field, Mrs. William Hildreth (w^ Miller) 

(Homer, N. Y.). 
Floyd-Jones, Mr. and Mrs. G. S. (N. Y. 

City). 
Fisher, Miss Annie, daughter of Judge 

Fisher (Washington, D. C). 
Frankenstein, The Countess {nk Anna 

Seabury Brewster). 
Forest-Divonne, The Countess de la 

{nee Audenried). 
Field, Mrs. {nee Mason), widow of Gen. 
Chas. Field (C. S. A.), formerly U. 
S. A. 
Fuller, Mrs. R. B. (Boston). 
Green, Hannibal (N. Y.). 
Gardes, Henry (N. Orleans). 
Guion, Mr. and Mrs. William H. (N. Y. 

City). 
Glover, Mrs. O. R. (N. Y. City). 
Guernsey, Miss Julia M. (Detroit). 
Graham, Miss M. A., sister of Gen. 
Graham, U. S. A., a Visitation 
nun. 
Gould, John M., son of Protestant min- 
ister (Boston). 
Greenough, Horatio. 
Graham, Mrs., wife of Gen. Lawrence 

Pike Graham, U. S. A. 
Geddes, Mrs. Holly, daughter of Rev. 
S. Whiting, Baptist minister. 



Hecker, Mr. and Mrs. George V. (N. 

Y. City). 
Hayes, Dr. Isaac Israel, Arctic Ex- 
plorer. 
Healey, Mrs., wife of the artist, G. P. A. 

Healey. 

Hartwell, Mrs. Anna Frances, a nun 

and Superioress of the Mission 

Helpers to the Negroes. 

Hite, Miss Mary (Va.), a Visitation nun. 

Hewit, Mrs. Catharine {nee Hurd), wife 

of Dr. Henry S. Hewit. 
Hohnes, Mrs. George (Va ), daughter of 

Gov. John Floyd. 
Holly, Mrs. S. C. (N. Y. City). 
Hudson, Miss Elizabeth, sister of Col. 

Edward McK. Hudson, U. S. A. 
Hooper, Mrs. George P. 
Hodges, Mrs. R. M. 
Henderson, Miss Mary (Ky.). 
Hunt, Mrs. William H., daughter of 

Jacob Barker (N. Orleans). 
Hall, George H. (Newark, N. J.). 
Handley, Marks White (Tenn.), a Paul- 

ist novice. 
Holly, Norman D., a Paulist novice. 
Hosford, Mrs., widow of Col. Hosford, 

U. S. A. 
Hodge, Miss (Boston). 
Homer, Miss Anna B. (Boston). 
Howlden, Mrs. (Albany). 
Ives, Mr. and Mrs. Edward. 
Ives', Mr. and Mrs. Julius (Elizabeth, 

'n. J.). 
Ives, Mrs. {nee Rebecca Seton Hobart), 

'daughter of (Prot.) Bishop John 
Henry Hobart and wife of (Prot.) 
Bishop Levi Silliman Ives of No. 
Carolina, who also became a con- 
vert. 
Jones, Miss Wilhelmina, daughter of 
the distinguished naval officer, 
Jacob Jones, a Visitation nun. 



XII 



TRIUMPHS OK FAITH. 



Jones, Miss Sarah, daughter of Judge 
Jones (N. Y. City), a Sacred Heart 
nun. 

Johnston, Mrs. Richard Malcolm, wife 
of the author. 

Johnson, Mrs. Andrew {nee Rumbough). 
(N. C). 

Jaboeuf, Mrs. M. R., daughter of Bor- 
den M. Voorhees (Washington, D. 
C). 

Johnston, Mrs., wife of Judge John W. 
Johnston (Va.), daughter of Gov. 
John Floyd. 

Johnson, Mrs., wife of Col. Johnson, U. 
S. A. 

King, Mrs. Jane (Mass.). 

King, Miss Frances, daughter of fore- 
going, a Sister of Mercy. 

Kearney, Mrs., wife of Gen. Philip 
Kearney. 
-Kearney, The Misses, daughters of the 
foregoing. 

Ketchum, Mrs. Annie Chambers. 

Lay, Mr., son of Protestant Bishop of 
Maryland. 

Lee, Mrs., wife of Dr. Charles Carroll 
Lee (Bait.). 

Lafarge, Mrs. Margaret Mason, grand- 
daughter of Commodore Perr}', U. 
S. N., wife of the artist, John La- 
farge. 

Lord, Thomas Scott J. (N. Y.). 

Lewis, Mrs. Letitia, wife of Col. Wm. 
Lewis and daughter of Gov. John 
Floyd, of Va. 

Lyons, Mrs., wife of Judge Lyons (Va.). 

Lynch, Mrs. Howard {ne'e Fonda), (N. 
York City). 

Lippitt, Miss Caroline (Cambridge, 
Mass.). 

Lowe, Mrs. Hester, wife of Gov. Lowe 
(Md.). 

Larwill, Mrs. J. M. (Ohio). 



Linton, Miss Sarah, niece of Col. Gr* 
ham, U. S. A., a Visitation nun, 
author of Linton' s Hisfortcal Charts. 
Lord, Haynes (N. York City). 
Lord, Mrs. Hicks (N. Y. City). 

Livingston. Mrs. Vanbrugh (nee Jaudon) 
(New York City). 

-Levin, Mrs., wife of Lewis C. Levin, the 
'• Know-nothing " leader in Phil 
delphia. 

Longfellow, Miss Marian, relative of the 
poet Longfellow. 

Lindsley Mrs., wife of Hon. James G. 
Lindsley (Kingston, N. Y.). 

Le Briton, Mrs. Albert {ne'e Margaret 
Stockton MacDougall), daughter of 
Admiral David Stockton MacDou- 
, gall, U. S. N. 

Lyman, Miss Florence, first cousin of 
Gen. Theodore Lyman, U. S. A. 
(Boston). 

Monroe, Miss, daughter of President 
Monroe, a nun. 

Marks, Mrs. C. C. {nee Fonda), (New 
York City). 

Mann, Mrs., wife of Lieut. Mann, U. 
S. N. 

Miller, Henry Wisner (New York City). 

Meynen, Hermann (N. Y. Cit)'). 

Meagher, Mrs. Thomas Francis. 

Metcalf, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore (Bos- 
ton). 

Metcalf, Miss Julia (Boston). 

Mason, Miss Emily (Va.). 

Miles, Mrs. George, mother of Geo. H. 
Miles, the author. 

McKintry, W. E. (Cal). 

McKintry, Mrs. Annie Hedges Living- 
ston, (Cal.). 

Medary, Samuel, son of Gov. Medary 
(Ohio). 

McCarthy, Mrs., wife of Senator Dennis 
McCarthy (Syracuse, N. Y.). 



SOME DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN CONVERTS. 



XIII 



Matthews, Mrs., wife of Capt. John P. 

Matthews (Va.). 
Miles, Mrs. Josephine C. (N. Y.), a 

Dominican nun 
Miles, Miss Marion H., daughter of 

foregoing, a Visitation nun. 
McVickar, Lawrence. 
Miller, Mrs. Mary E. (N. Y. City). 
Miller, Miss Elizabeth, daughter of the 

foregoing. 
McCallum. Mr. and Mrs. Hiram l^Lock- 

port, N. Y.). 
Martin, Miss Helen, daughter of Senator 
Martin, of Kansas, a Sister of 
Charity. 
Moore, Henry (Wheeling, W. Va.). 
McLaughlin, Mr. (San Jose, Cal.). 
Marie, Mrs. Joseph {>tee Josephine Hub- 

Dard), (N. Y. City). 
Metcalf, Mrs., wife of Judge Metcalf 

(Boston). 
Metcalf, Miss Julie, daughter of the 

foregoing. 
Matthews, Mrs. Nathan (Boston). 
-. McAnerney, Mrs. John {n<:e MarshaH), 
crranddaughter of Rt. Rev. Dr. 
Moore, first (Prot.) Bishop of Vir- 

McKinstry, Mrs. («« Lawrence), wife of 
Lieut. McKinstry, U. S. A. 

Morro-h, Mrs. Richmond (nee Mary F. 
jrckson), a relation of Pres. An- 
drew Jackson, wife of .Dr. Clifford 
T Morrogh (New Brunswick, N. J.). 

Morrogh, Mrs. (fth Cornelia Perry), 
second wife of Dr. C.T. Morrogh 

Morrogh, Mrs., wife of Dr. Archibald C. 

Morrogh. 
Morrogh, Mrs. («/.' Margaret Phihpse) 

wife of James Morrogh (Law.), 

(New York). 
Mahony, Mrs., widow of Hon. J. J- 

Mahonv. e.\-consul. 



McEnroe, Mrs. Eugene {>i/e Eleanor F. 

Peck). 
Northrop, Lucius, father of Bishop 

Northrop (S. C). 
Newton, Mrs., wife of Gen. John E. 

Newton, U- S. A. 
Kevins, Mrs. Richard, daughter of Gov. 

Medary, of Ohio. 
Neeser, John G. (New York City). 
O'Shaughnessy, Mrs. J. F., daughter of 
Judge Nelson J. Waterbury (N. Y. 

Citv). 
O'Connor, Mrs. M. P. (San Jose, Cal.). 
Olds, Miss Mary, daughter of Senator 

Olds (Ohio). 
O'Hare, Mrs., wife of Dr. O'Hare 

(Rochester, N. Y.). 
Olds, Henrv (New York City). 
0-Keefe, Mrs. P. M., wife of Dr. 

O'Keefe (Boston). 
Palmer, Mr. and Mrs. Julius A. 
Pierce, Wellington Augustine (Buffalo). 
Pychowska. Mrs. daughter of Gen. Wm. 

Cook (N. J.). 
Peel, Miss Kate, daughter of Senator 

Peel (Ark). 
Preston, Miss Henrietta (Va.). 
Pearce, The Misses Julia and Fanny (Bos- 

ton\ both Visitation nuns. 
Peter Mrs. Sarah (philanthropist), daugh- 
ter of Gov. Thomas Wonhington 

(O.). . . 

Patten, Miss Martha (Va.), a Visitation 

nun. 

Pearce, Mrs. Thomas (Phila.). 

Pearce, Miss Rebecca, daughter of pre- 
ceding. 

Perce, Miss (Boston). 

Post, A. M. (New York City). 

Parker Mrs. and son (Boston). 

Quincv', Miss Mary, great-grand-claugh- 
ter of the celebrated Josiah Qnincy, 
statesman. President of Harvard 



XIV 



TRIUMPHS UK FAITH. 



College ; also direct relative of 

Pres. John Quincy Adams (Boston). 

Robertson, Miss Sadie (New Orleans), 

a Visitation nun. 
Riggs, George W. (Washington, D. C). 
Rosecrans, Mrs., wife of Gen. W. S. 

Rosecrans, U. S. A. 
Ripley, Mrs. Sophie Willard, daughter 
of Francis Dana of Cambridge, 
Mass., wife of George Ripley, 
journalist. 
Raynor, Miss Susan, daughter of Hon. 
Kenneth Raynor, and niece of 
Bishop Polk. 
Ripley, Miss Plicebe, daughter of Rev. 
Samuel Ripley, Unitarian minister, 
a Visitation nun. 
Robinson, Miss Lodoiska, daughter of 
Dr. Henry Robinson (New Bruns- 
wick, N. J.). 
Raven, Miss, daughter of Thos. Raven 

(N. ¥.). 
Robertson, Miss, daughter of Rev. 
John Robertson, a Sister of Mercy. 
Ruspoli, The Princess (iiee Marie Jose- 
phine Curtis), wife of Prince Eman- 
uele Ruspoli, the Mayor of Rome. 
Ritter, J. (Yonkers, N. Y.). 
Rasin, Hanson (.Md.). 
Rasin, Miss Matilda (Md.). 
Seton, Mrs. Eliza A., foundress of the 

Sisters of Charity in U. S. 
Scott, The Misses Virginia, a nun ; 
Cornelia, wife Lieut. Scott, of U. 
S. A. ; Ella, wife of Mr. McTavish 
(Bait.) ; Camilla, wife of Mr. Hoyt 
(N. Y.). The four daughters of 
Maj.-Gen. Winfield Scott, U. S. A. 
Starr, Mrs. W. D., Superioress of the 
Sisters of the Divine Compassion 
(N. Y. City). 
Springer, Reuben R. (philanthropist), 
(Cincinnati, Ohio). 



Storrs, Mrs. Annie Isabella {nee Blount), 

(Washington). 
Smith, The Misses Lucy Eaton, late 
Mother M. Catherine de Ricci, Do- 
minican prioress ; and Isabel Mcln- 
tyre, also a Dominican nun, daugh- 
ters of Baldwin Smith (N. Y.). 
Spooner, Mrs. Mary Ann Wetmore, wife 
of Col. Alden Spooner (Brooklyn). 
Smith, Mrs., wife of Gov. Smith (Ala.). 
Semmes, Mrs. Thomas J. (N. Orleans). 
Semmes, Mrs. B. X- (Memphis). 
Smith, Miss Anna E., daughter of Ad- 
miral Joseph Smith, U. S. N. 
Sedgewick, Miss Jane (Stockbridge, 

Mass.). 
Salter, Mrs. Richard H. (Mass.). 
Salter, Miss Edith Agnes (Mass.). 
Smith, Mrs. Ida Greeley, daughter of 

Horace Greeley. 
Salter, Miss Mary J., daughter of Chap- 
lain Salter, U. S. A. 
Salter, Miss Helen J., a Sister of Mercy. 
Salter, Mrs., wife of Dr. R. H. Salter, 
Boston, daughter of Rev. Dr. 
Woods, Prof, in Andover Seminary. 
Sprague, Mrs. Harriet Ewing {nee God- 

dard), (Boston). 
Smyth, The Misses Emma, Agatha, 
Dorthula, Frances, daughters of 
Capt. Harold Smyth (Va.). 
Schley, Mrs. (Milwaukee). 
Stephens, Mrs., wife of Judge Stephens 

(Ga.). 
Snowdon, Miss Eliza (Md.), a nun. 
Smith, Miss Martha (Va.), a nun. 
Smith, Mrs. Leonard, niece of the Hon. 

John Jay. 
Scammon, Mrs. {nee Stebbins, of Spring- 
field, Mass.), wife of Gen. E. P. 
Scammon, U. S. .'\. 
Spilman, Miss Mary (Va.), a Visitation 
nun. 



SOME DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN CONVERTS. 



XV 



Sartwell, Miss Mary E. (N. York). 

Shea, Mrs., wife of the author John Gil- 
mary Shea (Elizabeth, N. J.). 

Sturgis, The Misses Nina, Mary, and 
^Elia, daughters of Gen. Samuel D. 
Sturgis, U. S. A. 

Stickney, Mrs. Harriet (Boston). 

Tuckerman, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel P. 
(Boston). 

Thomas, Mrs. Henry Theodore, daugh- 
ter of James Goddard (New York 

Citv). 
Tyler, Mrs. Julia Gardner, widow of 

President Tyler. 
Tyler, Miss Margaret, daughter of the 

foregoing. 
Thayer, Henry Adams (Mass.). 
-Thompson, M'iss Margaret, formerly a 
member of a Protestant sisterhood. 
Taylor, The Misses Emma and Clara, 

nieces of Laura Keene. 
Trautmann, Miss Elizabeth (D.C.), a nun. 
Travers, Miss Elizabeth (D. C.), a nun. 
Torrens, Miss Mary (Mass.), a nun. 
Turner, Miss Mary (Va.), a nun. 
Thompson, Mrs. Valentine (Ky.). 
Throop, Francis H. (Brooklyn, N. Y.). 
Troth, Miss Emilie (Phila.). 
Turner, Mrs. Sarah E., mother of Lieut. 

James H. Turner, U. S. N. 
Taylor, Mrs. Watson (Boston). 
Van Buren, Mrs., wife of Dr. Wm. H. 
Van Buren (N. Y. City), daughter 
of Dr. Valentine Mott. 
Van Zandt, Eugene (N. Y. City). 
Van Rensselaer, Miss (N. Y.), a Sister 

of Charity. 
Voorhees, The Misses Eliza. Marion R., 
Ella and Catherine, daughters of 
Borden M. Voorhees (Washington, 

D. C). 

White, Mrs. Richard P. {nie Earle), of 
Nantucket (Phila ). 



Walley, Thomas (Boston), uncle of Wen- 
dell Philips. 
Waggaman, Thomas E., great-nephew 

of President Tyler. 
Waggaman, Mrs., sister of President 

Tyler. 
Waggaman, Miss Sarah, daughter of 

foregoing, a Visitation nun. 
Whittier, Miss Harriet, niece of Admiral 
Smith, U. S. A., and cousin of the 
poet Whittier. 
Ward, Mrs. Anna H. B., and sisters, 
Mrs. Elizabeth H. Van Zandt, 
Mrs. Sarah B. Hunt, daughters of 
Jacob Barker (New Orleans). 
Wentworth, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. (New 

York City). 
Wilber, Joshua (Lockport, N. Y.). 
Wi.xon, Miss Emma, Prima Donna Mile. 

Nevada. 
Wood, Dr. James Robie and sisters, the 
Misses Jennie C, Mary E., Annie 
K. and Alfred O., grandchildren of 
Thomas Walley (Boston). 
WiUeits, Miss Anglesia (Brooklyn), a 

Sister of the Divine Compassion. 
Wilson, Miss Edith, formerly member of 
a Prol.. sisterhood (New York Cny). 
Wilson, Miss Maiy, a nun. 
Worthingron, Mrs. Lewis (Cincinnati). 
Worthington, Mrs. George (Cleveland). 
Willis, Mrs., sister of (Prot.) Bishop 

Phillips Brooks. 
Williams, Mrs., wife of Gen. Robert A. 

Williams, U. S. A. 
Wondbridge, Miss Madeleine, a nun. 
Woodville^ Mrs., daughter of Dr. Carey 

Breckenridge. 
Webb, Mrs. Nehemiah (Ky.). 
Wilmer, John Richard, son of Rev. Si- 
mon Wilmer and brother of (Prot.) 
Bishop Joseph Wilmer. 
Winthrop, Miss Augusta Clinton, daugh- 



XVI 



TKrjMl'U.S UF I'AITH. 



ter of Thomas Lindall Winthrop 
(Boston) ; descendant of Gov. John 
Winthrop of Mass., and the greai- 
granddaughter of Gov. De Witt 
Clinton of New York. 

White, Mrs. John {nee Schirmer), New 
York City. 

Winslow, Mrs. (n'ee Isabel Frances Dur- 
yea), wife of Charles Sherman Win- 
slow. 

Wiswall, Miss, granddaughter of Rev. 
Dr. Berrian, Rector of Trinity 
Church (N. Y. City). 



Wliitc, Mrs. Joseph Eddings (N. Y. City). 
Whiteley, Mrs. Isabel, descendant of 

(Prot.) Bishop Jewell (Phila.). 
Wyman, Mrs., mother of Col. Powell T. 

Wyman, U. S. A. 
Ward, Mrs. Thomas (Boston). 
Walton, Mrs. Jeanette (Boston). 
Young, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas (N. J.), 

and sons, George A., Alfred and 

Henry. 
Young, Mrs. Edward (Ga.). 
Yates, Mrs. {ne'e Roberts), widow of 

Capt. George M. Yates, U. S. A. 



i-t 



°-!3 



^A v^ 



.^'^• 






..■i' 



■^^. 



'^. <i^ 



o 0' 






» I \ " V 



\' . •- 



-«.,."^ '^^"V 









r 






^oo'' 



\V ^c^ 



>0 c;. 






■^'j- ^ 



■^ 






■^^..^v 



"^'j. ^ ' 






.••y' 






^/. <^' 









V , s •><■ f ^^ 






.r 






. -^^ 









x^\- 









O. .0- 






^^' 






■\V 



,\-' ■^;, 



-X*- 



.'V 



v^"^ ■%. 'A 



V^ ^- 



v.^ 












.0 



.^'' 









.^ 



■J- -Y 






1^0 



OO" 



.0- 






, ^'^ % 



^•^,v\ 



• .-„-V N^ 


"% 






*^. 


%/^ 


,/-%.. 




'A* .i* "* 






^<P 



"■^^ v^^ 







"f^ 


>^^ 








- 






■^0 


^^. 






'-><. 




V . 






Ty 




'>. 






'/ 

V" 


V. 




' ^- 






'V S" 


.4 




'■■3,- 

y 










.^' -^.. 


.A 


o 















^^N^ 


./ 


o. 








A-" 




4> 




■—• 








.-^"^ 




^ 




















0^ 




'1 .,*^ 




- 












vT ., •> 






.^^^' 






% 


/" 




%.<♦" 




%■ 






.^'' 









'V- 

.0 . 



s*^ '-K 






x^^^' •'^^. 



^^ 



"^^. C^ 






^■^ ■^=^. 









-. '.%■■ 












...s^% 






' .6^ 






-^ -O. 





vO 


o 








\ 


^. 






(V ' .0 






~b 




■^ ^,0^ 


*^ 


o f) 




, '-- 


% ^'^'"^ 






' 


\.,^* 


> '^/>. 








.s'^ ■% 


^ •>'; 








oV' - 


'•' 








V 


















i 



.•\' 





*>. * ■- ^ ^ 




■■' -' 


%^ 




.#^^. 


.v^^' -^^ 






.,N 



^- >^ 



--. S*^ 









